PHOTO ESSAY

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.” (3 Nephi 1: 13)

“And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness: and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.” (3 Nephi 1: 15) (Photo by ASP)

“It is my prayer that the Spirit will bless us, this Christmas and in the years to come, with the power to offer others gifts of love and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. I know that the Spirit can lead each of us in many and simple ways to give love, faith and joy to others at this season of rejoicing.” (President Henry B. Eyring)

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2: 7)

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2: 13, 14)

“What kind of receivers are we? Do we, like the Savior, recognize gifts as expressions of love?…I hope that this Christmas and every day of the year we will consider, in particular, the many gifts we have been given by our loving Heavenly Father. I hope we will receive these gifts with the wonder, thankfulness and excitement of a child.” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13: 11, 12)

“And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engraving of a signet, Holiness to the Lord.” (Exodus 18: 36) “In that day there shall be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness to the Lord.” (Zechariah 14: 20)

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2: 8-11)

Samuel the Lamanite Prophet foretold: “And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.” (Hellman 14: 5) “And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.” (3 Nephi 1: 21)

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7: 14)

“Christmas is the Spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. It is peace because we have found peace in the Savior’s teachings. It is the time we realize most deeply that the more love is expended, the more there is of it for others.” (President Thomas S. Monson) (Photo by ASP)

“I testify that Jesus Christ was the literal Son of God and the Savior of the world. He was the perfect gift from our loving Father. At this and every season, our Savior invites us to join with Him and others to offer the priceless gift of joy.” (President Henry B. Eyring) (Photo by ASP)

“The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.” (Alma 30: 44)

“My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore my hand shall be over thee.” (Abraham 2: 8)

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us to up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2: 2,3)

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14: 6, 7)

“And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came…And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.” (3 Nephi 1: 15, 19)

“Redeemer of Israel, Our only delight, On whom for a blessing we call, Our shadow by day, and our pillar by night, Our King, our Deliv’rer, our all!” (Hymns, Redeemer of Israel, No. 6)

“Heavens light flows Through the windows Warming even walls of stone In the refuge of the temple I find strength beyond my own. “I can feel the power of heaven as I stand on holy ground And the Spirit whispers what I long to learn Eyes are touched with understanding I can see beyond this world It’s the place I reach for heaven And it reaches in return.” (Tammy Simister Robinson, “Strength Beyond My Own)

“And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88: 67)

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2: 1,2)

“They departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matthew 2: 9, 10) (Photo by ASP)

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2: 11)

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy Night, O night divine! (O Holy Night, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure) From all of us at Meridian: May the blessings and spirit of Christmas be with you and in your homes and hearts throughout this season and the coming year.