I have decided to share a daily challenge with you each day until Easter, April 1st. We are doing this in our Relief Society, and I thought I would like to share it here as well.  I shared a little about the challenge here.

Each day I will share the daily video here and then my personal thoughts about it after I have personally watched it. Today is the 7th day.

The Wise Men Seek Jesus

The Wise Men travel far to meet Jesus Christ and present Him with gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After their visit, Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt to protect Christ from the wicked King Herod, who wants to have Him killed.

Matthew 2:1-2, 11-15

1) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

11) And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12) And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13) And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14) When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15) And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

My Impressions:

I have two thoughts on this video today.  The first is that I never really stopped to think that the three wise men didn’t make their journey alone.  It makes sense though that they had servants or people helping them along the way.  I guess in my simple mind I just assumed they all got together, loaded up their camels and made a journey together…just the three of them.  Silly, but I imagine lots of people have thought this and many kids have that picture in their head.  Even seeing the extra pack animals with supplies makes sense to me.  I don’t know why I never thought of that before.

My second thought is about obedience.  The wise men were obedient in that they made the journey.  Then they were obedient when they left a different way than they came.  It would have been so much easier to just travel back the same way.  But they were warned, and they listened and obeyed.  Then Joseph and Mary were obedient and took their family into the wilderness to protect Jesus.  What a different story we would maybe know if they had not been obedient.  Obedience is important.  It matters.

What did you learn from today’s video?

I have decided to share a daily challenge with you each day until Easter, April 1st. We are doing this in our Relief Society, and I thought I would like to share it here as well.  I shared a little about the challenge here.

Each day I will share the daily video here and then my personal thoughts about it after I have personally watched it. Today is the 6th day.

The Christ Child Is Presented at the Temple

Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple, where the righteous Simeon blesses the baby and rejoices that the Lord let him live to see this day.

Luke 2: 22-38

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves , or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation ,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess , the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

My Impressions:

My thoughts are simple today.  I can only wonder at how special the spirit of the Savior was even as a baby.   I kind of marvel that so many who were prepared and close to the spirit recognized who he was even then.  And then I ponder why so many later still didn’t know and would not accept him.  Of course, I am still puzzled by this today and how people either recognize the Savior or they don’t.  It is interesting and I am glad I recognize Him.

What did you learn from today’s video?

I have decided to share a daily challenge with you each day until Easter, April 1st. We are doing this in our Relief Society, and I thought I would like to share it here as well.  I shared a little about the challenge here.

Each day I will share the daily video here and then my personal thoughts about it after I have personally watched it. Today is the fifth day.

Shepherds Learn of the Birth of Christ

The angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus Christ to shepherds watching their sheep in the fields. The shepherds visit Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Jesus, who is wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:8-18

8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

My Impressions:

My first impression was how the Shepherds were ready to defend their flocks when the angel first appeared.  I have never really thought about how unnerving that must have been for them to have someone appear out of nowhere in the middle of the night.  Their first instinct was to protect.  But then the angel knew that and immediately put them at ease and then delivered the news.

My second impression was how tired Mary must have been after just giving birth in a stable.  And yet, when she saw they had visitors, she sat up and held the baby up so they could see him.  How kind and generous she was to do that.  It was respectful and she knew they were there to see their Savior.  What a remarkable woman!

What did you learn from today’s video?

I have decided to share a daily challenge with you each day until Easter, April 1st. We are doing this in our Relief Society, and I thought I would like to share it here as well.  I shared a little about the challenge here.

Each day I will share the daily video here and then my personal thoughts about it after I have personally watched it. Today is the fourth day.

Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem

Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus Christ, travel to the city of Bethlehem. When they arrive, they find that there is no room for them in the inn. Instead, they find shelter in a stable where animals are kept. There, Christ is born and laid in a manger.

Luke 2:4-7

4) And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

My Impressions:

My first thought was how that would totally suck to ride a donkey all that way being so pregnant.  And how it didn’t matter that she was so pregnant, they still had to go.  I’m sure it took them longer than normal.  And how awful it was for them to try to find a place to stay.  They didn’t have the internet where they could just book a room online.  Or call and reserve a room in advance.  These are things we enjoy now that makes our lives easier when we need to travel.  I just can’t imagine the emotional and physical toll this took on Mary and on Joseph.  I’m glad I don’t have to do it that way.  We won’t even start on the taxes…haha!  I guess some things never change, right?

What did you learn from today’s video?

I have decided to share a daily challenge with you each day until Easter, April 1st. We are doing this in our Relief Society, and I thought I would like to share it here as well.  I shared a little about the challenge here.

Each day I will share the daily video here and then my personal thoughts about it after I have personally watched it. Today is the third day.

The Naming of John the Baptist

John the Baptist is born. Zacharias prophesies of John’s mission to prepare the way for the Son of God.

Luke 1 :57-80

57 Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judæa.

66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

My Impressions:

I think it is inspiring how Elisabeth had the courage to correct them while naming her son.  And then she was supported by her husband and then he was blessed because they were following the Lord.  This reminds me that it might not be easy to follow the counsel of the Lord.  It might take a lot of courage. However, following the counsel of the Lord is always right and I will be blessed for doing it.

What did you learn from today’s video?