Christmas Eve

The white “Christ candle” is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve, symbolizing that the True Light has come into the world to usher in the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah 31:31–34. The Lord himself referred to this covenant at the Last Supper when he said that the sacrament represented his “blood of the new testament, which is shed for many” (Mark 14:24). He thus made possible the blessings and promises of the “new and everlasting covenant” mentioned throughout latter-day revelation, whereby we are promised all that God has if we have faith in Christ and make sacred covenants of our own in his name.

The lyrics of the Catalonian carol “What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger” beautifully review the nativity of our Lord but also point us forward to his life, death, and resurrection.

Likewise, the words of the much-loved sacrament hymn, “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth,” both

recall the birth of the Son of God in a stable and point our minds forward to his glorious Second Coming, an important message of the Advent season.

The last candle may be lit in connection with the reading of the traditional Christmas story of Luke 2 or while singing Christmas carols, particularly “SILENT NIGHT.”

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and

with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day

that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake,

although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people . . . for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31–34)

“ . . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city

of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be

taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.

“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. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find

the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’

“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 2:1–1)

“What shall we give to the Babe in the manger, 

What shall we offer the child in the stall? 

Incense and spices and gold we’ve got plenty, 

Are these the gifts for the King of us all?

“What shall we give to the boy in the temple,

What shall we offer the Man by the sea? 

Palms at his feet and hosannas uprising, 

Are gifts for Him who will carry the Tree.

“What shall we give to the Lamb who was offered, 

Rising the third day and shedding His love? 

Tears for his mercy we’ll weep at the manger, 

Bathing the infant come down from above.”

“What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger?” Traditional Catalonian Carol, arr. Mack Wilberg (from A

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas)

Jesus, once of humble birth,

Now in glory comes to earth.

Once he suffered grief and pain;

Now he comes on earth to reign.

Now he comes on earth to reign.

Once a meek and lowly Lamb,

Now the Lord, the great I Am.

Once upon the cross he bowed;

Now his chariot is the cloud.

Now his chariot is the cloud.

Once he groaned in blood and tears;

Now in glory he appears.

Once rejected by his own,

Now their King he shall be known.

Now their King he shall be known.

Once forsaken, left alone,

Now exalted to a throne.

Once all things he meekly bore,

But he now will bear no more.

But he now will bear no more.

“This is the wondrous and true story of Christmas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea is preface.  The three-year ministry of the Master is prologue. The magnificent substance of the story is His sacrifice, the totally selfless act of dying in pain on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of all of us. “The epilogue is the miracle of the Resurrection, bringing the assurance that ‘as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive’ (1 Cor. 15:22).

“There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.” - President Gordon B. Hinckley

“The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas,” Ensign, Dec. 2000, 2