“Idea List:
Gospel Gifts,” New Era, Dec. 2003, 11
It seems stores begin decorating for Christmas
earlier and earlier every year, each store
advertising the perfect gift. But for members of
the Church, Christmas is always about Christ,
who not only gave us the greatest gift—the
Atonement—but who also is the “perfect”
gift we can give to others.
Students in Patricia Gibson’s Ledgewood First
Ward seminary class in Morristown, New Jersey,
offer these ideas on using the Christmas season
to share the gospel.
• Pray for opportunities to share your belief
in the Savior.
• Give scriptures as gifts. Write your
testimony in the front.
• Share with friends some of your family’s
Christmas traditions that center on Christ.
• Invite friends to a Christmas program at
church, whether it’s a ward choir fireside, a
Christmas sacrament meeting, a Mutual Christmas
project, or a ward or branch party.
• Invite neighbors to dinner or for a holiday
treat. Share Christmas traditions. Read the
story of Christ’s birth. Consider arranging to
have the missionaries participate as well.
• Plan a “12 days of Christmas” activity for
a friend or neighbor, leaving an anonymous gift
for them on each of the 12 days before
Christmas. The gifts can be anything from
spiritual thoughts to needed food or clothing.
• Go caroling as a family, Mutual group, or
with friends to the homes of friends or
neighbors.
• Prepare small treats to give away with
messages about Christ.
• Invite someone who is spending Christmas
alone to celebrate it with your family. Include
him or her in family traditions and activities
centered on Christ.
• Spread the Christmas spirit through helpful
acts, kind words, and friendly smiles. Go out of
your way to serve others.
"Choose
you this day
whom ye will
serve
but for me
and my
house we will
serve the Lord "
