The Gift Beyond Five Below: Remembering the True Meaning of Christmas

The spirit of Christmas can be a peculiar thing. Caught amidst the clamor of consumerism and the pressure of manufactured joy, it's easy to lose sight of the profound, eternal truth at its heart. The recent podcast from Saints in the South, “A Different Kind of Christmas Story,” offered a refreshing antidote to this modern malaise. Listening to the Howell family recount their traditions, particularly the “Five Below” gift exchange and the delivery of treats, wasn't just charming—it was a testament to the power of simple, deliberate acts of love and service.

The episode, delightfully unedited and brimming with the energy of children, highlighted a beautiful pattern: intentionality. The drawing of names, the careful selection of gifts, the baking of cookies, the delivery to neighbors – these weren’t merely activities; they were acts of devotion, strengthening familial bonds and extending charity to the community. It’s a microcosm of what we are called to do as Latter-day Saints, to actively seek opportunities to lift and serve those around us. As Moroni taught, “Charity never faileth; wherefore, if these things are done, they are not done in vain” (Moroni 7:44).

What struck me most profoundly, however, wasn't the sweetness of the traditions themselves, but the underlying understanding of the true gift of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ. The episode subtly underscored the immensity of that sacrifice, the ultimate act of selfless love that secures our eternal progression. To truly grasp the magnitude of Christ’s atonement, to feel the weight of what He bore for us, is to be humbled and profoundly grateful. It’s a lesson repeated in the scriptures: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The children’s excitement, the mother’s quiet pride in her baking, the father’s amusement at the chaos – these moments revealed a family deeply rooted in faith and tradition. They understood, even in their youthful exuberance, that Christmas wasn't about the presents received, but about the spirit of giving and the remembrance of a Savior who gave everything. This is the spirit that guides us along the iron rod, a constant reminder of the path to eternal life.

We often speak of the Restoration as a time of renewed clarity, a return to the pure and simple ordinances of the gospel. The Howell family’s Christmas celebration, in its unassuming simplicity, embodies that spirit. It reminds us that the most powerful testimonies aren't delivered from pulpits, but are lived out in our homes, in our communities, in the quiet acts of kindness that ripple outward, touching the lives of others.

Let us examine our own traditions, our own celebrations, and ask ourselves: are we focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, or are we caught up in the distractions of the world? Let us strive to emulate the Howell family’s example, to create spaces of love, service, and remembrance, where the spirit of Christ can truly dwell.