Hello friends! I love this time of year: the gratitude, the giving, the family, the love. The focus on Jesus Christ. Just a few weeks ago, the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson, challenged us to re-read the Book of Mormon:

“I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. As impossible as that may seem with all you are trying to manage in your life, if you will accept this invitation with full purpose of heart, the Lord will help you find a way to achieve it. And, as you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation.”

The entire Book of Mormon is full of prophecies about and the teachings of Jesus Christ, so it’s the perfect challenge with which to end the year. And, lucky you, I have these handy-dandy 40 Days of Christ (full disclosure: I received them at church and re-typed them—they are not my own invention) for you. Each day, starting November 15, gives you the chapters to read, a scripture to mark and ponder, a spiritual thought of the day, and a thought of the day. It’s fantastic. The last day (which is actually 41 days, go figure) is on Christmas.

I’m excited about this. I hope you join me (whether or not you’re a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Get a free Book of Mormon here). It’s a wonderful way of putting Christ back in the Christmas season, just where He belongs. And the Book of Mormon draws me closer to Him and brings me happiness.

Choose Joy.

—A