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\u201c<\/span>Puritans, Pagans, and Imperfect Christmas Gifts,\u201d<\/a> written by David F. Holland<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n Abstract:\u00a0<\/strong>Early American campaigns against Christmas illustrate both the irrepressibility of the impulse to celebrate Christ and what is lost when we reject the good that comes from suspect sources. Both lessons point us toward the Savior\u2019s gracious acceptance of our own imperfect offerings.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Here are the previous Christmas essays that we\u2019ve published in Interpreter<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Today actually does<\/em> mark the (217th) anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith.\u00a0 I posted something on the matter yesterday (see \u201cNoting Tomorrow\u2019s Anniversary of the Birth of Joseph Smith\u201d<\/a>) and, just now, I\u2019ve remembered another article of relevance that I wrote back in 2020:<\/p>\n \u201cLight Began Once More to Grow\u201d<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Abstract:<\/strong>\u00a0Readers are surely aware that the birth of the Christ child is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Members of the Church may be less aware, though, of the notable birth of a\u00a0child, millennia later, of distant secondary importance.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n In honor of the Prophet, whom I revere, I watched this 5.5-minute video<\/a>, which is accompanied by a powerfully emotional rendition of John Taylor\u2019s \u201cO Give Me Back My Prophet Dear.\u201d\u00a0 John Taylor, it will be recalled, was grievously wounded in the same cowardly mob attack in Carthage, Illinois, that claimed the lives of Joseph Smith and his brother, the Patriarch Hyrum Smith.\u00a0 Elder Taylor went on, eventually, to serve as the third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints<\/a>.\u00a0 I remember them today.\u00a0 Some others do, as well . . . in order to mock them.\u00a0 See Matthew 23:31<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n New Interpreter journal articles continue to appear every single Friday of the year, and new installments of the Interpreter Radio Show continue to be broadcast every single Sunday of the year.\u00a0 Lately, in anticipation of 2023 and its new curriculum (devoted to the New Testament), we\u2019ve modified the structure and format of our weekly radio program.\u00a0 Here are four examples of that new format, which we hope you will both enjoy and find useful:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Interpreter Radio Show \u2014 November 27, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n For this late-November episode of the Interpreter Radio Show broadcast, Steve Densley, Mark Johnson, Matt Bowen, and guest Kerry Muhlestein discussed Professor Muhlestein\u2019s new book Finding Promised Blessings on the Covenant Path<\/em>.\u00a0 The \u201cNew Testament in Context\u201d portion of this show, for\u00a0Come, Follow Me<\/em>\u00a0New Testament lesson 2, covering Matthew 1 and Luke 1, will be posted on Tuesday, December 27.<\/p>\n The Interpreter Radio Show is available live on the radio on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640.\u00a0 If you\u2019re too enamored of computer technology to deign to listen to in on the radio, though, you can nonetheless listen to it live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Interpreter Radio Show \u2014 December 4, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n In this iteration of the regular Interpreter Radio Show, Neal Rappleye, Jasmin Rappleye, and Stephen Smoot discussed a variety of topics with their characteristic vitality.\u00a0 And their conversation is now available to you at no charge.\u00a0 The \u201cNew Testament in Context\u201d portion of this show, for\u00a0Come, Follow Me<\/em> New Testament lesson 3, covering Matthew 2 and Luke 2, will be posted on Tuesday, 3 January 2023.<\/p>\n The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640.\u00a0 Or, if your sins or your location in, say, American Fork or North Salt Lake prevent you from listening on the radio, you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Interpreter Radio Show \u2014 December 11, 202<\/a>2:<\/a><\/p>\n In this episode of the weekly Interpreter Radio Show, the discussants for the first hour are Terry Hutchinson, John Gee, and Kevin Christensen. During the second hour, they are joined by special guest S. Kent Brown.\u00a0The \u201cNew Testament in Context\u201d portion of this show, for\u00a0Come, Follow Me<\/em> New Testament lesson 4, covering John 1, will be posted on Tuesday, 10 January 2023.<\/p>\n The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard each and every Sunday evening of the year from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640.\u00a0 If you can\u2019t get it on the radio, you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Interpreter Radio Show \u2014 December 18, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n For this, the 18 December 2022 installment of the Interpreter Radio Show, the discussants were Bruce Webster and Kris Frederickson. It is now available to you at no charge in a recorded and archived form that has been purified from commercial and other extraneous distractions.\u00a0 The \u201cNew Testament in Context\u201d portion of this show, for Come, Follow Me<\/em> New Testament lesson 5, covering Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3, will be posted on Tuesday, 17 January 2023.<\/p>\n The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640, or you can listen live on the Internet at\u00a0ktalkmedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Finally, I close with some items from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial \u201cHow Religion Poisons Everything\u201d File<\/em>\u00a9, so desperately necessary at this time of the year when theists attempt to seize and exploit the Xmas season for their nefarious religious purposes:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cLight and Hope Reach Millions Through #LightTheWorld Inspired Activities: #LightTheWorld initiative sparks service in Ghana, Vietnam, and elsewhere\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cChurch of Jesus Christ To Support Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin: Young adults from all over Europe will volunteer at the event\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n