At this time of year, all Christendom focuses on the birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world and Redeemer of all mankind.

Light was symbolic of His mission and ministry even before He was born. From a city wall, Samuel the Lamanite prophet proclaimed to the people of Zarahemla:

"Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.

"And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day....

"And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you" (Helaman 14:2—3, 5).

Samuel's prophecy was fulfilled. Matthew wrote that the wise men, who sought Jesus after He was born in Bethlehem, saw "his star in the east" (Matthew 2:2).

From the earliest days of His ministry, the Savior's divine heritage was made known.

A stunning witness of it was borne nearly 2,000 years ago when, in the waters of the River Jordan, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. The heavens opened and a marvelous, even miraculous, thing happened: the Holy Ghost descended in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven proclaimed, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).

Some time later, in the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus declared to the scribes and Pharisees: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

The Pharisees responded, "Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true."

Jesus answered and said unto them, "Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go....

"It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

"I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me" (John 8:12—14, 17—18).

Those two testimonies, one of the Father and the other of Jesus, hold truths not only for the people of ancient times but also for all humanity today.

"I am the light of the world," He proclaimed.

The Book of Revelation contains the Savior's declaration that He is "the bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16).

In latter-day scripture, we read: "For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:45).

The Light of Christ illuminates the path of everyone who has, or will, come into the world. It influences lives.

The scriptures define the Light of Christ as "the Spirit (which) giveth light to every man that cometh into the world" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:46); "the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:13; see also John 1:4—9; Doctrine and Covenants 84:45—47; 88:6; 93:9). In the Book of Mormon, we are told that "the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil" (Moroni 7:16).

The Light of Christ is described also as "the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:45), "the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18; see also Mosiah 25:24), "the Spirit of truth" (Doctrine and Covenants 93:26), "the light of truth" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6), "the Spirit of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 46:17), and "the Holy Spirit" (Doctrine and Covenants 45:57).

While some of these terms are used to refer also to the Holy Ghost, the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost are separate. Sometimes the Light of Christ is known as conscience, or a sense of right and wrong. Though powerful beyond human comprehension, it can be subdued through sin and willful disobedience.

Darkness cannot exist where there is light. When the Son of God was born, He brought light into a darkened world.

As we enjoy the lights of the Christmas season, may we remember the Source of all light, even Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.