One day, shortly before Christmas, our third child and first son, Bay, was born. As I said good-bye that evening to my exhausted but joyful wife and left the hospital, the warmth and joy that accompanied the birth of my son overwhelmed the cold chill of that clear December night. The following December we celebrated [...]

As I thought about the place where the Savior was born, I began to understand His role as the Shepherd of mankind. Annie Tintle, “In Shepherds’ Field,” Ensign, Dec. 2008, 19 While attending Brigham Young University, I studied in Jerusalem with approximately 170 students during the fall of 1998. As the Christmas season approached, we [...]

(Based on a true story) Let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God (1 John 4:7). Ashlie watched Mrs. Barnewald lean on her cane and walk slowly over to a padded rocking chair. Mrs. Barnewald sat down. “I’m glad you came [...]

Once upon a time, a man punished his five-year-old daughter for using up the family’s only roll of expensive gold wrapping paper before Christmas. Money was tight, so he became even more upset when on Christmas Eve, he saw that the child had used the expensive gold paper to decorate a large shoebox she had [...]

“Ya know something? Life stinks.” Chuck was talking to nobody in particular. The bar had few other patrons on this Christmas Eve, just a few old men nursing their beers, not paying any attention to Chuck’s complaints. Chuck didn’t care if they were listening or not, he was quite drunk, and continued talking. “I don’t [...]

I found myself daydreaming about past Christmas’. Remembering my two small boys, excitement filling their eyes, as we trimmed the tree and they talked about a visit from Santa, leaving cookies out for the jolly old man and carrots for his reindeer and shopping with their small savings for gifts for each other. I remember [...]

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift [...]

Author: Julie Bonn Heath Goose bumps rise on my arms when I remember the holiday that made an impact on my entire life. I was about seven and the memory of that night when an angel visited is still vivid. This was a holiday when no gifts rested under the tree. But in fact, I [...]

Dear Mom, We’re still in Bethlehem–Mary and I and little Jesus. There were lots of things I couldn’t talk to you about last summer. You wouldn’t have believed me then, but maybe I can tell you now. I hope you can understand. You know, Mom, I’ve always loved Mary. You and dad used to tease [...]

The large glass coffee table top rests over a massive acrylic base. I run my fingers over the glass; it feels cool and smooth. On the table sits a head of Hercules made of weighty blue stone. A mass of carved blue curls covers his head. Round sightless eyes watch the room. A glass figure [...]