Following is the 2023 First Presidency Christmas message, released Nov. 23 and signed by President Russell M. Nelson, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring:
The Christmas season is often associated with gifts. The most desirable gifts are those offered to us by our loving Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. These gifts are made possible because Jehovah condescended to come to earth as the baby Jesus. He was born of an immortal Father and a mortal mother. He was born in Bethlehem under the humblest of circumstances. His was the holy birth foreseen by prophets since the days of Adam. Jesus Christ is God’s transcendent gift — the gift of the Father to all of His children (see John 3:16). That birth we joyfully celebrate each Christmas season.
The Savior’s infinite and perfect love moved Him to atone for all of God’s children. That gift — the Atonement of Jesus Christ — allows all of His other gifts to be ours.
We testify that God lives! Jesus is the Christ — the Messiah. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His Church, which He directs.
Russell M. Nelson
Dallin H. Oaks
Henry B. Eyring
The First Presidency
