Just Jesus: Keeping Christ's Light at the Center of Christmas

Do you have a mantra to get you through whatever life throws at you? Especially during Christmas, you might be repeating something like, “I can do this” or “this too shall pass” or “mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again.” And we all want to prioritize the Savior and His birth during this time of year. This season, to return to the peace of Christ, repeat this mantra: “just Jesus."   Podcast producer is joined by Kristen McQuivey as she shares what has been on her mind regarding this new Christmas mantra she's introducing into her life. It’s inspired from Jared Halverson who shared in a video on Instagram his practices at Christmastime for letting Jesus be the light that pierces the darkness.    Follow us on Instagram @magnifycommunity for uplifting messages and community every day!

Have you ever thought of contentment as complacency? That's perhaps something we often misinterpret, but in today's conversation, we explore that contentment is actually a blessing of peace from the Lord. We hope this conversation can take a weight off our shoulders as we’re in the midst of what is not only known as, “the most wonderful time of the year,” but also the busiest! We're all searching for a little relief and source of joy, and we think it’s a conversation that will serve as a reminder that we can live differently and make our joy more apparent.   Hilary Craner joins this episode with podcast host Courtney Spencer and producer Sarah Collins. This conversation was based on an article that Hilary wrote for LDS Living. You can read it here.

Welcome to the Magnify Book Club! This month’s pick was The Christ Child by Adam Miller. Every other month, our community also does a public Zoom where you—yes you!—can join in and participate. This month it was hosted by author and Magnify contributor Melinda Brown. We decided to post the recording as a bonus episode where you can hear the host and members of our community jump in and share their thoughts on the book.

As we’re getting into the Christmas spirit, I am sure many of us ponder and study the life and birth of Jesus Christ. Many families put together a Christmas pageant where everyone takes on a role in the nativity scene to help us reflect on the birth of the Savior. And one role in that story that we want to dive deeper into is Mary the mother of Jesus. Her background and mention in the scriptures is relatively small. But in today’s guest’s words: “Her story reminds us that God is aware of all of His children and that He calls ordinary men and women to participate in extraordinary ways to help build His kingdom.”    Brooke Walker hosts this episode with Gaye Strathearn. Gaye is a Professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. She grew up in Australia, and she says she loves the game of cricket. In her words, she loves to, “potter around the house and yard” and even though she’s a big BYU fan, she does drive a red car... (we’ll forgive her for it). Gaye wrote this beautiful article in January 2019 called “Mary, the Mother of Jesus” that serves as the basis of this conversation.   Join us for our Book Club Zoom this Thursday, December 5th at 7pm MT. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMud-mrrDkvHN1uEb4tBB8uFOzpSMDPLtWC#/registration  

We wrapped up our Lift Up Your Heart events last weekend. It felt so uplifting to interact with women in our community. President Nelson asked us to "seek and expect miracles," and because we’ve been focusing on the miracles of peace, joy, courage, faith, and hope, they've become more prevalent in our every day. A goal here at Magnify is to build our community, so in this episode, you'll hear podcast host Courtney Spencer and producer Sarah Collins grab soundbites from both audience members and Lift Up Your Heart speakers share how they're seeking and expecting miracles.   Register for the Zoom book club where we'll be reading The Christ Child by Adam Miller. It will be hosted by contributor Melinda Brown.

