Once a Year on this Day

Once a year on this day
We raise a flag of truce
And our own needs we give away
For the babe beneath the spruce

May we then more resolve
For the new year to come
To see our enemies with love
Because of the living Son

Christmas comes but once a year
To teach us all one thing
Truly our Savior is so near
When in friendship gifts we bring

First comes Christmas, a time when much of the world pauses to honor the miraculous birth of the Savior. Even the unbelieving tend to mimic in some way the spirit of Christ by giving gifts to one another. It is no wonder why so many people consider it their favorite time of year, despite weather that often is biting and bitter, and days that are dark and short in the northern hemisphere.

President Spencer W. Kimball said Christmas "comes once a year to reveal to us the beautiful and near approach man can make to the divine, to the ideal, to the Christlike life.

"Once a year on this day we raise the flag of truce. All men are friends. We are our 'brother's keeper.' It comes so clearly to us that all mean well, that their greetings are sincere. We lift high the open hand of fellowship. There is no race, no color, no rich or poor, no bond or free. Christmas comes to remind us of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. It comes to show us the real progress we would make, could all our days be unselfish, friendly, helpful, and clear of bitterness and strife" (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, Bookcraft, p. 47).

After Christmas, much of the world begins to look forward to a new year, and the opportunities it offers for improvement. Goals can be set at any time, of course. But the calendar offers a unique excuse to change with the changing of the year.

A time for reflection
Published: Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005
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picture is from http://vivrearia.blogspot.com/2009/11/metropolitan-museums-christmas-tree-and.html
THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND NEAPOLITAN BAROQUE CRECHE AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART, NEW YORK, A LONG ESTABLISHED YULETIDE TRADITION IN NEW YORK, WILL BE ON VIEW FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON FROM 24.NOVEMBER THROUGH 6.JANUARY.2010. THE BRIGHTLY LIT, 20 FOOT BLUE SPRUCE, WITH A STUNNING COLLECTION OF 18th CENTURY NEAPOLITAN ANGELS AND CHERUBS AND GROUPS OF REALISTIC CRECHE FIGURES FLANKING THE NATIVITY SCENE AT ITS BASE, WILL ONCE AGAIN DELIGHT HOLIDAY VISITORS IN THE MUSEUM'S MEDIEVAL SCULPTURE HALL. SET IN FRONT OF THE 18th CENTURY SPANISH CHOIR SCREEN FROM THE CATHEDRAL OF VALLADOLID, WITH RECORDED CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND AND DAILY LIGHTING CEREMONIES, THE INSTALLATION REFLECTS THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.