Hearts -- particularly at Christmas time -- are filled with love, said President James E. Faust.
Speaking at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional Dec. 6, President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, explained that the feeling of Christmas is contagious. "People reach out in kindness even to strangers," he said.Christmas, he explained, is a wonderful time -- no doubt all of Christendom's favorite season.
"Children and adults alike look forward to this time -- a time when our best self shines through. What makes it so special? Certainly it is our love for family and friends. But at the heart of it all is remembering the birth of the Savior."
President Faust noted that some have visited the fields near Bethlehem, where today shepherds still keep watch of their flock by night.
"It was there that the shepherds heard perhaps the most important message ever given to mankind," he said. "The message came from an angel to the frightened shepherds, saying, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' "
President Faust said no one but Jesus could have such a profound effect upon the world.
"His message was shocking: 'Love thy neighbour as thyself.' (Matt. 22:39) 'If a man asks for your coat, give him your cloak also.' (Matt. 5:40) 'If a man asks you to walk one mile with him, go two.' (Matt. 5:41) He described part of His mission by quoting the Prophet Isaiah: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.' " (Luke 4:18.)
President Faust continued, "His teachings were so novel and enlightened that they would change the hearts and minds of millions, transforming them by the power of love. The love of Christ, which we are to emulate, is the distinguishing characteristic of Christmas."
No one can measure the effect of an unselfish act of kindness, said President Faust. "Of course gifts given and gifts received at Christmas make it special. For many children Christmas Eve is a very long night as they look forward with eager anticipation to the gifts Santa brings, which is why children love Santa Claus."
President Faust described Santa as a joyous individual who is interested in making others happy -- who is childlike, simple, humble, sincere, forgiving and giving. "We can all reach out like Santa Claus," he said, "and spread happiness to those around us."
He continued by telling of a sailor who emulated Christ, reaching out one Christmas Eve as one who would be Santa.
The sailor was eating in France, in a drab little restaurant shoddily decorated for the holiday. A man in the restaurant scolded his wife, and a father slapped his child. Then a flower woman came in, saddened because she had not sold any flowers.
The young sailor finished his meal and walked over to the flower woman's table and purchased two corsages. He put one in the letter he had written and gave the second to another woman in the restaurant. He gave the flower woman a 20-franc note -- 18 more francs than the flowers had cost -- and wished her Merry Christmas.
Instantly, the people in the restaurant began enjoying themselves. Instead of being a miserable evening, it ended up being their happiest, very best Christmas Eve.
President Faust said that as people age they get wiser and less concerned about material gifts.
Speaking of a woman who lived far beyond her "three-score-and-ten-years," President Faust noted that her friends and relatives always remembered her at Christmas with little gifts -- usually in the form of knick-knacks. "Finally arriving at the age of 90, the old lady was asked by a friend what she wanted this year. 'Give me a kiss,' was the reply, 'so I don't have to dust it,' " recounted President Faust.
"May the peace of heaven be with us all at this precious time," concluded President Faust. "May burdens be lightened and suffering be diminished, but mostly may we follow the new commandment given by the Savior that we love one another."