Whenever I think about Christmas, I think about food, gifts, family, and being on holiday. Christmas was always a great day. It’s the whole month of December, but what made it so great were the traditions, which made it feel Christmassy. We would clean the house and set up the Christmas tree on the 1st of Dec, especially near the window, because my mom said it would give those walking or driving past hope. As a child, there were the gifts and the nice things you eat, and family that came from far to enjoy the holidays with you. But as I grew older, I learned it was more than that.
We were always taught about Jesus Christ—who He was and what He did. I felt happy when we talked about Jesus Christ, but when I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I started to understand His work and purpose and came to a deeper love for Him. Now, as a mom, Christmas is not about food or gifts; it’s about the light of Christ that comes from seeing the joy on my kids’ and family’s faces and spending time together. It’s celebrating the Savior by feeling the same joy and happiness He wants us to feel.
Christmas is a time of happiness, joy, love, and forgiveness. It’s a time to be an example and to show how much we love our Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Michelle Myrtle Antoine
The Christmas season has always been an exciting time for me. While it is full of commercial activity everywhere, for me it has always been a reminder of something much more important, the birth of the Savior.
I can recall when I was much younger and the branch organized a Christmas carol. I was always excited to go and sing. I remember riding in the back of a brother’s truck, which was decorated with lights, as we drove to members’ houses and sang. Even though we sang the same songs at each home, I felt increasing warmth each time. I believed strongly in the words of those hymns—songs like “Joy to the world, the Lord is come,” and “The First Noel the angel did say.” It meant so much not to be alone in singing those words and to hear others sing along with me. It felt powerful and inspiring to testify openly that I believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
In my family, we have a tradition of coming together for Christmas and sharing a feast. It always brings joy to give or receive gifts on this day. When I was young, I loved receiving gifts, and now that I have my own family, we continue the same tradition of sharing a meal together and exchanging gifts.
Another tradition is offering a family prayer on Christmas and on New Year’s Day—a prayer of thanks for the blessings we have received and a plea for opportunities to share the gospel message around us. These traditions have always led me, even from a young age, to think about my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ when we pray. Amid all the gifts and excitement of the day, there has always been a moment to reflect on something more important: the blessings of a loving Heavenly Father for giving us His beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
- Desire Nicholas Warren Antoine
