Booklet: A Christmas Dress for Ellen: Thomas S. Monson

This is a story from President Monson, the master story teller.  It is adapted form the First Presidency Christmas Devotional 1997.  Christmas stories always choke me up, and this is no exception.  It is because people as so willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others.  This is about a family living in Canada, who had no prospects for Christmas, or for even having Christmas Breakfast let alone presents.  She had sent a letter to her sister living in Idaho with a list of their needs, at the request of the sister.  The citizens of Malad, Idaho sacrificed to meet those needs.  However no package had arrived in Canada.  father had been to town, and stayed until noon checking the railway and the post office.  However, sacrifice was not over.  The packages arrived late Christmas Eve at the post office.  The postman, George Schow, was going to leave the delivery until after Christmas.  However, after prayer, he felt he had to go, even with the snow, and the distance.  His own horses were worn out, so he borrowed horse and sleigh, and took his older son with him.  They would not arrive until after 3:30 a.m.  Mother was still awake, worrying about her children.  It was five before they started the trip back to town, to arrive around noon.  They wore the husband's clothes for the return trip after warming theirselves by the fire.  Their own clothing was wet and cold.  This gave mother just a few hours to set everything out for Christmas.  When the children woke they smelled bacon cooking for breakfast.  Ellen was last to wake, as she know they would have no Christmas.  However, she found a red Christmas dress.
That is what Christmas is about.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional: 2015

https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/christmas-devotional/2015/12?lang=eng&vid=4649217759001
We attended the Christmas devotional last night.  President Uchtdorf gave a very inspirational message talking about the origins of the carol: "Carol of the Bells."  This is one of Tony's favorites.  The whole presentation was excellent.

First Presidency Devotional 2014

https://www.lds.org/church/events/2014-christmas-devotional?cid=HPTU120214555&lang=eng

We would love for you to join us for The First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  This Sunday 12/7/14

We will by attending the stake center on Northland this year at 7 p.m.  At this session there will be chocolate milk and cookies.
The live devotional is at 5 p.m. on BYUTV or LDS.org.

Elder Uchtdorf, The Perfect Christmas vs. the Sublime Christmas

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-0010-president-dieter-f-uchtdorf?category=topics/christmas
The perfect Christmas is unattainable, as sooner or later something will go wrong, the dinner may be burned, the baby may cry, we may over extend etc., etc.  However if we focus on the Savior, and give Him our love, we can have a sublime Christmas.  The Savior gives us immortality, forgiveness and eternal life.  These gifts are given through the atonement.  We should keep the fire of the Spirit of Christ in our hearts the entire year. 

Remember God's Gifts to You to Give Good Gifts to Others

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-0020-president-henry-b-eyring?category=topics/christmas
This is from the 2011 Christmas Devotional.  It is very moving as we remember gifts of light to us.  This presentation includes a very good editing of the Bible Videos and the nativity story.  May we keep in mind this sacred events which surround the Christmas story.

Heading for Christmas

We held our family sing-along last Monday with some success.  It went well, although only sparsely attended.  Sheri invited Sam’s family.  Sam is Tony's friend from school.  They are very nice.  They live in the Lathrop Ward boundaries.  Sam and his mom and two younger siblings came.  We also had the Binghams and Charity and Anthony.  We did a little reading from "A Christmas Carol."  It was fun.  The first half was a’capela as Randy was working.  She played when she came home.  Camberly is getting big fast.  She is fun though.  

We had the first rehearsal for the ward party.  We are singing "Behold the Condescension of God" which has never been sung before.  It was rough as our pianist wasn’t there.  However I think it is doable.  It is coming together.  The Elders and high priests are doing the party this year so we are having deep fried turkey.  We will see how it turns out.  Miranda and I are also going to sing the Mary and Joseph lullaby.  I do not know what else is on the program. 

Mom has been doing Stars this year.  This is a jazz dance group directed by Terry Wardle Slaugh.  Mom was in San Jose Friday for dress rehearsal.  I caught the end of it and then helped set up chairs.  We saw some people from the Strawberry Square area when we ate at Wendy's.  Sheri and Randy went back out for two performances this last Saturday and they did the Creche exhibit in Palo Alto.  There is performance of Starzz at Christmas-in-the-Park this week. 

I watched the Christmas devotional.  That talk, "What Happened Next?" by the primary president was very good.  

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2013/12/what-happened-next?lang=eng 

President Monson Christmas Devotional 2011: Because of Him

Christmas Devotional messages are timeless, as is this by President Monson where he talks of his annual reading habits where he finds the spirit of Christmas.  He then testifies that Jesus came, and because of that we can receive remission of our sins.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-12-0040-president-thomas-s-monson?category=topics/christmas

Merry Christmas from President Eyring

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-12-0020-president-henry-b-eyring?category=topics/christmas

President Eyring talked about the first perfect gift of Christmas, the offering of God's Son as a gift for all mankind, to set us free.  He then talked about our efforts as worldly people to give good gifts.  In giving, both giver and receiver are reminded of the gift of Jesus Christ.  He also pointed out that missionaries, in partnership with Jesus Christ, offer the gift of eternal life.  He then talked about families offering gifts of music.  We can sense love singing with our families.  He also wonders if one day we will join with angels in singing those same hymns.

Merry Christmas from the First Presidency

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-043-good-tidings-of-great-joy-the-birth-of-jesus-christ?category=topics/christmas

This is so beautiful, each of the members of the first presidency testify of Christ, with Christmas scenes throughout.  Jesus is our savior, and his birth is a real, holy event.  May we find peace in this time or worship, and remember the reason for the holiday is the gift of a redeemer.  I am looking for Christmas devotional this year.

2012 Christmas Devotional

If anyone is still seeking the true meaning of Christmas, I invite you to check out the Christmas Devotional.  President Uchtdorf talks of being good at accepting gifts, President Eyring about how special gift s can help us find peace and President Monson about finding the peace of Christmas through service, and tells the story of his old primary teacher.  The tabernacle Choir also sings.

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/christmas-devotional/2012/12?lang=eng&vid=2006359549001