Christmas during the Joseph Smith years in Nauvoo, from 1839 to 1843, was not as widely or consistently observed as it is today.

There were several reasons for Christmas' relative "low profile" during Nauvoo's early years. One was that the Latter-day Saints were keenly aware of the Savior's true birth date on April 6, and many felt no need to join in the observance.Another reason was that Christmas Day was not a legally recognized holiday in Illinois and did not become such until 1861. A third reason was the pinched purses of the saints. Many had been driven from their homes three different times in a year's span; the most unfortunate were struggling for life's necessities and could hardly concern themselves with the luxuries now associated with the winter holiday season.

Joseph Smith's poverty may have been reflected in his Christmas Day journal entry of 1839. Under the Dec. 25 date he did not mention its worldly significance at all. Instead, he commented on the progress of the missionary work in both the United States and the United Kingdom. (HC 4:48.) Christmas of 1840 apparently fared no better so far as seasonal festivities were concerned. Again, the Prophet wrote of the tremendous growth of the Church in England, focusing on the highly successful missionary work of Brigham Young and George A. Smith. (HC 4:251.)

In 1841 however, Joseph, who loved social events, happily noted the day and the festivities in which he and his close associates were involved. Under the date Dec. 25 he wrote: "Being Christmas, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and their wives, and Willard Richards spent the evening at Hiram Kimball's; and after supper, Mr. Kimball gave each of the Twelve Apostles a fractional lot of land lying on the west side of his second addition to Nauvoo." (HC 4:484) Even if some in Nauvoo had reservations about celebrating Christmas, none could fault the true application of the Spirit of the season in Brother Kimball's gift to the apostles and the feast he provided that ensured both body and soul were nourished in an uplifting manner.

The Christmas season in 1842 was not a happy time for the Prophet. On Sunday, Dec. 25 of that year, Joseph again did not mention that it was Christmas Day. He made a short entry regarding personal correspondence and the Manchester, England, conference that had met and whose membership was over 1,500 strong. (HC 5:208) The following day Joseph "was arrested by General Wilson Law, on the proclamation of Governor [Thomas] Carlin . . ." on trumped-up charges stemming from the shooting of ex-Governor [Lilburn W.] Boggs of Missouri. After some legal maneuvering, the Prophet was released. "On my return home, I found my wife sick," he wrote. "She was delivered of a son, which did not survive its birth." (HC 5:209). All in all, the Christmas season of 1842 was memorable more for its disappointment and heartache than anything else.

Christmas Day of 1843 was the most memorable of all for the Prophet and his family. Things were better financially for the saints in Nauvoo, and the long cold winter there on the banks of the Mississippi needed some festivities to lighten its impact. In spite of continuing reservations by some, Christmas was becoming more and more honored as a time of celebration not only among the Latter-day Saints but also the world in general. A big reason for its more widespread observance - at least in England and its environs - was likely due to the phenomenally successful story published that year by Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol."

Christmas, 1843, was the last one Joseph Smith was to spend on earth. Whether he sensed that his time was short or not, he made nearly full use of the 24 hours of Dec. 25 of that year in activities now associated with the celebration of Christmas.

The observance began early: an hour after midnight. Joseph wrote: "This morning, about one o'clock, I was aroused by an English sister, Lettice Rushton . . . accompanied by three of her sons, with their wives and her two daughters, with their husbands, and several of her neighbors, singing, `Mortals, Awake! with angels join,'. . . which caused a thrill of pleasure to run through my soul.

"All of my family and boarders arose to hear the serenade, and I felt to thank my Heavenly Father for their visit, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. They also visited my brother Hyrum, who was awakened from his sleep. He arose and went out of doors. He shook hands with and blessed each one of them in the name of the Lord, and said that he thought at first that a cohort of angels had come to visit him, it was such heavenly music to him."

The entire day (save for an hour or so of necessary business) was spent in observance of Christmas. A huge feast was prepared and set before "about fifty couples" who "sat down at my table to dine." Although Joseph's meal was interrupted by a request to perform a marriage ceremony for Dr. Levi Richards and Sara Griffiths, Joseph graciously declined to leave his guests and deferred the matter to Brigham Young who performed the ceremony.

Not only was the sumptuous feast provided in the afternoon, but later that evening a continued celebration progressed. Joseph recorded: "A large party supped at my house, and spent the evening in music, dancing and so forth in a most cheerful and friendly manner."

But then came an annoying "intruder." Joseph continued: "During the festivities, a man with his hair long and falling over his shoulder, and apparently drunk, came in and acted like a Missourian." (Considering the ill-treatment Joseph had received from his Missouri captors, this was a sharp negative criticism of the long-haired interloper!)

Joseph continued: "I requested the captain of the police to put him out of doors. A scuffle ensued, and I had an opportunity to look him full in the face, when, to my great surprise and joy untold, I discovered it was my long-tried, warm but cruelly persecuted friend, Orrin Porter Rockwell, just arrived from nearly a year's imprisonment, without conviction, in Missouri." (HC 6:134-135.)

Joseph was elated! His reunion with the rambunctious but devoted Rockwell was the crowning event of the evening as far as he was concerned. The happiness he felt was reflected in the Dec. 26 entry: "At home. I rejoiced that Rockwell had returned from the clutches of Missouri, and that God delivered him out of their hands."

It was a delightful Christmas for the Prophet and one that he must have reflected on with pleasure for the next few months for he had celebrated in style: awakened by carolers, and later, surrounded by guests, participating fully in the joy of the season and the happiness brought about by Porter Rockwell's return.

Though it was Joseph's last earthly Christmas, he spent it in the true spirit of the day: in service and social activity, and in thanksgiving for the mercies of God and His Son in sparing the life of his devoted friend.