The date on this issue of the Church News is Dec. 25, Christmas Day. Most people who read this article will do so after Christmas has come and gone. Still, its topic is timely, even everlasting. The news and impact of the birth of Jesus Christ is as pertinent every day of the year as it is on the one day most of Christendom sets aside to commemorate it.

Celebrating Christmas should be a 365-day-a-year event. While we generally do not decorate trees or send seasonal greetings to loved ones and acquaintances every month, we ought to be as aware on Jan. 30, July 5 or Sept. 12 as we are on Dec. 25 that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth to dwell among mortals.

Christmas is about remembering the Christ child born in Bethlehem who "grew and waxed strong," who, at the beginning of His ministry in Galilee, said, "Come, follow me." It is about obeying, every single day of the year, His directives to "love one another," to "forgive those who trespass against thee," to "seek first the glory of God," and to "go, and sin no more."

For a few days every year, beginning in late autumn and continuing into the first days of winter, the name of Christ appears before us seemingly everywhere we look, but that sacred name is in the altered form of "Christmas." We sing of His royal birth and read again the stories of that blessed event in Matthew and Luke. Then, far too many among us put away thoughts of Christ and His great gift with the same ease as they put away for another year the ornaments and gift wrap of Christmas.

When the ancient prophets foretold that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, they did not say He would be the Only Begotten Son in the flesh for just a few weeks. When they prophesied that He would heal the sick and bless the poor, they did not say He would do so for only a few days at the end of the year. Then, why should anyone suppose it is sufficient to remember and emulate Him during just December, or only at Christmas?

"If ye love me, keep my commandments," He said. Here He made no reference to how long. But He later said, "If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life."

On that first Christmas, the angels sang, "Peace on earth, good will to men." The peace Christ brought, and still brings, was not intended for just one silent night and one glorious day. President David O. McKay said: "At Christmastime, more than at any other, we think of others and try to express either in word or deed our desire to make others happy. Herein lies the secret of true happiness. 'He that will lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall find it,' is sound philosophy, which the true Christmas spirit helps us to understand" (Gospel Ideals, p.36).

These thoughts of Christmas as a year-long event have been expressed:

Christmas is not a day or a season, but a condition of heart and mind. If we love our neighbors as ourselves;

if in our riches we are poor in spirit

and in our poverty we are rich in grace;

if our charity vaunteth not itself,

but suffereth long and is kind;

if when our brother asks for a loaf,

we give ours instead;

if each day dawns in opportunity

and sets in achievement however small;

then every day is Christ's day

and Christmas is always near.

(Poem by John Wallingford; quoted by President Howard W. Hunter, The Real Christmas, Bookcraft, Salt Lake City, 1993.)

Love for God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and for one another is a theme not just for Christmas. It would be a wonderful gift — to Him, to others and to ourselves — if we extended our efforts to serve and enlighten others throughout the year.

In his First Presidency Christmas Devotional message on Dec. 5, President Thomas S. Monson appealed, "My brothers and sisters, may the spirit of love which comes at Christmas time fill our homes and our lives and linger there long after the tree is down and the lights are put away for another year."

During the holidays we sing carols about Jesus who was born in the humblest of circumstances in Bethlehem. Throughout the year, we sing of the Redeemer who willingly suffered in Gethsemane, gave His life on Calvary and rose from the Garden Tomb in a majestic triumph over the grave.

In the last days of December, as we put away the music and decorations of the Christmas season, let us keep before us the testimony that Jesus is the Christ.

If we accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God we will keep His commandments and bear testimony of Him at all times and in all places. If all the world would accept Him, there would be peace on earth and good will toward everyone — each and every day of the year.