Christmas Traditions Around Christ

 

Seeking Christ in Our Christmas Traditions

By Larry and Lisa Laycock

We decided to see what all of our Christmas traditions and decorations could teach us about Jesus Christ.

Tree illustration by David Green

Prophets and apostles have taught us to always seek Christ “but especially at this time of the year—Christmas.”¹ Years ago our family spent an entire Christmas season attempting to do this.

We decided that year to “put on” our spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear testimonies of our Savior in everything Christmas. Here are just a few of the testimonies of Christ that we discovered. We hope that you and your family will discover your own insights as you choose to see and hear Him in your Christmas traditions.

Christmas trees: In the familiar Christmas tree tradition, we found evergreen boughs that triumph over the death of winter. They testify of everlasting life, the Resurrection, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Christmas tree reminded us of the tree of life that grows true, or straight, heavenward—seeking light. This caused us to ask ourselves, “Do we do the same?” Our Christmas tree became a treasured gathering place to reflect upon how we can point our lives heavenward by staying on the covenant path.

Christmas lights: In Christmas lights, we found a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World and that by His light, we are able to find our way back to our heavenly home. With this in mind, every Christmas light we enjoyed became a bright reminder of our Savior.

Christmas stars: Christmas stars reminded us that wise men and women follow the light of truth in their search for Jesus Christ. Just as the Wise Men of old followed a star’s guiding light and found the Christ child (see Matthew 2:9–11), we too can be equally blessed as we choose to follow the spiritual light of the gospel that illuminates the covenant path of discipleship, guiding us home to eternal life.

Christmas wreaths: The holly wreath reminded us that Jesus will one day return to earth to reign as King of kings, and we began to see that a wreath-like “crown of righteousness” awaits those who keep their faith in Jesus Christ (see 2 Timothy 4:7–8).

Baked treats: Baked goods and treats reminded us that Jesus describes Himself as “the bread of life” (John 6:35) and that the name of Jesus’s birthplace, Bethlehem, actually means “house of bread.” When we give or receive baked Christmas goodies, we think of Jesus, the Bread of Life, and His willingness to sustain us and take our burdens upon Himself. He provides warm and comforting relief through forgiveness.

Candy canes: The beautiful white color of these unique Christmas treats brought Christ’s purity to our mind. The curved shape caused us to think of the shepherd’s crook and how Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who will watch over and protect us, His sheep (see John 10:11–12, 14). The sweetness of the candy reminded us to never substitute evil for good—or bitter for sweet, as Isaiah warns will happen in the last days (see Isaiah 5:20).

Our family’s experiment to seek Christ in everything Christmas richly rewarded us in unexpected ways. We found witnesses of Christ all around us, even in customs such as Christmas stockings, Santa Claus, and Christmas pajamas. We did the spiritual work necessary to see and hear witnesses of Jesus throughout the entire Christmas season.

Intentionally seeking Christ in Christmas continues to add significance and splendor to the way we celebrate the season. We hope that as you seek Christ in Christmas, the Spirit will guide you to the testimonies that Heavenly Father wants to teach you and your family.

We testify that choosing to intentionally “rivet our focus on the Savior”—as President Russell M. Nelson encouraged us to do during the 2020 First Presidency Christmas devotional²—invites the Spirit and helps us to become more content to linger among the cherished sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and testimonies of Christmas.

The authors live in Utah, USA.

Christmas means Giving

“What Shall I Do Then with Jesus Which Is Called Christ?”

By President Gordon B. Hinckley

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Christmas means giving. The Father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is no true worship.

What Will You Give For Christmas?

"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He 'went about doing good.' As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours."

Thomas S. Monson

Inn Keeper

"Each of us is an inn keeper who decides if there is room for Jesus."

Neal A. Maxwell

Visit Someone at Christmas

Is there someone for whom you should provide service this Christmas? Is there one who awaits your visit?
During this season, the hearts of those who are confined reach out and yearn for a Christmas visit.
There is yet time this year to extend the helping hand, the loving heart, and the willing spirit—in other words, to follow the example set by our Savior and to serve as He would have us serve. 

