I love the Christmas season. 

I love the decorations, the music, the movies, the advent calendars, the lights, the kindness, the giving, the general sense of excitement, joy, peace, and love.  But I especially love the time to really focus on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Over the years we have done a variety of things to try and keep our focus on Jesus.  When our kids were young, they dressed up as characters in the Nativity story and we read Luke 2.  Some years, we used a special advent calendar we have that has small pictures of Jesus with scriptures on the back.  Each day, we would read read a scripture and turn over a new picture.

Watching The Chosen

This year we decided to do something different.  Each night, we are watching a small part of one of our favorite Christian shows depicting the life of the Savior.  The Chosen.  I’m sure many of you are familiar with this show, but if not, I HIGHLY recommend it.  It is the best depiction of the Savior, his apostles, and the world at that time that I have ever seen.  I believe the people behind this production are truly inspired of God.

There are currently three seasons with the fourth to be released next year.  You can watch all of the episodes for free here!

Watching The Chosen as a family this Christmas season has been amazing.  It has been a great way to end each day, feeling the true spirit of the season and gives us the encouragement to be like the Savior ourselves.  Jesus is the light of the world and he wants us to be the same! 

Let Your Light Shine

I love this quote by C.S. Lewis,

“Don’t shine so that others can see you.  Shine, so that through you, others can see Him.”

I believe this and try to pass this on to my kids. We do good not for our own recognition or honor, but so others can feel the love of the Savior. We serve to help bring others unto Christ. And that makes or own life SO MUCH BETTER!

Here are a bunch of ideas you can use to let your light shine. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world

A Simple Testimony

I have a testimony that Jesus is the Christ.  He came to this world so that he could atone for our sins.  He suffered and died so that all of us can be made clean and return to our Father in Heaven.  He is our Savior, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings.  I love Him and am so grateful for this wonderful time of year!

Merry Christmas!

~ Rachel