"The gift I desire most this Christmas is a greater understanding and appreciation of the supernal gifts of the Atonement and the Resurrection given us by the Redeemer Himself," said President James E. Faust Dec. 5.

Speaking at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, explained that even though the Savior lived and died nearly 2,000 years ago, His gifts are just as precious today as when they were given. "They will continue to be the greatest of all gifts ever given," he said.

During his remarks, President Faust noted that excitement fills the air each December as families and friends eagerly anticipate holiday gatherings.

Recalling childhood memories, President Faust explained that as a small boy he was very anxious about what Santa Claus was going to bring him for Christmas. One year, he had a great interest in owning a toy called Sandy Andy — a device with a small bucket that would travel up a track, pick up a load of sand and move back down the track before dumping the sand.

"Christmas morning came, and I was greatly disappointed to find that my parents had given me a ring. It had no precious stone, but was beautiful in its simplicity. It had been made especially for me, but it was certainly not what I wanted," he said.

"I am afraid my disappointment was so obvious that my parents sat me down and asked me what was wrong. I told them that I had not received the Sandy Andy that I wanted so much."

President Faust added that his parents eventually relented, and a few days after Christmas he received the toy. "I literally wore out the Sandy Andy in about three weeks. But I had little interest in the ring, and it was soon forgotten and misplaced. I have never found the ring. In my childish feelings I did not realize that my parents gave me that ring as a lasting expression of their love for me."

As he grew older, President Faust said, he began to regret his actions. "Now with both my parents gone, I wish I had that specially made ring, which my parents had given to me as a token of their love. If I had it now, it would be a treasured heirloom that I would like to pass on to one of my grandsons."

President Faust said that as a boy he did not rejoice in the gift of the ring, but as he looks back and sees its value, he is sustained by the love that prompted his parents to buy it for him.

"Many gifts are expressions of love," he said. "But when we are young we don't fully recognize their value. Only through the spectacles of time and experience do we see the full beauty of Grandmother's string of pearls. Or the sacrifice which earned military medals with faded ribbons. Or pieces of old china with a long-discontinued pattern. . . .

"As this Christmas approaches and our thoughts turn to giving, [we may] be concerned about choosing just the right gift for those on our list. Such thoughtfulness is a heritage of love. But let our giving turn our thoughts to the ultimate gift. We should remember that the greatest everlasting gifts given by the Savior were through the Atonement and the Resurrection. They supercede all other divine blessings."

This Christmas, concluded President Faust, is historic. "It marks the last celebration of His birth in the second thousand years since that transcendent event occurred. There is great promise in the future."