By NELDA MASCHMEYER
Maintaining the influence of the Savior in our lives was the running theme of Sunday night’s First Presidency Christmas fireside.
The fireside featured several songs by the Tabernacle choir. President James E. Faust, second Counselor in the First Presidency, was the first speaker.
“I am told that there are generally two kinds of Christmas gifts: the ones you don’t like and the ones you don’t get,” Faust joked.
He said the Savior lived nearly 2,000 years ago, but the gifts He gave are just a precious today as they were when given. He said this Christmas is historic because it marks the last celebration of His birth in the second thousand year since the transcendent event occurred.
“The gift I desire most this Christmas is a greater understanding and appreciation of the supernal gifts of the Atonement and the Resurrection given us by the Redeemer Himself,” Faust said.
President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, said mankind must learn to give generously to the Lord, who has so abundantly given to mankind.
“It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much, he who gives time gives more, but he who gives of himself gives all,” Monson said.
He quoted President Kimball who said that the gift of self is the highest gift of all.
He closed by quoting President Harold B. Lee, who said, “Life is God’s gift to man. What we do with our life is our gift to God.”
President Gordon B. Hinckley said at this season, as well as commemorating with all of the Christian world the birth of the Son of God, people should pause on December 23 to pay silent tribute to the great prophet of the dispensation of the fullness of times, the Prophet Joseph Smith.
“Let us in our prayers thank the God of heaven for His chosen servant through whose instrumentality has come forth this great work, which has touched for good the lives of millions of our Father’s children,” Hinckley said.
He said at this time of the year people are “a little more thoughtful of the wonderful things of life and of the marvelous things which God has given to everyone through the gift of his own Beloved Son.”
“I leave my love and blessing with you, my beloved brethren and sisters, at this wonderful Christmas season,” Hinckley said.
