This is a grand time of the year, with the spirit of Christmas all about. It is a season of music and festivities, and homes are decked out with lights that brighten the night. It is a time of sharing and giving.

"This is a season of rejoicing," President Gordon B. Hinckley said at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Dec. 3, 1989. "It is a season of peace. It is a season of love that is felt anew across much of this weary world. It is a season where we like to hear of kind deeds and we are motivated to perform them."But it is also a season that has lost much of its true meaning.

According to a national survey, conducted for the Lutheran Hour Ministries by the Barna Research Group Ltd., only one-third of the 1,006 adults surveyed said that the birth of Jesus was what made Christmas important to them. (From article by David Briggs, AP religion writer, published in the Nov. 30, 1996, Deseret News.)

How sad it is that the season in which we honor the Savior's birth has become so secularized and commercialized that so many have lost sight of the real reason why Christmas is important. Even its very name means a celebration or festival of Christ, and yet, with so many people, the Savior has little or no place in the Christmas celebration.

During a time when our thoughts are turned to peace on earth and good will toward all, how sad it is that so many have forgotten the true source of those attributes, which, in reality, are fruits of the spirit of Christ. How, then, can any find peace in their lives, joy in their hearts and good will in their communities during this special season if the Savior is not important to them?

We, as Latter-day Saints, need to make sure that Jesus Christ - He who was born in a lowly manger in Bethlehem and died on the forlorn cross of Calvary; He who is the Savior and Redeemer of the world - is all-important to us not only during the Christmas season but also throughout the entire year. While we cannot change the world's reasons for celebrating Christmas, we can, indeed, make sure in our own lives that the Savior is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Having Christ in Christmas makes it "a beautiful and glorious season," as members of the First Presidency referred to Christmastime in their annual Christmas message this month. (See Church News, Dec. 14, 1996.)

Without Christ, the real meaning of Christmas is lost. Yes, there could still be family gatherings and the giving of gifts, but without the Savior being the focus of the season those family gatherings and gift-giving would not have the same meaning. Families can be together forever, as expressed in the hymn (Hymns, #300), but this is only possible through the Redeemer who paid the ransom that we might live again after death. Knowing that families can be eternal gives family gatherings at Christmastime even more purpose and meaning.

There is no real joy at Christmas or any other time without the understanding of what the Savior did for us as He alone atoned for our sins. Joy does not come in packages, wrapped in brightly colored paper, topped with fancy bows; joy comes through living worthily and knowing that Jesus made it possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father. Without that assurance there can be no real and lasting happiness.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, the innkeeper of old closed his doors to Joseph and Mary and the Holy Child she was carrying. We must not make the same mistake of closing our hearts to the Savior. There must always be love in our hearts for Him.

If we truly love the Savior, we will also love our fellowman. Can we have real happiness at Christmastime if we neglect those in need? Service to others should be an integral part of our Christmas activities. By doing so, we, in some small measure, draw close to Him who gave to us the greatest gift of all - the gift of eternal life.

Putting Christ in Christmas is not the end, but is a journey. As we take up the journey, let us do as the Apostle Paul admonished the Romans. (See Rom. 12:9-21.)

"Let love be without dissimulation. . . Abhor that which is evil. . . . Cleave to that which is good. . . . Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love. . . . Fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. . . . Rejoicing in hope. . . . Patient in tribulation. . . . Given to hospitality. . . . Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. . . . Mind not high things. . . . Condescend to men of low estate. . . . Be not wise in your own conceits. . . . Provide things honest in the sight of all men. . . . Live peacefully with all men. . . . If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. . . . Overcome evil with good."

In following this journey, we are able to enjoy the fruits of the spirit of Christ, of love, kindness, charity, forgiveness, understanding. Should that not be what Christmas is really all about?