From Deseret News archives:

Christ offers hope, Pres. Hinckley says

Published: Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006 10:34 p.m. MST
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Anonymous acts of kindness reflect Christ's love and will be "rewarded in heaven," said President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency. "I wish to express appreciation and thanks to all who open their hearts and give to others.

"Those of us who contribute anonymously have sweet inner feelings of the spirit that swell inside when we do something for others that cannot be traced back to ourselves. Anonymous giving gives the gift a higher form of sanctification."

He told of a young mother who found herself alone with six small children in Indiana decades ago. After securing a job at a truck stop that required her to work the graveyard shift, she had to fill the tires on her old car with air before and after each shift to make it back and forth.

One morning after her shift, she found four new tires on the back seat, left by unnamed benefactors. Even so, Christmas was approaching, and she knew there would be no money for gifts, so she tried to paint old toys in preparation for the holiday.

Early Christmas morning, as she left work, her battered car was filled to overflowing with boxes of all shapes and sizes. Blue jeans, shirts, candy, groceries, toys and a doll.

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"As that young mother drove back through empty streets on that most amazing Christmas Day, she sobbed with gratitude. She would never forget the joy on the faces of those little ones that precious Christmas morning. Surely there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And many of them hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop!"

E-mail: carrie@desnews.com

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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

President Hinckley speaks during First Presidency Christmas Devotional. At Christmastime, there is "magic in the air," he observed.

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