Elder Dallin H. Oaks, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has asked Christians to consider their observance of Christmas and to focus more on Jesus Christ. He made his remarks at the BYU Management Society Christmas devotional in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, 9 December 2015.
“One prominent feature of …Christmas observances are the greetings sent by mail or electronics. The cards I remember from my youth all featured religious messages like manger scenes or wise men. They also had words honouring the babe of Bethlehem, God’s gift to the world, or the mission of the Saviour whose birth we celebrate. Today it is difficult to find a Christmas card that features a religious image or a religious message.”
“As I view our recent history—say the last century—religious observances of the birth and mission of the Saviour have evolved from Christ-centred observances into a tremendous holiday of gift-giving. The focus on worldly gifts has gradually and now almost decisively overshadowed the religious aspects of the Christmas holiday.”
“The gift that Christ gives us is the greatest gift ever given, and it is available to each of us. That is the gift we should celebrate at this and every Christmas,” Elder Oaks concluded.
The full transcript of his address can be found here.