PEACE FOR CHRISTMAS

PEACE - even one of the names we give the one whos birthday we celebrate is called the
Prince of Peace. This goal, to have peace in our hearts, is not just a Christian wish or desire; it is a
universal innate reality to realize that we have real feelings even an irresistible desire to know our
relationship to nature, society and the infinite. There is something within us that urges us to rise above
ourselves to control our environment, to master and understand the body and all things physical and to
be accepted by others; all in order to live in a higher and more beautiful world.
The Christmas message expresses to all, the universal wish for each of us to be at peace with
ourselves, our families, our associates and the whole world.
Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the exhilarating feeling that we receive from lifting
anothers life to a better plane. It is to live with integrity, not having a mind to injure one another, but to
live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is due. To see that our children are
not hungry and are clothed and are taught to follow the laws of God, nature and country and to not
quarrel one with another. It is to teach our children and associates to walk in the ways of truth and
soberness and to love one another and to serve one another. This must be done with true grace and
meekness if it is to be felt by others to be from our hearts.
It is meekness which helps us to step gratefully forward to place on the altar the talents and
time and self with which we are blessed to be at Gods and His childrens disposal. The offering is of a
gentled self, a self concerned with charity not parity
As Ezekiel said, ones task is to make you a new heart and a new spirit. (Ezekiel 18:31)
Neal A. Maxwell Ensign, Mar 1983

Christmas has a special meaning this year as we give gratitude for our blessings and for the
knowledge and trust that no matter how the world goes our prayers will continue to be answered and our
goal is one that we can trust.
With this hope our faith can take us through any hardship, trial or disappointment.
If we can keep looking up with gratitude in our hearts all things will be possible.
Alma 7: 10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our
forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive
by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the
word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and
he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh,
that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that
he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to
the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
What peace this assures us! It really tells us that the purpose of the Saviors Atonement, as well as
ours, is to serve one another; to lighten their burdens. There is always someone who has less or needs
more than us.
It is this truth, the giving of ourselves, that is the true joy of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you all and may there be Peace on Earth and Good will to all Men.