During this holiday season we tend to enjoy the many festivities of this time of year, especially that holiday treats. Whether the treat is hot chocolate or candy canes, the sweetest part of Christmas is the chance to serve others.

Service is really what Christmas is all about. When we celebrate Christmas we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. His gift that was given to all mankind was that most powerful and most perfect gift that there is. He gave this gift freely because of the love he feels for each of us as His brothers and sisters. This season then, is about giving and about helping others for that truly was the message of the Savior and the mission of his life.

It is of course part of the tradition of Christmas to purchase gifts for our family members and friends. One might wonder, however, it we think about the opportunities of giving service to others that are in need all around us. The true meaning of Christmas is not simply buying a shiny gift, but the gift of giving ones self. One individual shares the following experience: "One of my fondest memories as a child growing up was when I was about seven years old my parents called our family together that December and told us that there was family that they knew of that wasn't going to have a Christmas.

The family had fallen on hard times and the father had been laid off work. My parents asked us if we would be willing to give that family our Christmas and use the means that would have been spent on our gifts for purchasing gifts for their children instead. I will admit that for a seven year old that wasn't an easy decision and at first I struggled with it but after thinking about the family and knowing the kids, a couple of them were close to my age, I thought it would be worth it.

I can remember going to the toy store and shopping for each of the children. We realized that we enjoyed shopping for those kids more than the thought of getting our own toys and presents. I will never forget how exciting it was as we went to their house and left the bags of presents, rang the doorbell, and ran away. I remember imagining how excited the family would be. At seven years old my parents helped me truly understand the real meaning of Christmas."

This Christmas season let us reach out a little more to those around us that might be in need. However difficult we believe our circumstance to be, there is always someone else that is struggling more than we are and needs a helping hand. Let us remember what Christmas is all about, our Savior and His life.