grateful receivers.

Christus statue inside the visitors center at the D.C. temple. (picture taken by yours truly)

There is something about the Christmas season that brings people from all walks of life together.

In the past few years Christmas has become more commercialized, hence making Christmas insignificant. For some it may be all about the gifts as to what they are going to receive. For some it is mostly about giving.

Christmas is a time where you talk to the people you hardly ever talked to before. It's about forgiving your enemies, getting along better with your neighbors, extending a hand to a stranger, and talking to those long distance in whom you only reach out to during Christmas.

It is a time where more smiles, & hugs are exchanged, kinder words are said, gifts are given, and God is obeyed.

Today we had a special Christmas program at our church in which various members of our congregation participated in singing, and we even had the time to sit and watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.

It was a beautiful service, and as I observed those that came to worship I was in awe at the energy members of our congregation had in expressing love to one another. The spirit of Christ is indeed strong this time of year, and it was so nice to see those that don't attend often. So nice. 

Hearing the words of the First Presidency about what Christmas means to them was as always inspiring, and I'd like to share some of my favorite excerpts from each of their talks.

"Therefore, we have it within us to experience this Christmas season with the wonder and the awe of a child. We have it within us to say, "My heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God"-The Giver of all good gifts." 

~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Success in giving joy at Christmas usually involves help from others. It is rarely found in solitary effort. Joining with others spreads the joy and makes it more lasting. And perhaps most important, invoking faith in the Savior, the Creator and source of all lasting happiness, invites the pure love of God, which is the greatest of all gifts, and the sure source of enduring joy.

~President Henry B. Eyring

There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart-and our neighbors as ourselves. It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much; he who gives time gives more; but he who gives of himself gives all. 

~President Thomas S. Monson

Besides hearing our lovely daughter sing "When Mary Sang Her Lullaby", and watching the Christmas devotional via satellite my favorite part of today was seeing the love being shared inside the chapel.

Just as the First Presidency mentioned in said quotes seeing our brothers and sisters hugging, shaking hands, talking, laughing, sharing tears of joy (my tears), exchanging cards with gifts, and hearing the words "Merry Christmas" was a beautiful sight to see. I can never fathom any of us being ungrateful receivers.

To me-that is a sign of having the very best Christmas.

I hope that we will always remember the greatest gift of all which is the Savior, and that we will always be grateful receivers not only at Christmas time, but throughout the years to come.