Christmas — a Sacrament meeting talk by Sister Susan Taylor
- Marvelous Christmas week.
- I love everything about Christmas.
- I love the lights, decorations, the music, the shopping and thinking about and then buying the perfect gifts for my family.
- Probably spend too much time and I’m sure too much money doing this.
- Love to give just the right gift to those I love.
- In keeping with the true meaning of Christmas, I am humbled to think about the perfect gift that our Heavenly Father gave to us through His son Jesus Christ.
- In Ether of the Book of Mormon we read, “…In the gift of his Son, hath God prepared a more excellent way.”
- This year I have spent very little time with the things that usually consume my time at Christmas.
- It has been a different Christmas, but it has been a beautiful Christmas serving on our mission and sharing the gospel message and the true meaning of Christmas.
- It has been wonderful to spend more time thinking about and sharing the message of Jesus Christ and serving and loving in His name.
- In the scriptures in the Book of Matthew we read what the Savior said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24–25; see also Matthew10:39).
- “An attitude of love [and unselfish service] characterized the mission of the Master,” Pres. Monson said. “He gave sight to the blind, legs to the lame and life to the dead. Perhaps when we face our Maker, we will not be asked, ‘How many positions did you hold?’ but rather, ‘How many people did you help?’ “You can never [truly] love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people.”
- President Monson taught BYU students that their student days should include “the matter of spiritual preparation”, including service to others. And As we all know,
- President Monson is a living example of unselfish and continuous service to others.
- President Hinckley said “He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity.
- A great example of unselfish service is the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose vow committed herself and her fellow workers to “wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor.” She taught that “one thing will always secure heaven for us—the acts of charity and kindness with which we have filled our lives.” “We can do no great things,” Mother Teresa maintained, “only small things with great love.” (Don’t you love that, small things with great love.) When this wonderful Catholic servant died, the First Presidency’s message of condolence declared, “Her life of unselfish service is an inspiration to all the world, and her acts of Christian goodness will stand as a memorial for generations to come.” That is what the Savior called losing our lives in service to others.
- In partaking of the sacrament each week, we as Latter-day Saints witness our commitment to serve the Lord and our fellowmen. In sacred temple ceremonies, we covenant to sacrifice and consecrate our time and talents for the welfare of others.
- Perhaps serving can also come in ways that we don’t usually think of.
- What about serving others by building them up and strengthening them
- What about serving others by not gossiping or repeating things that tear others down
- What about serving our Heavenly Father better through our attitudes
- In Elder Oak’s Conference talk several years ago he said, “Each of us should apply that principle of service [to our attitudes ]in attending church. Some say “I didn’t learn anything today” or “No one was friendly to me” or “I was offended” or “The Church is not filling my needs.” All those answers are self-centered, and all retard spiritual growth.
- In contrast, a wise friend wrote: “Years ago, I changed my attitude about going to church. No longer do I go to church for my sake, but to think of others. I make a point of saying hello to people who sit alone, to welcome visitors, … to volunteer for an assignment. … “In short, I go to church each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and [serving others] and making a positive difference in people’s lives. Consequently, my attendance at Church meetings is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling.”
- All of this illustrates the eternal principle that we are happier and more fulfilled when we act and serve for what we give, not for what we get.
- King Benjamin taught, “And behold, I tell you these things that you may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.”
- Many years ago at Christmas time, I was involved in a wonderful opportunity of unselfish service.
- Dad – manager of Welfare Square, largest Bishop’s storehouse – busy place
- Day before Christmas Eve became aware of a destitute family
- Single mother of three young girls and one son
- Come from a far away city by bus to get away from a difficult circumstance
- Run out of money in SLC
- Dad met them –
- Helped then with temporary lodging in a small place
- Asked them about Christmas
- Mom replied – no money – no food – no Christmas this year
- Dad asked children what wished they could get for Christmas
- Little girls – doll or stuffed animal
- Little boy – responded – a bowl of oatmeal
- *Dad looked at that hungry and afraid little boy and felt his heart breaking for that little boy
- Left them with some basic groceries
- Came home and enlisted help if myself and younger siblings
- Next day on Christmas Eve off we went to shop
- Stores crowded
- Trees were all but gone
- Snowy and cold December day in Utah
- We were warm and bright as we went about our task and found a very small tree
- Few lights and decorations
- Presents for all the children and the mom
- Loads of groceries and produce
- Largest bag of oatmeal we could find
- Went home and wrapped everything
- Delivered these items to the family
- Helped them decorate the little tree
- Place all the gifts under the tree
- Mother had tears in her eyes of gratitude
- Eyes and faces brightened as they realized there really would be Christmas this year
- Happiest smile of all was from the little boy when he saw the large bag of oatmeal
- Bro and Sis, I know I have never been as needy or as hungry as that little boy nor as afraid or alone as that concerned mother and her daughters
- That was a cold Christmas Eve day.
- My parents were busy trying to prepare Christmas for their own children.
- I’m sure my mom could have used my dad’s help that day
- And I’m sure my dad didn’t want to go into the crowded stores that day
- But my parents taught their children about the importance of unselfish service
- And our hearts were warmed by the chance to help someone less fortunate
- This experience has become a favorite of our family
- Just the other day I was talking to my 96 1/2 year old dad about it
- We all remember it vividly and the change it brought about in our lives
- Some of you have read this story in the December Ensign/Liahona
- It has been shared many times. Becomes more dear to me each time.
- When Pres. Taylor asked me to speak few months ago – told him bowl of Oatmeal story
- Imagine my surprise when I opened the Dec. Church magazines – saw it there
- Grateful to goodly parents who allowed me first hand to learn about blessings of unselfish service
- Grateful to a dad who spent his entire career service others in need
- In conclusion I want to share some words From President Howard W. Hunter
- This Christmas:
- Mend a quarrel.
- Seek out a forgotten friend
- Dismiss suspicion & replace it with trust.
- Write a letter.
- Give a soft answer.
- Encourage youth.
- Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
- Keep a promise
- Forgo a grudge.
- Forgive an enemy.
- Apologize.
- Try to understand.
- Examine your demands on others.
- Think first of someone else.
- Be kind.
- Be gentle.
- Laugh a little more.
- Express your gratitude.
- Acknowledge a stranger.
- Gladden the heart of a child.
- Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
- Speak your love, then speak it again.
- May we all follow the Savior who teaches us to follow Him by loosing ourselves in unselfish service to others. If we do, He promises us eternal life, “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)
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