The LDS Church prepared, wrapped and delivered a holiday gift to Utah's Latino community Thursday, presenting the Christmas story through music, song and narrative.

"El Regalo de Navidad" (the Gift of Christmas) began its three-day run in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. Presented almost entirely in Spanish, the program featured instrumental music, soloists, a children's choir and a 400-voice choir performing traditional Christmas carols from Spain, Latin America and other parts of the world.

The Andean musician group "Los Hermanos de los Andes" presented their distinctive sound.

For the past several years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has staged an annual cultural or religious program for the Latino community. Thursday marked the first time the event celebrated Christmas.

Elder Claudio R.M. Costa of the church's Presidency of the Seventy offered a Christmas message that noted the many diverse yuletide traditions of Latin America. He spoke of "El Pesebre" — the Nativity scene that is common in many countries such as Peru — that depicts the story of Christ's birth.

The cultural traditions of Christmas foods, such as Bolivian bunuelos (small round doughnuts) and Colombian natilla (a corn-based dessert,) are also enjoyed by families during the holiday season, said Elder Costa. Meanwhile, the centuries-old Mexican tradition of the Posada procession symbolizes Mary and Joseph's journey in search of shelter before Jesus' birth.

"All these traditions join families together, and they are good and different," Elder Costa said. "But there is something in common among all the Latino towns — it is Christmas."

On Christmas there are no closed doors among Latinos, be it in their homes or hearts, he added. "Everyone is prompted by the goodness and love of Jesus Christ. Everybody is filled with the love of Jesus Christ."

Elder Costa read the New Testament Christmas story found in Luke. The "great and true" regalo of Christmas, he said, is the birth of Christ himself, allowing a path for people to return to God.

"May the Christmas spirit fill our hearts with the pure love of Christ for all our brothers and sisters, and may our thoughts and hearts be poured out to him and to his teachings," Elder Costa said.

Additional performances of "El Regalo de Navidad" are schedule for Friday, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. No tickets are available.

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