President Oaks’ Christmas Call to Embrace All With Christlike Love

Christmastime reminds us to serve everyone, promote understanding and love and help outsiders feel at home.

This was the message of President Dallin H. Oaks at the First Presidency’s annual Christmas Devotional on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

The First Counselor in the First Presidency taught that peace and goodwill are not only “for those for whom we already have feelings of love and affection, such as fellow citizens of our Church or nation, residents of our hometown or neighborhood, or people of common culture. The heavenly hosts proclaimed good will to all men — to casual friends, to strangers, even to enemies.”

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The warm feeling of the holiday season — which President Oaks defined as the light of Jesus Christ — is an opportunity to “step across barriers and promote understanding and love with people of all races, creeds, and national origins,” he said.

Latter-day Saints should remember that Moses taught the children of Israel to embrace “the stranger that dwelleth with you” (Leviticus 19:33–34).

“We should teach our children to be kind and considerate of everyone,” President Oaks said. “I am saddened whenever I hear of non-LDS parents in this community sorrowing because they believe that their sons and daughters have been excluded or ostracized by LDS children or youth. I hope such instances are rare and diminishing. We ought to be the friendliest and most considerate of all peoples anywhere.”

With this Christlike spirit guiding our thoughts and actions, President Oaks said, “we will each be making our own contribution to the eternal goal of ‘peace on earth, good will toward men.’ It is time for us all to do so, for every day we are one day closer to the coming of the Lord.”

President Oaks noted that over a billion people will celebrate Christ’s birth this Christmas. He invited everyone to join in the celebration.

“The whole world should do so. Even in worldly terms, Jesus of Nazareth is the most important person who ever lived,” President Oaks said. “He is the principal subject of prophets and poets for over 6,000 years. He is the subject of the world’s greatest music and art. He is the greatest teacher who ever lived. Most important, He is the Only Begotten Son of God, the Eternal Father. He is the God to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is our Creator and Redeemer, the Savior and God of this world.”

The other devotional speakers were Sister Tamara W. Runia of the Young Women General Presidency, Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Sister Runia: Baby Jesus Was Born for You

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From the scriptures and other stories, Sister Runia highlighted the Savior’s role as the Good Shepherd who knows and loves each of His sheep by name. She encouraged listeners to remember that Christ was born to lift and heal us, especially when feeling broken or inadequate.

“Today, I invite you to try something new. In those most sacred minutes of your whole week [during Sunday worship services], if you’re feeling crushed, imagine Him calling you by name, and go to Him,” she said. “See your Savior in your mind’s eye, with His arms open and bright countenance extended to you, saying, ‘I knew you would feel like this! That’s why I came to earth and suffered what I did.’ His help, His grace is available to you right now, not at the end of the road when you feel you have things perfectly together. Because whoever feels like that? No one that I know.”

Elder Palmer: Three Gifts That Bring True and Lasting Joy

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Elder Palmer spoke of three gifts that “will not bring temporary happiness but instead will bring true and lasting joy.” These are testimony (sharing one’s spiritual convictions), forgiveness, and Christlike love.

Elder Palmer said: “As you think about what you will give this Christmas, I invite you to (1) share your testimony with family and those you love. As you share this precious gift, your own testimony will be strengthened. (2) Forgive someone you feel has wronged or hurt you. In giving this gift, you, too, will feel peace and healing. (3) Help others feel the love of God through you. If appropriate, tell them you love them. As you see others as God sees them, your love for them will grow, and you too will feel the love of God in your life.”

Elder Cook: Consider Jesus Christ and His Gifts

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Elder Cook invited people to contemplate Christ’s miraculous birth, His perfect life and example, His death, Resurrection and Atonement, and His Second Coming.

“The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest event and gift that has ever occurred in the history of mankind,” Elder Cook said. “All of us have sinned, and it is only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we can obtain mercy and live with God.”

The Apostle urged the audience to follow the scriptural injunction to love and serve God and their neighbor.

“Our love of God and our fellow man is the ultimate test of the condition of our spirit,” Elder Cook said. “If we love God, we will keep His commandments. And if we love our fellow men, we will serve them and essentially be the Savior’s hands. … He is our exemplar — our advocate with the Father — and He accomplished everything necessary for us to return to the Father’s and the Son’s presence. We would be wise to follow Jesus Christ and receive the gifts that He has provided.”

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