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Despite all the distractions around them, Latter-day Saints can see to it that Christ is at the center of their Christmas celebration, said President Thomas S. Monson on Dec. 4.
"I, with you, have witnessed during the past few days and weeks what has become over the years the annual commercialization of Christmas," said President Monson during the annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional. "I am saddened to see Christmas becoming less and less about Christ and more and more about marketing and sales, parties and presents. And yet, Christmas is what we make of it."
President Monson offered a message of peace and hope to thousands gathered in the Conference Center, which was adorned with Christmas lights, trees and poinsettias. His counselors in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor, also offered holiday messages centered on the Savior.
Hundreds of thousands of Church members around the world heard the devotional, broadcast on the Church's satellite system, BYUTV and on KBYU in Utah.
Music for the evening was provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square.
During his remarks, President Monson told the worldwide congregation that they can establish Christmas traditions for themselves and their families, which will help them capture and keep the spirit of Christmas.
"For almost as long as I can remember, I have had a particular tradition at Christmas time," he explained. "My family knows that just before Christmas I will read again my Christmas treasury of books and ponder the wondrous words of the authors. First will be the Gospel of Luke—even the Christmas story. This will be followed by a reading of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens and, lastly, rereading The Mansion, by Henry Van Dyke."
Each of these inspired writings, he said, touches his inner soul and brings to him the spirit of the Savior.
For example, A Christmas Carol, tells the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and of the visits he receives from Jacob Marley, his deceased business partner and the ghosts of Christmas past, Christmas present, and Christmas yet to come.
"Scrooge is such an unpleasant soul that his name has become a universally accepted term for a mean or miserly person," President Monson explained. "During the course of the night before Christmas, Scrooge is shown what he once had in his life, what he has in the present, and what his life will be if he remains on the path he has thus far chosen.
"He is able to recognize the error of his ways. He learns that happiness can come to us if we forget self and worldly gain, concentrating instead on helping others and learning to embrace the love of family and friends."
President Monson also spoke of his reading of The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke, which, he said, is similar in nature to the story of Ebenezer Scrooge.
The book features John Weightman, a man of fortune, a dispenser of political power, a successful citizen.
"One evening John sat in his library in a comfortable chair contemplating his wealth. Before him were spread descriptions and pictures of the Weightman wing of the hospital and the Weightman Chair of Political Jurisprudence, as well as an account of the opening of the Weightman Grammar School," recounted President Monson. "John Weightman felt satisfied. He had built a large fortune, and when he gave he wanted to be recognized. His philosophy toward giving could be summed up in his own statement, 'No pennies in beggars' hats! Try to put your gifts where they can be identified.'"
However, he picked up the family Bible which lay on the table, turned to a passage and read to himself the words: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."
President Monson said the book seemed to float away from John Weightman and he slipped into a deep sleep.
"As he dreamed, John Weightman was transported to the Heavenly City. A guide met him and others whom he had known in life and advised that he would conduct them to their heavenly homes. ... One after another the travelers were led to their own mansions, and went in gladly; and from within, through the open doorways, came sweet voices of welcome."
But John Weightman was led instead to a open field, bare and lonely looking. In the center was a tiny hut.
John learned that "only that which is truly given, only that good which is done for the love of doing it" counts in heaven.
"The voice trailed off as John Weightman was awakened by the sound of the clock chiming the hour. … He had slept the night through. Changed by the message of his dream, he yet had a life to live, love to share and gifts to give."
President Monson said those readings never fail to bring him the spirit of Christmas.
"The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things," he said.
"The spirit of Christmas is something I hope all of us would have within our hearts and within our lives, not only at this particular season, but throughout the years."
President Monson said a wise Christian once urged, "Let us not spend Christmas. . .but let us keep Christmas in our hearts and in our lives."
That, he said, "is my plea tonight, because when we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.
"There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ."
