President Oaks’ Christmas call to embrace all with Christian love

The holiday season reminds us to serve all, promote understanding and love, and help outsiders feel at home.

This was the message from President Dallin H. Oaks at the First Presidency’s annual Christmas devotional on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

The First Counselor in the First Presidency taught that peace and goodwill apply not only “to those for whom we already feel feelings of love and affection, such as fellow citizens of our church or country, residents of our hometown or neighborhood, or ordinary people. “Culture. The heavenly hosts proclaimed their goodwill to all people—to casual friends, to strangers, even to enemies.”

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The warm feeling of the holidays — which President Oaks defined as the light of Jesus Christ — is an opportunity to “break barriers and promote understanding and love among people of all races, faiths and national origins,” he said.

Latter-day Saints should remember that Moses taught the children of Israel to embrace “the stranger who lives among you” (Leviticus 19:33–34).

“We should teach our children to be kind and considerate of everyone,” said President Oaks. “I am saddened when I hear from non-LDS parents in this community who are concerned because they believe their sons and daughters have been excluded or ostracized from LDS children or youth. I hope such cases are rare and decreasing. We should be the kindest and most considerate of all peoples.”

With this Christ-like spirit guiding our thoughts and actions, President Oaks said, “We will each make our own contribution to the eternal goal: ‘Peace on earth, goodwill toward men.'” It is time for all of us to do so to do, because every day we come one day closer to the coming of the Lord.”

President Oaks noted that more than a billion people will celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas. He invited everyone to take part in the celebration.

“The whole world should do this. Even in secular terms, Jesus of Nazareth is the most important person who ever lived,” said President Oaks. “It has been the main theme of prophets and poets for over 6,000 years. It is the subject of the greatest music and art in the world. He is the greatest teacher who ever lived. Most importantly, He is the only begotten Son of God, the Eternal Father. He is the God before whom every knee should bow and before whom every tongue should confess that He is our Creator and Redeemer, the Savior and God of this world.”

The other devotional speakers were Sister Tamara W. Runia of the Young Women Presidency, Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Sister Runia: The baby Jesus was born for you

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From the scriptures and other stories, Sister Runia highlighted the Savior’s role as a good shepherd who knew and loved each of His sheep by name. She encouraged listeners to remember that Christ was born to lift us up and heal us, especially when we feel broken or inadequate.

“Today I invite you to try something new. When you feel down in the most sacred minutes of your entire week (during Sunday service), imagine Him calling you by name and go to Him,” she said. “See your Savior in your mind’s eye, with open arms and radiant countenance, saying to you, ‘I knew you would feel this way!’ That is why I came to earth and suffered what I did.’ His help, his grace is available to you now, not just at the end of the journey when you feel like you have everything perfectly under control. Because who feels like that? No one I know.”

Elder Palmer: Three Gifts That Bring True and Lasting Joy

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Elder Palmer spoke of three gifts that “bring not temporary happiness, but true and lasting joy.” These are witness (sharing one’s spiritual beliefs), forgiveness and Christian love.

Elder Palmer said: “As you consider what to give this Christmas, I invite you to: (1) Share your testimony with family and those you love. As you share this precious gift, your own testimony will be strengthened. (2) Forgive someone who you believe has wronged you or hurt you. When you give this gift, you too will feel peace and healing. (3) Help others to feel the love of God through you. If appropriate, tell them you love them. When you see others the way God sees them, your love for them will grow and you too will feel the love of God in your life.”

Elder Cook: Reflect on Jesus Christ and his gifts

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Elder Cook invited people to reflect on Christ’s miraculous birth, his perfect life and example, his death, resurrection and atonement, and his second coming.

“The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest event and gift ever in human history,” Elder Cook said. “We have all sinned, and only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ can we receive mercy and walk with God.”

The apostle urged the audience to follow the biblical command to love and serve God and one’s neighbor.

“Our love for God and our fellow human beings is the ultimate test of the state of our spirit,” Elder Cook said. “If we love God, we will keep his commandments. And if we love our fellow human beings, we will serve them and essentially be the hands of the Savior. … He is our example – our advocate with the Father – and He has done everything necessary for us to return to the presence of the Father and the Son. It would be wise for us to follow Jesus Christ and receive the gifts he has given us.”