It’s often easier in hindsight to see what God has orchestrated in our lives. President Eyring has even said, "When we find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness it will build our testimonies.” In theory we know this works. And we do it in practice as many of us make gratitude lists this time of year. But how do we make it so that we’re seeing God’s great work in our lives like it’s second nature, be it a moment of hardship or joy?   It’s something that’s on our minds and the mind of today’s guest, Emily Ann Adams, who wrote that she’s working to see God’s imprints all over the pages of her life—even when she’s in the thick of it. It’s a practice that has led her to more genuine gratitude and greater faith. Emily is an author, speaker, and mother to five—one of whom she lost as a stillborn. This plays into her story and she’s shared many of her experiences and perspectives in her books. She’s a hiker, a reader, a bit of a history lover, and she says that she tries to strengthen her relationship with Jesus and her Heavenly Father daily.   Join us for Lift Up Your Heart this weekend! Use code PODCAST10 at checkout for $10 off per registration. https://www.magnifythegood.com/events  

Magnify just announced our book club pick for November and December and it’s The Christ Child by Adam Miller. And this book will make your Christmas. If you're looking for that thing that will bring you that "Christmasy" feeling you love during this season, this is just the thing. This book takes us on a meditative and poetic journey to answer the question, “why did Christ come to earth as a baby?” It's all about how we can become more like the Savior by becoming more like a child—and those attributes that go along with it.   Podcast producer Sarah Collins is joined by BYU professor and philosopher Dr. Katie Paxman.   Join us for the book club Zoom where you can join in the dialogue with host Mindy Brown! December 5th at 7:00pm MT. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMud-mrrDkvHN1uEb4tBB8uFOzpSMDPLtWC#/registration   Register for our final Lift Up Your Heart event in Salt Lake City on November 22nd and 23rd. As a podcast listener, use code PODCAST10 at checkout for $10 off per registration.* https://www.magnifythegood.com/events *Does not work on already applied group discount.

A topic that is on many of our minds is knowing what to do when a child or someone we love takes a different path that leads them away from the Church. We are hopeful that this episode will help alleviate some of the pain and anxiety that we feel when this happens. No matter your family circumstances, this is an important conversation in our efforts to be peacemakers.    Author, speaker, and Magnify contributor Melinda Brown appears as a guest on this episode with Michelle Torsak, Executive Director of Content for Deseret Book. Mindy has experienced her own child stepping away from the Church, and she opens up about her experience and advice. Mindy shares three truths she holds on to when dealing with these anxieties as well as provides practical applications for when we find ourselves in these circumstances. She shares this comforting line, "we are all wanderers."   Click here for a link to Mindy's list of quotes and studies that she has compiled!   Still hoping to attend Lift Up Your Heart? You can register for St. George, happening on November 9th, and Salt Lake City, on November 22nd and 23rd by heading to magnifythegood.com/events. As a podcast listener, use code PODCAST10 at checkout for $10 off per registration!   Follow us on Instagram @magnifycommunity to continue the conversation.

Part of our mission at Magnify is to help each other be a force for good in our own spheres of influence. Sometimes that happens in ways we least expect it to. Celeste Mergens, the founder of Days for Girls, grew up in poverty. It was her understanding of what children going hungry felt like that led her first to her knees, and then to fill a need. She believes that the things you go through don't define you, but they can always bless you. Her superpower? Gratitude, and that's how she has learned to ask the right questions, listen when others are speaking, and lead with assuredness.   Celeste is the founder of Days for Girls—a non-profit whose mission is to increase access to menstrual care and education throughout the world. She’s a speaker, who has been featured in magazines like Oprah’s O Magazine and Forbes, an author, and an award-winning businesswoman. Celeste is also a wife and a mother to 6 children and 19 grandchildren, and she loves spending time with her family. She’s currently serving with her husband as a mission leader in the Washington Everett mission.   Join us for our final Lift Up Your Heart events. Registration is open now for St. George on November 9th and Salt Lake City on November 22nd and 23rd. Use code PODCAST10 at checkout* for $10 off per registration. https://www.magnifythegood.com/events   *Does not stack with a group discount.

Did you know we have a bookclub? This month’s pick was Rock of Our Redeemer by Elder David A. Bednar. Our community also does a public Zoom where you—yes you!—can join in and participate. This month it was hosted by Tammy Uzelac Hall. We decided to post the recording as a bonus episode where you can hear the host and members of our community jump in and share their thoughts on the book.