Thomas S. Monson

• PG 4 DECEMBER 2015
• MAKE TIME FOR THE SAVIOR

Show the Spirit of Christmas

This Christmas, as the spirit of the season permeates our hearts, let us do something that expresses our feelings in an outward way, showing that we understand that the babe born in Bethlehem is the real Redeemer. President Howard W. Hunter (1907–95) gave some practical advice that helps us do that:

“This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express yourgratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.”

Gary E. Stevenson, "The Reality of Christmas," Ensign, Dec 2014, 25.

Modest Gifts

Gifts can be part of a cherished tradition, but they can also detract from the simple dignity of the season and distract us from celebrating the birth of our Savior in a meaningful way.

I know from personal experience that the most memorable Christmases can be those that are the most humble. The presents of my childhood were certainly modest by today’s standards. Sometimes I received a mended shirt or a pair of gloves or socks. I remember one special Christmas when my brother gave me a wooden knife he had carved.

It doesn’t take expensive gifts to make Christmas meaningful. 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Fill the World with Christ's Love," Ensign, Dec 2014, 4.

This Christmas Season

 “Perhaps this Christmas season we might each resolve to approach our Father in Heaven humbly in prayer and petition the power of His Beloved Son to be with us in our daily walk and to free us from our personal forms of captivity, great or small.”

Elder Bruce D. Porter, “Come Let Us Adore Him,” Ensign, Dec 2013, 25

Seek the Christ

"Christmas and some of the cherished traditions of the season remind us that we, like the Wise Men of old, should seek the Christ and lay before Him the most precious of gifts: a broken heart, and a contrite spirit. We should offer Him our love. We should give Him our willingness to take upon ourselves Him name and walk in the path of discipleship. We should promise to remember Him always, to emulate His example, and to go about doing good.

"We cannot offer Him the gift of perfection in all things because this is a gift beyond our capacity to give--at least for now. The Lord does not expect that we commit to move mountains. But He does require that we bring as gifts our best efforts to move ourselves, one foot in front of the other, walking in the ways He has prepared and taught."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Curtains, Contentment, and Christmas," 2011 First Presidency Christmas Devotional, available at lds.org/broadcasts.

Not Home For Christmas

"On this Christmas I send my love to every missionary, every man or woman in the military, every student, and every employee and traveler who won't "be home for Christmas," as the carol says. Keep your faith. Look for the good in your situation. Do something kind for someone. Seek Christ devoid of wrapping and tinsel. You will find that despite external circumstances, Christmas-like the kingdom of God-is "within you" (Luke 17:21)."

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Christmas Within You," Ensign, Dec 2012, 12. or From "A Mission Christmas," Church News, Dec. 17, 2011, 10.

The Spirit of Christmas

"The spirit of Christmas is something I hope all of us would have in our hearts and lives-not only at this particular season but also throughout the year.

"When we have the spirit of Christmas, we remember Him whose birth we commemorate at this season of the year.

"...I wonder if we might profit by asking ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give to Him or to others at this precious season of the year?

"May I suggest that our Heavenly Father would want each of us to render to Him and to His Son the gift of obedience. I also feel that He would ask us to give of ourselves and not be selfish or greedy or quarrelsome."

President Thomas S. Monson, "Rediscovering the Christmas Spirit," Ensign, Dec 2012, 4.

Our Gift to Him at Christmas

"Considering all that the Savior has done--and still does--for us, what can we do for Him? The greatest gift we could give to the Lord at Christmas, or at any other time, is to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, worthy to attend His holy temple. And His gift to us will be the peace of knowing that we are prepared to meet Him, whenever that time comes....

"Indeed, wise men and women still adore Him."

Elder Russell M. Nelson, From a devotional address delivered at Brigham Young University on December 10, 2002.