President Thomas S. Monson: 'Jesus invites us to give of ourselves'
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There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for Church
members to rededicate themselves to the principles taught by Jesus the
Christ, President Thomas S. Monson counseled at the First Presidency
Christmas Devotional Dec. 6.
"It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart — and our neighbors as ourselves," said President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency.
As he began his address, President Monson noted that with the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, "there emerged a great endowment, a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar."
"This child," he said, "was to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Promised Messiah — even Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
During His earthly ministry, explained President Monson, Jesus caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear and even raised the dead to life.
"What was the reaction to His message of mercy, His words of wisdom, His lessons of life? There were a precious few who appreciated Him. They bathed His feet. They learned His word. They followed His example."
President Monson declared that down through the generations of time, the message from Jesus has been the same: "Follow me."
"As we follow in His steps today, we too will have an opportunity to bless the lives of others," he continued. "Jesus invites us to give of ourselves."
President Monson said that while opportunities to give are limitless, they are also perishable. "There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.
"A wise Christian," President Monson said, "once urged, 'Let us not
spend Christmas
President Monson testified that the Lord Jesus Christ speaks to every troubled heart and bestows the gift of peace.
"He sends forth His word through the many thousands of missionaries
serving far and wide proclaiming His gospel of good tidings and salutation
of peace
President Monson then shared three examples of true giving learned from the experiences of the three most recent presidents of the Church, with whom he served as a counselor in the First Presidency.
"President Hinckley gave them encouragement and assurances of additional assistance, but more than this, he gave to them himself."
President Monson concluded: "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. Let this be a description of our Christmas gifts."
