At this time of year, the airwaves are filled with songs and hymns about the birth of the Christ Child. In words and music, radio and television programs relate the story of this holy event.

In our congregations we sing of the wise men who, "with wondering awe," saw and followed the star that signaled His birth. We raise our voices to sing of the angels who sang of this sacred event. We preserve and pass along the story of the little town of Bethlehem where Jesus was born, and recount how, since there was no room in the inn, He "laid down his sweet head" in a manger. We sing of shepherds who, while watching their flocks by night, heard the angel's proclamation of His birth.

This is a season of wonder. Although not a Christmas carol or song per se, one hymn sums up the feelings of many:

I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

That he should extend his great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me. (Hymns, No. 193, second verse.)

Latter-day Saints join other Christians in celebrating the coming to earth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as "the new-born King." As we ponder this grand event, our hearts are filled with gratitude.

We are also grateful for the restoration of His gospel, and for the blessings we derive from the re-establishment of His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith, who was born 203 years ago, on Dec. 23, 1805.

On Dec. 23, 2005, President Gordon B. Hinckley was in the visitors center at Sharon, Vt., from which he delivered an address that was transmitted via satellite to the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and meetinghouses worldwide.

"Two hundred years ago, on this very day, in this very place, there was born a child who was prophetically named Joseph, after the name of his father," President Hinckley said. "He became the Prophet, Seer and Revelator of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He gave his life in testimony of the truth of all that he said concerning the work of the Lord restored through him in this dispensation."

Further, President Hinckley said that at the time of year when the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, it could be said that no man has born a stronger witness to the reality of the Savior than did Joseph Smith.

"His written testimony is repeated, it is echoed and re-echoed in scores of languages throughout the world. In an age of skepticism and doubt, his witness is unequivocal and certain," President Hinckley declared.

We do not worship Joseph Smith. We honor him and revere his name and life's work. Truths revealed through him enable us to have a better understanding of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who came to earth to minister among men and offer His own life as the atoning sacrifice that makes possible for all to have eternal life with our Heavenly Father. It is this Heavenly Father and His Son whom we worship.