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50 years ago
President David O. McKay delivered a Christmas message to the members of the 27th and East 27th Wards in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Dec. 20, 1959, according to the Jan. 2, 1960, Church News.
The article quoted President McKay: "I think it would be difficult to imagine services more appropriate to the occasion than those which have been rendered during this half hour or more, the singing by the combined choirs of the carols, reminding us of the Christmastide, the administration of the Sacrament, so orderly and expeditiously rendered, the reverential attitude of the large congregation, and the songs themselves, all reminding us that '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).
President McKay expressed good feelings in being able to join with "a million and a half others — members of the Church — who this hour, and during this evening, are worshipping the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
He later stated: "Jesus' birth was heralded by heavenly hosts praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men' (Luke 2:14). Thus with this annunciation we have these glorious ideals: First, faith in God; second, peace: third, brotherhood. … The love of the world is incomparable with the love of God."
