Church Leaders Share Christmas Messages at First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional

During tonight’s annual Christmas Devotional for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leaders shared Christmas messages of Christ, peace and joy. Watch the full devotional above, or read some highlights from the evening below.

L. Whitney Clayton, Presidency of the Seventy

• “It’s good to be like little children sometimes, and no better than at Christmas.”
• Let go of the “Scrooge” within yourself.
• We each face moments in our lives when great joy can seem distant due to illness, failure, problems, death and facing the demands of life. But “fear not.”
• Because of the Savior, fear will never triumph and no earthly problem need be long.
• If we accept the Savior’s invitation to follow Him, lasting fear will banish.

Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President

• The things that matter most are those of the gospel and the family.
• “Have faith, have hope, live like His Son. Help others on their way.”
• “When times are difficult we can make the choice to turn from Him and struggle through our difficulties alone, or we can make the choice to turn to Him.”

David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

• Stand firm and steadfast in the faith.
• The day Jesus was born, was a day of deliverance for the believers.
• In every season of our lives and in each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear and provides protection.
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and lives today.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency

• Too often the spirit of Christmas can become overshadowed and lost.
• “I invite each one of us to acknowledge and offer a heartfelt gratitude to the generous One.”
• As we shop for gifts, as we give and receive them, let us take time to contemplate the gifts God has showered upon us.
• “Remember the generous One. For He is the gift giver.”
• He gives us peace, joy, abundance, love, salvation, protection, and eternal life.
• “He is the light and the life of the world.”
• May we give profound and heartfelt thanks to our almighty God, who has given to all of His children wings to fly.