One of the wonders of this season is how it seems the whole Christian world purposefully looks for and fills their lives with emblems of remembrance at Christmas.
Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, said these emblems at Christmastime are meant to help all remember Jesus Christ, “the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth (Isaiah 40:28).”
In her remarks during the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional on Sunday, Dec. 3, Sister Browning taught how remembrance is a gift from God — “so we do not forget the Giver, so that we come to feel His limitless love for us and learn to love Him in return.”
Using the theme of remembering, Sister Browning pointed out how the season’s scents, sights, sounds and symbols remind people of the Savior.
For example, people can see themselves as modern-day wise men and women, looking at stars on top of Christmas trees and glistening lights all around them and seeing the signs to guide and direct their journey toward Jesus Christ, “the light of the world.” They then can carry that witness forward to others.
And those who love and care for children are like present-day shepherds keeping watch over a flock.
“Do we not remember to whisper these ‘good tidings of great joy’ into the ears of our children as a testimony? So that when they, with childlike wonder, spy Christmas colors of reds and greens, gold and white, they remember the perfect and pure atoning sacrifice of their Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who offers them the gift of salvation and new and eternal life,” Sister Browning said.
Every good gift
“Every good gift cometh of Christ,” teaches Moroni 10:18. Sister Browning explained that the Savior gives gifts that are not temporary, partial or prone to erosion, like the world offers. But Jesus Christ gives enduring and essential gifts, including:
- Gifts of the Spirit, such as knowledge, wisdom, testimony and faith.
- The gift of the Holy Ghost.
- The gift of eternal life.
Reflecting on these good gifts that have come into one’s life allows one to see the Lord’s hand in that life.
“While at times our minds and hearts may wander and wane from Him, His constancy assures us that the Lord does not forget us — at Christmas or any other time,” she said.
The Lord keeps His promises. He remembers the covenants He made with His people. He hears and remembers prayers. He remembers to forgive as many times as someone repents. He remembers to send His Spirit to be with those who make efforts to “always remember Him” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79).
Remembering and spiritual momentum
Sister Browning said remembering God inspires people to more spiritual momentum and invites them to act in godly ways. President Russell M. Nelson has invited everyone to remember to “let God prevail in your life,” “give Him a fair share of your time,” “seek and expect miracles,” “end conflict in your life” and “be a peacemaker.”
“Christmas can be an opportunity to act on these invitations and draw liberally on our natural inclinations to remember to think of Jesus Christ more, be receptive to reflecting on the miracle of His birth, and feeling and acting upon a greater sense of fellowship with God’s children,” Sister Browning said.
Remembering Jesus Christ during this time comes as people convey Christmas greetings to friends, family and strangers; give gifts as expressions of love; be generous to those in need; and emphasize the importance of traditions that make Christmas different and distinct.
“Special meals, certain stories and holiday trimmings can serve as mementos for our collected memories. Even our strengthened desire to be more charitable at this time of year can call attention to our intention to remember to be grateful,” she said.
Sister Browning said people — wherever they live in the world — should remember to pay attention to the variety of symbols that invite them to look for Christ, who brings joy to the world and is the Son of the living God.
In all that is done at this time of year, “let us not fail to remember the true Giver — He who never forgets us and gives us power to remember Him through His Spirit, at Christmastime and all the time.”
