My brothers and sisters, may the spirit of love which comes at

Host:
The quiet of the evening settled in, the soft hum of the world outside barely noticeable as Jack and Jeeny sat together in the cozy warmth of the room. The glow from the fireplace flickered gently, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Outside, the world was dark, but inside, there was a warmth that didn’t just come from the fire, but from the shared space between them.

Jack had just read aloud the quote from Thomas S. Monson:

"My brothers and sisters, may the spirit of love which comes at Christmastime fill our homes and our lives and linger there long after the tree is down and the lights are put away for another year."

The words felt both gentle and powerful, reminding them that the spirit of Christmas wasn’t meant to be something temporary — a passing season of joy and giving — but something that should linger, long after the decorations had been put away.

Jack:
(he looks at Jeeny, his voice soft but full of reflection)
"You know, there’s something deeply comforting in those words. The idea that the spirit of love and kindness doesn’t just belong to Christmas, but should stay with us, stay in our homes, long after the decorations come down."

(He takes a slow breath, his gaze distant, as if reflecting on something personal.)
"It feels like we often box up the Christmas spirit when the holiday ends. The decorations come down, the lights are turned off, and we go back to the normal rhythm of life. But what if we didn’t pack away the spirit of love with the ornaments?"

Jeeny:
(she smiles softly, her voice steady, almost peaceful)
"I think that's exactly what Thomas Monson is saying — that love, kindness, and compassion shouldn’t be seasonal. It’s not just about December. It’s about carrying that spirit into the new year and letting it guide us through the months ahead."

(She leans forward slightly, her eyes reflecting the sincerity of the conversation.)
"Christmas might remind us of love, but the spirit of that love should be something we carry with us all year long. Giving, compassion, gratitude — these shouldn’t be things we just associate with a holiday. They should be part of our everyday lives."

Host:
The stillness in the room deepens as their words sink in. The idea that the spirit of Christmas isn’t just a fleeting moment, but something to be carried with us every day, brings a sense of peace. Jack and Jeeny sit together, the weight of the conversation settling like a quiet understanding between them. The world outside may continue with its usual noise, but in here, the room feels full, not just with the glow from the fire, but with a shared sense of connection, of something lasting and real.

Jack:
(he nods slowly, his voice soft, almost reassured)
"Yeah, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of the holiday season, to think that it’s the decorations, the gifts, the things that define the holiday spirit. But maybe the real spirit of Christmas is the love we share, the kindness we give, and the gratitude we show — and that should be present in every season."

(He smiles slightly, a sense of understanding crossing his face.)
"Maybe it’s about letting the spirit of Christmas linger in our hearts and our homes all year long. Not just during the holidays, but always."

Jeeny:
(she smiles warmly, her voice light, filled with quiet wisdom)
"Exactly. Love isn’t something we should only feel at Christmastime. It’s something we need to nurture and share throughout the year, even when the trees are down, and the lights are put away. It’s the spirit of giving that doesn’t end with the season. It’s something we carry with us every day."

(She takes a breath, the peace of the thought settling between them.)
"And I think that’s what makes Christmas so special — it’s not just about the holiday. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when we bring that spirit of love into our lives, into our homes, and into the world around us."

Host:
The room seems warmer now, not just from the fire but from the sense of shared understanding that has woven through their conversation. The quiet truth that love, kindness, and compassion are not just Christmas ideals, but should be part of our everyday lives, lingers in the space between them. The world outside may rush by, but inside, Jack and Jeeny sit in the quiet realization that the spirit of Christmas doesn’t have to fade. It can live with us, year-round, if we choose to let it.

As the fire crackles softly in the background, their conversation feels like a promise — that love, once ignited, can stay burning, long after the tree comes down and the lights are packed away.

Jack:
(slowly, with a soft smile)
"I think I’m going to try to hold on to that — the spirit of Christmas, not just in December, but every day. It’s about choosing to keep the love, the kindness, the joy alive, no matter what season it is."

(She smiles back, the warmth of the moment reflecting in her eyes.)
"And that, Jack, is what makes life truly special — choosing to live with love every day, not just for a season."

Host:
The light continues to fade outside, but inside, the room feels full of warmth and understanding. The world may move on, but for now, Jack and Jeeny have found something lasting in their conversation. The spirit of Christmas, the spirit of love, is something that doesn’t have to be boxed up with the decorations. It can linger, day after day, season after season, if we choose to make it so.

End Scene