Many people assume that Jesus Christ was born on December 25th because that's when Christmas is celebrated worldwide. But is that really when Jesus was born?

Learn the true date Christ was born in this FAQ or browse through other resources about Jesus Christ and Christmas.

During this Christmas season I've been following my own advice of Keeping Christ in Christmas, but I've really struggled with number 3 to "Focus Decorations on Christ". Throughout our home we have several pictures of Christ, including a beautiful collage with pictures of Christ that border The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.

We also have a picture of Mary holding the baby Jesus, two nativity sets, a magnetic version of my Nativity Advent Calendar, and a few other Christ centered decorations and ornaments, but it's been a frustrating struggle to find additional decorations that focus on the birth of Christ.

For several Christmases now, it's been almost impossible to find Christmas cards, wrapping paper, gift tags, gift bags, ornaments, and other Christmas decorations that focus on the true meaning of Christmas- which is Christ. As I've gone Christmas shopping I've become more and more frustrated with the over-commercialization of Christmas and the lack of focus on the birth of Jesus Christ.

A few years ago, I found a roll of Christmas wrapping paper that portrayed a lovely painting of Mary holding the baby Jesus, but this year all I've been able to find is a roll with the words, "Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, Noel, Joy, and Peace." I was unable to find any gift tags, bags, or boxes with the star, wise men, or other nativity related images or words. After some additional shopping I eventually found a box of Christmas cards displaying the nativity scene, but other than that, Christ related Christmas decorations are almost non-existent!

Needless to say I was thrilled when I learned about a new website that makes and sells nativity-oriented Christmas wrapping paper, called First Christmas Gift Wrap. They currently have three beautiful designs to choose from, with additional ones for next year.

Meridian Magazine has an interesting article by Cheri Loveless, the owner of First Christmas Gift Wrap, called, "Who's Keeping Christ Out of Christmas." The article shares her story and feelings of Christmas, which I really related to, and how she decided to do something about it.

How have you been able to focus your Christmas decorations on Christ? Where have you gone, what have you been able to find, and what have you done or made? I'd love to know the solutions you've been able to come up with!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has created an excellent new Christmas page which focuses on Christ as the "Real Gift of Christmas." On this site you'll find:

• The Christmas Story
• Christmas Videos
• Christmas Traditions
• Christmas Ideas
• Other Christmas Resources

The site also has free Christmas music and Christmas activity pages you can download. My favorite of the three songs currently available is, "What Child Is This?" from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's album Rejoice and Be Merry!

The Christmas videos are wonderful too. The sequence of events shown in the music video, "My Song in the Night," also performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, was especially moving.

At the beginning of each year the curriculum studied in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints changes. In 2010 the curriculum of study will be as follows:

• Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society
  1st Sunday: Topic Selected by Leader
  2nd & 3rd Sundays: Gospel Principles (new Manual)
  4th Sunday: Teachings for Our Time
  5th Sunday: Joint Meeting, Topic Selected by Bishop
• Aaronic Priesthood and Young Men
  Aaronic Priesthood Manual 2
• Young Women
  Young Women Manual 2
• Primary
  Ages 18 months-2 years: Nursery Manual
  Age 3: Primary 1 I Am a Child of God
  Ages 4-7: Primary 2 Choose the Right A
  Ages 8-11: Primary 6 Old Testament
• Sunday School
  Ages 12-13: Preparing for Exaltation
  New Members/Investigators: Gospel Principles (new Manual)
  Gospel Doctrine: Old Testament

Each manual is available online. Learn more about the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ.

Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate the holidays through similar activities. Find out some of our LDS Christmas traditions and then share with us your own Christmas traditions.

What about Christmas Eve? Do you have specific traditions you only hold on Christmas eve? If so you can share those with us too!

I love focusing on the Savior's birth at Christmas, and one of the ways I enjoy doing this is by setting up a Nativity scene. I also have this fun Nativity Advent Calendar, which children love!

There are enough pieces in this Nativity scene to put one up for each day of December. To make the Nativity advent calendar stronger I printed the pictures on card-stock, cut them out, and then laminate them. I also put magnets on the back to use on my refrigerator (or other metal surface) which makes it easy for children to participate.

Here's an enlarged picture of the Nativity Advent Calendar or visit the Christmas Category for more great Christmas resources!

After learning about the site, FollowtheProphet.net, I began to wonder how many people have actually met a prophet of God. I've seen a few of our prophets when attending a session of General Conference, but I don't consider that as actually having "met" the prophet.

For this poll I would say that you've met the prophet if you've ever greeted, addressed, shook hands with him, or something similar. If so, which prophet(s) have you met? Share your experience with us in the comments!

Also, if you've met a prophet, for example President Monson, before he became the prophet you can still count that as having "met" the prophet... you just did it before he was the president of the church. Although we consider the entire First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles to also be prophets, seers, and revelators, this poll specifically focuses on the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Previous poll: How Close is Your Nearest Temple?

There is a new, unofficial website called FollowtheProphet.net which monitors the global travel of our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.

The purpose of the site isn't to "stalk the prophet" but to help members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feel more connected with him. FollowtheProphet.net writes:

"The site will hopefully help members of the Church better know what the prophet is doing, what he is teaching, and to get to know the prophet as a person better."

You can also "follow the prophet" through the site's email distribution, RSS Feed, Twitter, or Facebook.

I think this site will be a great resource for members of the Church, and help us feel more connected to him, especially with the impossibility of every member being able to personally meet the prophet.

Thanks to LDS Media Talk for their post about this great new site!

This year I am thankful for many, many things, but I wanted to share a few of them with you. In no specific order, I am thankful for:

• Getting married to my wonderful husband, who treats me with love and respect and for whom I greatly admire
• My increased understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically faith, trusting in the Lord, and truth
• My study of the scriptures, including the Book of Mormon and lineage of Adam
• Temples and eternal families
• Prayer
• Living in a free country, and
• Knowledge

What are you thankful for?

Every year The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates Christmas in Salt Lake City, Utah by decorating Temple Square with an amazing lighted display. The lights are first lit the Friday following Thanksgiving and "Christmas on Temple Square" will begin.

Christmas events (see the Church calendar) are performed almost every day of the season, including the musical production Savior of the World, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert, and the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.

The devotional is usually held the first Sunday in December and will be broadcast from the Conference Center (free tickets are required) to church buildings world wide. All are welcome to come and enjoy the devotional in Temple Square or watch the broadcast from a local Stake Center.

If you've never seen the lights on Temple Square they're well worth the trip. Come celebrate with us Christmas and the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

See these other great Christmas resources.

Photos: Public Domain GNUFDL; Copyright Leon7 & Brian Davis