Our family heritage is a great blessing, but it is not a substitute for our diligent and intentional search for a personal testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and the truths of His restored gospel.
Our family legacy and traditions are very helpful, but in and of themselves they are not enough for us to build upon the rock of our Savior....
A personal testimony comes in response to our sincere and dedicated quest to want to know for ourselves and then to act upon the impressions and the knowledge received...
Becoming a lifelong disciple of Christ is a process, the sum of multiple small, daily, personal and spiritual events.
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 Lord has not
been so explicit in providing us religious customs along the order of feasts
and festivals to remind us of the blessings we receive from Him today. However,
the practice of having traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is
ours to enjoy should be something every
family should try to keep alive.”
Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
taught five things parents can do to create stronger family cultures. He said:
“These suggestions for creating stronger family
cultures work in tandem with the culture of the Church. Our strengthened
family cultures will be a protection for our children.”
1.“Parents can pray in earnest, asking our Eternal
Father to help them.”
2.“They can hold family prayer, scripture study,
and family home evenings and eat together as often as possible.”
3.“Parents can fully avail themselves of the
Church’s support network.”
4.“Parents can share their testimonies often with
their children.”
5.“We can organize our families based on clear,
simple family rules and expectations, wholesome family traditions and rituals,
and ‘family economics.’”
From “Becoming Goodly Parents,” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 28.
“For both new and old
members of the Church, here are five practices that can change our lives. These
are commandments of God and will help us remain faithful, even in the face of
trials and temptations. If we follow them, these practices will allow the Holy
Spirit to continue to strive with us and strengthen us as our testimonies grow:
1.Hold personal and family scripture study.
2.Hold personal and family prayer.
3.Hold family home evening.
4.Pay an honest tithe.
5.Serve others by fulfilling Church callings.
“If we establish the traditions of a righteous people, we
will overcome our weaknesses, progress in our faith, and not fall away.”
Elder James B. Martino, “Repentance That Brings Conversion,”
Ensign, Sept 2012, 61.
“One fun tradition we practiced in our family had a lasting impression on us. When the children in the family reached the age of one, they were placed at one end of a room and the family at the other end. Where the family was gathered, four objects were placed on the floor: a baby’s milk bottle, a toy, a small savings bank, and the scriptures. The child was then encouraged to crawl to the objects and select one of them.
I selected the bank and turned out to be a financial executive. My brother Ted selected the scriptures, was a great lover of books all his life, and became a lawyer. My brother Bob was the well-rounded member of the family. He crawled up and sat on the scriptures, picked up the bottle in his mouth with one hand and held the toy in the other hand. He became an accountant. He lived a well-balanced life.”
Elder L. Tom Perry, From an address delivered on January 15, 2010, at Utah Valley University.
