The Fruits of the Spirit of Christmas (Talk delivered Dec 2009)

I gave this talk in sacrament meeting two years ago at Christmas. It was never properly footnoted, and I added about five minutes speaking about hope on the day - those comments are not included here, since they weren't recorded.

The Fruits of the Spirit of Christmas

With how busy things have been for me lately, it took until last night for me to really feel like Christmas was close. Planes, training, and assessment seemed to get in the way. But last night, as I sat at my computer and finally started to make sense of things that had been going through my head... that was the first time this season I felt like Christmas was coming. I can tell you that the city centers of Brisbane and Melbourne are filled with lights, tinsel and trees, and that musicians and choirs can be found singing carols or Christmas songs throughout the day. But in my travels, the simple significance of the season was missing. Last night, listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing "O Holy Night", and pondering over what the Lord would have me focus on today... took away the trimmings and the trappings. I read these words from Pres. Uchtdorf's recent Christmas Devotional address:

"All of these spectacular displays and decorations that compete for our attention can be beautiful and uplifting, but if that’s all we see, then we’re missing something that’s in plain sight. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we become so preoccupied with responsibilities, commitments, and the stress of our many tasks that we fail to see with our hearts that which is essential and most sacred."

I hope to speak simply about a most significant subject. I pray that the Spirit might be with, and help me, as I do so.

Christmas is, of course, a time where focus on Christ throughout the world is increased. It is a time where we do find many people thinking more of others, reaching out to those in need, and generally embracing what is referred to as the Christmas spirit. Today, I thought we might speak about the Fruits of the Spirit of Christmas, but we will do so from the perspective of the scriptural Christmas.

First, Watchfulness.

In the 3rd book of Nephi we read of those among the Nephites who remembered well the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite regarding the birth of Christ. We read:

 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.

Though those Nephites looked forward to the birth of Christ, and we look back, there is little difference. Don't we also watch for signs that will come to show that our faith is not vain? Don't we also look forward to the return of Christ, watching for the passing of the Bridegroom? As in the parable of the 10 virgins, don't we watch ourselves, striving to be counted as one of the wise, rather than foolish virgins?

Though we should always be watchful, Christmas may help remind us of this constant need. As we consider the incredible gift of a Saviour, we can be alerted through the Spirit as to how we can do better, be better. King Benjamin pleads with us:

But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not. 

Second, Fear.

I'm going to open up to the 2nd chapter of Luke, verses 8 through 11:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

It may seem strange for me to stop and talk here about fear, particularly since the angel speaks reassuringly to the shepherds to "fear not". But this fear should rightly be considered a fruit of the spirit of Christmas. The scriptures remind us that we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Of this fear, Elder McConkie wrote:

"Sore afraid!" - Holy fear; ... the fear that leads to spiritual progression; the fear that enlarges the soul."

Also, in Isaiah, chapter 60:

  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  Then thou shalt see... and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged.

Whether it takes an angelic visitation, a piercing comment, or a whisper of the Spirit, Holy fear is a positive for us. It causes us to take stock of our direction, and motivates us to change. This is very different to the fear of the wicked, which causes us to run away, or avoid, or shrink from. Holy fear motivates us to be like the Saviour whose birth we celebrate at this time, who in the Garden of Gethsemane chose to drink the bitter cup of the Atonement, and not shrink.

Third, Urgency.

This is not the same as stress, nor is it the same as busyness. Rushing about buying presents may feel urgent, but it is not a Fruit of the Spirit of Christmas!

After the angels had departed from the shepherds, they decided to go and see the baby Saviour. The scriptures then said of the shepherds that "they came with haste". Having recognized the importance of what had occurred, they made it a priority to see the Lord as soon as was possible. There was no procrastination, no um-ing and ah-ing. Instead, their language and activity was, "Let us go now!"

At Christmas, and throughout the year, we should thus remember the scripture:

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

It is easy, in the busyness of commercial Christmas, to lose focus on what matters most. But, if we will consider what the true priorities are, and then feel a sense of urgency to get them done, we can remember and be blessed by the Lord's promise to us:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fourth, Joy.

Continuing on from the account of the Shepherds in Luke, we read:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Good tidings, of great joy. A Saviour is born.

Joy is more than just a good feeling. It is more than mere happiness. Joy is defined as peace with God. When we say peace, we mean harmony, unity, one-ness. Sin and death separate us from God. But a Saviour was prepared from the beginning, so that at-one-ment, atonement, would be made for each and every one of us. No wonder the angel declared that he brought good tidings of great joy - for without Jesus Christ, there could not have been joy.

In order to feel joy, we must be striving for unity with God. We do this in following Christ's example of meekness - to do what God wants rather than what we want. As we do this, the promised companionship of the Holy Ghost becomes active and stronger in our lives. In Galatians we read that “...the fruit of the Spirit is joy”.

Don't be content with a Merry Christmas. Look for a Joyous Christmas. Look for a Spiritual Christmas. Feel strongly the significance of the good tidings of great joy.

Fifth, Adoration.

Leonardi Da Vinci painted the famous Adoration of the Magi. This painting shows the Wise Men - also know as the Magi - coming to worship the baby Jesus. The painting also shows the rich gifts that the Wise Men brought with them to offer to Jesus. As far as Christmas is concerned, this is the reference in the scriptures to our tradition of giving gifts to each other during the holiday.

But note that the gifts were only part of what occurred with the wise men. First, they fell down and worshipped the Christ.

To worship God is to give Him our love, reverence, service, and devotion. The gifts of the Wise Men may have demonstrated love, but were only a small part of worshipping the Saviour. Our gifts to each other may demonstrate our love for some of our fellow men and women, but they cannot replace the need for us to truly serve and love each other. In doing so, we are reminded of the words of King Benjamin:

...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

If we love God, we strive to keep His commandments.

If we reverence God, we seek His counsel in all things.

If we serve God, then we serve all those around us.

If we are devoted to God, then we persevere with all these things, even when it seems difficult or inconvenient.

That is worship. That is adoration.

Watchfulness, Holy Fear, Urgency, Joy, Adoration: These are some of the fruits of the Spirit of Christmas.

As I wrap up, consider this: A gift from a friend or family member, we simply call a gift or present. A gift from God, we generally call a blessing. The word blessing comes from a word which means "to consecrate or make holy with blood". Though we remember the birth of Christ at this time, the gift and blessing to each of us are found in how he lived his life, in the perfect atonement he wrought, and in his victory over death. His blood, shed for us, makes us whole. Remember that gift.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!