Members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are posting Christmas messages on their social media accounts.
The first posts from Monday through Sunday, Dec. 15-23, highlighted the Biblical account of the Savior’s birth, Nativity sets, having faith in Jesus Christ and seeing Him as one’s Friend and more.
This compilation of Christmas posts was first published on Dec. 17 will be updated regularly through Dec. 25.
President Oaks: ‘Christmas is also a time for forgiving’
“Christmas awakens in us a desire to extend ourselves beyond our normal ties of love and friendship,” said President Dallin H. Oaks in a video posted Sunday, Dec. 21, on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.
The heavenly proclamation of “on earth peace, [and] good will” (Luke 2:14) was not limited just to those for whom one already has feelings of love and affection, the President of the Church said.
“It directed goodwill to casual friends, to strangers, even to enemies,” President Oaks added. “Christmas is also a time for forgiving, a time to heal old wounds and restore relationships that have gone awry.”
In wishing merry Christmas to each and all, President Oaks invited: “May we all feel God’s love for us and show that love toward our neighbors during this special season.”
President Christofferson: ‘Pure and simple truth’
President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency, posted videos Dec. 15 on YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram of an old family video showing two grandsons retelling from memory the Luke 2 story of Christ’s birth.
“What stands out to me about their version the most is the pure and simple truth of this Biblical passage. Jesus Christ was born of humble circumstances, yet lived the most important life ever lived,” wrote President Christofferson.
“May we remember His glorious birth and live His teachings during this Christmas season.”
Elder Uchtdorf: ‘Remember what matters most’
In a video posted Dec. 19 to X, Facebook and Instagram, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “Perhaps more than any other season, Christmas invites us to pause, breathe deeply and remember what matters most.”
He recalled winters as a boy in Germany being cold and with few resources. But Christmas always felt warm, he said — not because of what his family had but for the feelings of hope and love and a sense that God was near.
“The heart of Christmas is the message of a loving Father in Heaven who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring light into our world and into our individual lives,” Elder Uchtdorf said.
Elder Bednar: ‘Joy to the world’
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered a simple Dec. 18 post on Instagram, Facebook and X — a century-old painting of the birth of Jesus Christ and a selection of the lyrics of a well-known Christmas hymn.
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King!” cited Elder Bednar from the Christmas hymn “Joy to the World,” written in 1719 by English minister and hymnist Isaac Watts.
His posts offered a view of N.C. Wyeth’s 1912 oil painting known as “The Nativity.” Showing the moment when the shepherds first came upon the baby Jesus, the painting was originally titled: “It was, then, not a dream. This was the sign unto them.”
Elder Cook: The lessons of ‘good tidings’
In a Dec. 18 post on Facebook, X and Instagram, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cited lessons learned from the account of angels who brought “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10).
The message was one of faith, not fear, the intention was to share glad tidings, and the words were filled with great joy, he wrote. The angels hoped their message would reach all people, they praised God, and they spoke of peace and goodwill.
“When you interact with others — whether in person or online — will you consider the lessons that each of us can learn from the angelic tidings in Luke 2?” invited Elder Cook. “The world needs glad tidings right now more than ever.”
Elder Andersen: ‘Let us be faithful’
In Dec. 17 posts on Instagram, Facebook and X, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles assured that, for those who have faith and trust in the Lord, all will be well in the end.
He underscored some of the uncertainties leading up to Christ’s birth — Mary wondering about the course before her, Joseph questioning his place and the roles of a manger, shepherds and angels.
“In our times of uncertainty, in our days of trouble and difficulty, in our struggles, let us be faithful,” Elder Andersen wrote. “Jesus came that holy night. And because He came, the billions who have lived upon this earth will live again and may, if they choose, inherit eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God.”
Elder Rasband: ‘Jesus Christ is our Exemplar’
In a video posted Dec. 15 to YouTube, X, Facebook and Instagram, Elder Ronald A. Rasband shared messages of the Savior as excerpts from a recent Utah Valley Institute devotional in Orem, Utah. He counsels viewers to form loving friendships and find wise and faithful mentors.
“Our most cherished friend is Jesus Christ,” he taught, adding, “In friendship, as in every other principle of the gospel, Jesus Christ is our Exemplar.”
Elder Rasband wrote: “My dear friends, may we be among those Saints and angels who at Christmas prepare Him room in our hearts and come to know Him as your Savior, your Mentor and your Friend.”
Elder Stevenson: ‘Our celebrations of His birth’
In a video posted Dec. 19 on X, Facebook and Instagram, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles acknowledged Christmas as a time of worship, family gatherings and giving, then recapping last month’s unveiling of the Light the World Giving Machine kiosks in Kansas City, Missouri with government leaders and representatives of the Kansas City Chiefs NFL organization.
He recounted watching Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, after the unveiling of the Giving Machine kiosks, step up and purchase one of every available item to donate — from goats and chickens to clothing and rent and utility assistance.
Said Elder Stevenson: “I think the Lord smiles down upon us as He observes our celebration of His birth and our recognition of Him as the Light of the World and Son of the living God.”
Elder Renlund: ‘The spiritual gift of knowing’
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recounted listening to his father reading Luke 2 each Christmas and the account of Mary and Joseph bringing the baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. Accompanying the annual reading was his testimony of the living Redeemer and his invitation that “you can know it, too.”
In his Dec. 15 posts on Facebook, Instagram and X, Elder Renlund said, “My father and mother knew who that babe in Bethlehem was and what He would accomplish. This knowledge transformed them. It has transformed me.
“This Christmas, seek the spiritual gift of knowing of the living reality of the Savior of the world. You can know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He atoned for your sins. This knowledge is longer lasting than any gift you will receive this or any other Christmas because it can transform you.”
Elder Soares: ‘The spirit of Christmas in our home year-round’
Speaking of his collection of small Nativity scenes from visits worldwide, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said several years ago, he and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, decided to leave all of their Nativity sets out on two large shelves in their home to remain throughout the year.
“That tradition helps us keep the spirit of Christmas in our home year-round,” he wrote on posts on X, Facebook and Instagram.
“Every day as we look at those Nativity scenes, they gently remind us of the Savior’s central role in our lives,” Elder Soares wrote. “They remind us that peace on earth now (see Luke 2:14) and eternal happiness in the next world depend on honoring the covenants we have made with the Lord.”
Elder Kearon: ‘Focus on His great gift’
In a Dec. 23 post on X, Facebook and Instagram, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited readers to both look up, focus and to seek.
Over a photo showing a heavenward gaze toward the stars, he wrote: “Take time to be still, to breath, to wonder. Look up. Focus in on His great gift — the knowledge of who you truly are and the understanding that trails here are fleeting and that joy here is just the beginning of joy to come.”
And in the accompanying text, Elder Kearon added: “Believe that there is a particular gift in this season for you. Seek for quiet, solitary moments when you can ponder, pray and feel the loving-kindness of the One whose birth makes any joy in any life possible.”
Elder Caussé: ‘Jesus Christ is real’
In a video posted on Instagram, X and Facebook, Elder Gérald Caussé of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained his family’s favorite Nativity scene — or crèche. It is patterned after the village of Provence in southern France during the French Revolution in the late 18th century, when the government closed churches for one Christmas Eve.
Villagers modeled crèches after their village, with figurines representing the people and their professions, Elder Caussé explained. Biblical figurines would be added as Christmas approached, with the baby Jesus placed on Christmas Eve.
Elder Caussé wrote: “I love displaying nativities in our home at Christmastime — but it’s more than a tradition. Jesus Christ is real. He is the center of our home and worship. His gospel is the gospel of joy."
