7 Weeks of Christmas=7 Weeks of Christ's Teachings

I decided this morning that I don't need to even leave my house to live the gospel. Yes, service is good and we shouldn't be idle, but I can live the gospel from within my heart. A change of heart is the most important part, not just checking off the boxes. So I opened my scriptures to St. Matthew, read a verse about Christ's teachings which said, "judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged." I realized that is truly something I need to work on. I do judge others, and I wouldn't want others judging me the way I judge others sometimes. I repented of some judgments against others I have had in hopes to be better this season of Christmas. I feel that changing my heart through living Christ's teachings is a really good way to celebrate Christmas this year. I prayed for help, that I can see others the way Christ sees me, and that is with LOVE. That one word has stood out to me a lot lately. I tend to be task-oriented and try to check off the boxes: family history, visiting teaching, scripture study, going to church, fulfilling my calling, going to the Temple, etc. However, I'm just going through the motions sometimes instead of realizing the reason for these "tasks"--Love! We do these things because of LOVE. Love for Heavenly Father, love for others, and love for Jesus Christ. And it makes these tasks more meaningful when I think of doing them with love. So, this week I am working on not judging others.