"Then
on both sides of the veil a heavenly host broke into song. “Glory to
God in the highest,” they sang, “and on earth, peace among men of good
will.” (Luke 2:14, Phillips Translation.) But except for heavenly witnesses, these three were alone: Joseph, Mary, the baby to be named Jesus.
At
this focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new
star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other
mortal watched—none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin
mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the
sacredness they had seen.
Shepherds
would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the
memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph—and
all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little
family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby—that’s how
Christmas began.
It
is for this baby that we shout in chorus: “Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn king! … Mild he lays his glory by, Born that man
no more may die: Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them
second birth.” (Hymns, no. 60.)"
Read more of Elder Holland's address from December 1976 HERE.
