Cover image via Gospel Media Library.

In a talk entitled “The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas,” our former prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley said “There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.” (Ensign Magazine, December 2000).

When the angel Gabriel visited Mary to let her know she was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God, he told her “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God…” (Luke 1:30)

The angel told Joseph “fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife…” (Matthew 1:20)

When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds on that holy night, he “said unto them, Fear not: for I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people…” (Luke 2:10)

One of the great questions, and one of the greatest fears, is “What happens after death?” Then comes the good news from Bethlehem that brings to each of us and to all the world that a Savior was born. Because of Him, our fears are replaced by peace, even by the Prince of Peace.

President Hinckley reminded us of the words of the prophet Isaiah: ““Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: … He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:4–5).

President Hinckley continued: “This is the wondrous and true story of Christmas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea is preface. The three-year ministry of the Master is prologue. The magnificent substance of the story is His sacrifice, the totally selfless act of dying in pain on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of all of us.”

“The epilogue is the miracle of the Resurrection, bringing the assurance that “as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22).”

Then an invitation from President Hinckley: “For each of you may this be a merry Christmas. But more importantly, I wish for each of you a time, perhaps only an hour, spent in silent meditation and quiet reflection on the wonder and the majesty of this, the Son of God. Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself—these are of the true essence of Christmas.”

May we all feel comfort and joy, peace and good will that can overcome all our fears as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!

And please accept our sincerest best wishes for this Christmas and the coming New Year!