The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host its annual Christmas devotional broadcast this weekend.
Members, family and friends are invited to watch the traditional program on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m., according to letter sent Thursday to local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The devotional will feature religious messages from church leaders and music performed by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, in-person attendance will not be available.
The devotional will be broadcast on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, the church’s satellite system. the church’s YouTube channel, BYUtv, Latter-day Saints Channel and other media.
It will also be available for viewing on the church’s website and Gospel Library mobile app after the event, the letter said.
In timing with the devotional broadcast, the First Presidency also released the following Christmas message:
“When we sing ‘Silent Night,’ we know the life of that Babe of Bethlehem did not begin there, nor did it end on Calvary. In a premortal realm, Jesus was foreordained by His Father to be the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of all humankind. He was foreordained to atone for us. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). He came to make immortality a reality and eternal life a possibility for all who would ever live (see 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; 3 Nephi 27:13–14).
“At this sacred Christmas season, we testify that our loving Heavenly Father ‘so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16).”