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President David O Mckay declared, “True happiness comes only by making others happy. The practical application of the Saviors doctrine of losing ones life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to do kind deeds of service.”

It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and obedience which will bring peace on earth because it means good will toward all men.

Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the worlds busy life and become more interested in people than things.

President Monson said, “To catch the real meaning of the Christmas spirit we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the spirit of Christ”.

What is it about the holiday season that makes us want to serve more and do more for others?

What creates that desire in us to be more charitable?

This time of year as we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and all that it entails. We find ourselves thinking more of the Savior, his birth and the sacrifice he made for us. His life was one of unlimited service, he never ceased to give all of himself to the benefit of others. His life was about us, it was about saving our lives.

It seems that at this time of year we are more prone to open our doors and find ways in which we might become little ‘s’ saviors to others in need. We are taught in the Doctrine and Covenants that we are to bring souls unto Christ.

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (D&C 18:15-16)

The Hymn ‘Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy’ teaches a very valuable lesson of our responsibility as saviors of men.

The first verse reads,

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy. From his lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning; send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save.

What a blessing it is that we have the opportunity to be reminded of this important responsibility each year. What a blessing it is that we have that burning desire that causes us to reach out to others.

The unfortunate thing is how quickly some retreat to the busyness of everyday living. Forgetting the importance of reaching out to those in need. It seems that as soon as the trees are set on the curb and the lights taken off the house, it is so easy for us to forget this spirit which for a time has filled our hearts.

I would like to suggest a few things we can do to ensure that we carry this spirit of Christmas or the spirit of Christ throughout the entire year.

1. Pray for this spirit to continue with us each day.
“And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.” (3 Nephi 18:20)

The spirit of this season seems to just automatically happen each year, as we start buying gifts and baking goodies. As the travel plans evolve and the exciting times of being with family draws closer and closer. But then as automatic as it comes it goes. It requires more work for us to maintain this spirit throughout the year, which is why we must rely on the the Lord to assist us. It has been promised that if we ask we shall receive.

2. Seek opportunities to help others and share the spirit of Christ that fills our hearts
“And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.” (Mosiah 4:21)

During this time of year the opportunities seem endless because the needs of others become more apparent. The hardships that have been felt by many over the past year were felt even more this Christmas as parents struggled to hold to the traditions of Christmas giving for their children. These hardships will remain for many throughout the coming year as unemployment continues to rise. We are all at different levels when it comes to the help that we can and are able to provide, but by doing what we can where we can, the Lord will continue to bless us.

3. Be bold in the things the spirit prompts us to do
“Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.” (Alma 5:46)

Understanding how the Lord speaks to us and knowing his voice when we hear it is important if we are going to follow through on our desires to serve. The Lord sometimes provides us the opportunities we seek at times we may not be ready for them. He may do this as a test to determine the level of our commitment and the sincerity of our desire. It becomes important that when we are seeking and asking for these opportunities from the Lord that we act on them when they are presented. If we fail to act we may find the Lord will be hesitant to give us more of these opportunities.

4. Share your experience and strengthen others testimonies
“But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.” (D&C 6:31)

As we learn, by faith, the gospel doctrines. We will then have opportunities to teach others. We will find that we can inspire others to reach out and bless those around them. Our testimonies are powerful tools we can use to inspire and motivate each other to take action and do the things we have been commanded to do. Our experiences become sacred and special, they strengthen our faith and our resolve to do the things that God has asked us to do.

Let us find more determination to carry this sacred creed throughout the whole year. As we do, we will find more joy and happiness then we ever thought possible. Our families will become more united and the love we have for all mankind will increase as we seek for ways to help and lift our Brothers and Sisters. This life is the time for us to prepare to meet our God, and if we are to accomplish our goal of returning to His presence we must become more like our Savior Jesus Christ. We must follow in his footsteps doing as he did, blessing those in need.

It is my prayer that we will have more resolve to pray for the spirit of this season to continue with us each day, and that we might also seek out opportunities to help others. May we be bold in those things the spirit prompts us to do and have courage to share our testimonies and experiences.