With the choir doing some beloved Christmas carols, and with the practice schedule, I haven't had time to go out "into the world", if you will and see the other parts of Christmas that our prophet and apostles warn us about - the commercialism of Christmas. The sales. The clamour of people to find a parking space in the malls so they can play salmon trying to swim upstream of a river of shoppers. Yet, many of those shoppers won't set a foot in a church door to understand that Christmas is much more than all those. Actually, I am grateful that I haven't had time to do those things as they just end up to frustrating for me. And in my car, the CD practice music for concerts and other performances as I travel about puts me in the frame of mind of worshipping the newborn babe. 

We have been counseled to strive to understand the true meaning of Christmas in our personal lives. We must internalize what is the most important thing about Christmas for each of us. The gift of oneself in service to others is pretty much at the top of my list. Serving others is emulating one of the most endearing characteristics of our Savior. It doesn't need to involve money or shopping for the "must have" items in the malls. It is as simple as a smile, a greeting, helping someone carry groceries, singing carols, letting someone in traffic in front of you,  and bearing testimony. 

There are many out there that need just those simple things and we all have the capability to do those things. Those things which may take a half hour of our precious time, but can mean a lot more to the recipient. Giving a Book of Mormon to a friend with your simple testimony of that book can mean an eternity of thanks from the recipient. 

So, as Christmas approaches I would challenge you to find out for yourselves what the true meaning of Christmas is in your lives, prayerfully petition The Lord whom needs help this Christmas, act upon the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and serve our fellow man. I would encourage you to set aside those things which incite fear and anger - such as politics, and movements, with others whom we are angry with. All of these things and concentrate on the good things of the world, on our Savior and you will have the peace which passeth all understanding.