As Christmas preparations ramp up and move into full swing, may we remember to  pause to take a break from the sometimes, exhausting hustle and bustle that is connected with this holiday time. I reflect on the words of President James E. Faust, who, at a Christmas Devotional, said of this time of year:

“It is a time when we push back for a short time our concerns and challenges, and turn off unpleasantness, a time when we have uplift and feelings of good towards everyone. It is a special time as it gives us an opportunity to refocus our lives on the Savior and all He means to us.”

From the writings of Charles Dickens’ book and personal testimony to his family, The Life of Our Lord, I am reminded:

”It is Christianity TO DO GOOD, always – even to those who do evil to us. It is Christianity to love our neighbours as ourself, and to do to all men, as we would have them do unto us. It is Christianity to be gentle, merciful, and forgiving, and to keep those qualities quiet in our hearts, and never make a boast of them, or of our prayers or of our love of God, but always to show that we love Him by humbly trying to do right in everything. If we do this, and remember the life and lessons of our Lord Jesus Christ, and try to act up to them, we may confidently hope that God will forgive us our sins and mistakes, and enable us to live and die in peace.”

As we each strive at this special time of year to be more Christ-like, may we pause and give of our time, give service, and give the gift of self. May we share of ourselves and His message. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through temple and family history work, a service that we can do for others, and that which they cannot do for themselves. May we go forth to “do good always,” and receive with grateful hearts all His marvelous blessings He has in store for us now and in the coming year.