The teenager had no intention to serve others, much less provide Christmas gifts for a poor family. But something happened on the day before Christmas many years ago that changed Christmas forever for this individual. The adult that the teenager became has vivid memories of that Christmas. Here is part of the story, in the words of the one who experienced it:

"In a small town grocery store the day before Christmas, I heard some people talking about the misfortunes of a local family. Unemployed for several months, the head of the family had bought groceries that day on credit. Toys and other things for Christmas were out of the question.

"I don't know what came over me, but I had the sudden idea that I ought to buy some toys for the children. I went to a variety store where, as I walked up and down the aisles trying to figure out how to make the most purchases with the little money I had, I began to gain some sort of understanding of what giving from the heart is all about.

"I decided to wait until late at night to make the delivery, after the children would have gone to bed. As I drove down a dirt road leading to the family's home in the country, I was filled with a mixture of fear and elation. I was afraid someone, especially the husband and father of that family, would see me and, out of pride, refuse the gifts. I was thrilled beyond anything I'd ever felt at the thought that I would have some role in bringing happiness to that family on Christmas morning. I felt like one of Santa's elves as I left the gifts on the front porch.

"For the first time since I'd been a little child, I felt a sense of wonder and excitement that Christmas Eve. When I awakened the next morning, my first thoughts were of that family. Until now, I've never told another soul about that Christmas. It was the best Christmas of my youth. It was the year that I began to understand what Christmas is all about. I hope I never forget."

We scarcely can think of Christmas without thinking of gifts. The day honors the greatest Giver of all. Jesus, born in humblest circumstances, brought to earth the gift of eternal life. His very birth was the Father's greatest gift to His other sons and daughters. It was the ultimate gift of love.

When we reach out to others in love, in a spirit of giving, we honor the Father and the Son.

"Love is the catalyst that causes change," said President Thomas S. Monson. "Love is the balm that brings healing to the soul. But love doesn't grow like weeds or fall like rain. Love has its price. 'God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life' (John 3:16). . . .

"True love is a reflection of Christ's love. In December of each year we call it the Christmas spirit. You can hear it. You can see it. You can feel it. But never alone." (Conference Report, October 1987, p. 82; or Ensign, November 1987, p. 69.)

Need we be reminded that the Christmas spirit ought not be limited to one brief month of the year? Having love for our Savior and demonstrating that love by the way we treat others should be a yearlong, day-by-day endeavor. It is kind, and even noble, to give gifts to those who are in need at this time of year, but we ought not avert our eyes or stay our hands from the needs of others during the rest of the year.

We are privileged to read the scriptural account of the birth of Jesus. We can imagine the journey of the Wise Men who followed a star to the humble stable and share some of the thrill felt by shepherds who heard a choir of angels announcing His birth. Further, we can read of the 12-year-old Jesus who answered the questions of the learned men in the temple. And deeper into the scriptures, we can glimpse portions of His adult years: His baptism by John, His travels by foot upon the plains of Palestine to preach the gospel; His healing of many who were sick and His raising of some of the dead. We have written records of how He was persecuted and condemned to die on the cross. And, finally, we have testimony of His triumph over death and the grave as He came forth in a glorious resurrection.

Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect upon the Savior and His life, and remember how He treated others. It is a time to follow His admonition: "Go, and do thou likewise." (Luke 10:36-37.)