A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’s timeless holiday story, was published in London on December 19, 1843, and sold out its entire first printing by Christmas Eve. Written in just six weeks during a period of personal financial strain, the story follows the bitter Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, leading him to repentance and renewal. Inspired by Dickens’s concern for the poor and his own difficult childhood, the novella teaches enduring lessons of compassion, redemption, and generosity. Through Scrooge’s transformation, A Christmas Carol continues to remind us in His Story that hearts can change, love can grow, and Christmas is meant to be lived not just for a day, but all year long.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/dickens-christmascarol-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

The Nutcracker, the beloved Christmas ballet by Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, premiered on December 18, 1892, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and has since become a treasured holiday tradition around the world. Based on a fairy tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann and adapted by Alexandre Dumas, the story follows young Marie as her wooden nutcracker comes to life, defeats the Mouse King, and carries her on a dreamlike journey to the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Though its early reception was modest, the ballet gained lasting popularity through later productions—especially in the United States—and is now one of the most frequently performed ballets of all time. With its magical music, elaborate staging, and themes of wonder and transformation, The Nutcracker reminds us in His Story that God can speak to His children through dreams and gentle impressions, inviting us to listen for truth, beauty, and light during the Christmas season.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/nut-cracker-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

Ludwig van Beethoven, baptized on December 17, 1770, became one of the greatest composers in history, reshaping music through his bold symphonies, sonatas, and concertos—even as he battled personal hardship and eventual deafness. A gifted child raised under an abusive father, Beethoven supported his family by age ten and published his first work at twelve. His early masterpieces, such as the “Moonlight” Sonata, reflected both deep emotion and spiritual longing. From 1803 to 1812 he produced many of his greatest compositions, and although he could no longer hear the applause at the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, his music changed the world. Beethoven’s life and the work of other classical composers who shaped Christmas music remind us that uplifting music invites the Spirit into our hearts—filling us with peace, hope, and joy as we celebrate the gift of the Savior.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/beethoven-christmascomposers-6

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

On December 16, 1901, Beatrix Potter privately published The Tale of Peter Rabbit, a story that grew into one of the best-selling children’s books in history and launched her career as the beloved author-illustrator of 23 classics. Though raised in a quiet, sheltered home, Potter spent her childhood sketching animals, exploring the countryside, and developing a love for nature that filled her stories with charm and gentle humor. Her summers in Scotland and England’s Lake District inspired characters like Jemima Puddle-Duck and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and her success eventually allowed her to buy Hill Top Farm, where she wrote, drew, and became an accomplished conservationist and sheep farmer. Before her death in 1943, she protected thousands of acres of land by donating her properties to the National Trust, teaching us through both her stories and her life to cherish God’s creations—“all things bright and beautiful.”

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/beatrix-potter-6

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

The Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution—was ratified on December 15, 1791, securing essential freedoms like religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. During the nation’s early debates, Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed on how to protect individual liberties until leaders such as George Mason and James Madison pushed for a national bill of rights. Congress approved twelve amendments, and ten became law, outlining protections against government overreach including fair trials, security from unreasonable searches, and reserving powers to the states and the people. These amendments remain a cornerstone of American freedom today, inviting us to reflect on which of these God-given rights matters most personally and how gratitude for liberty can shape the way we use our voices for good.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/bill-rights-3

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

On December 14, 1911, Roald Amundsen and his small Norwegian team became the first explorers to reach the South Pole, arriving five weeks before the British expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott in one of history’s most dramatic polar races. Amundsen had secretly changed his plans from the Arctic to the Antarctic, sailing on the polar ship Fram and using expert ski skills and dog teams to cross the icy plateau and discover new routes like the Axel Heiberg Glacier. He left a tent, a flag, and a letter for Scott, whose party reached the Pole weeks later but tragically perished on their return north. Though Amundsen’s success was long overshadowed by the loss of the British team, today both expeditions are honored at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station, reminding us that life’s journeys—like theirs—are filled with danger, courage, and choice. As Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, our mortal adventure is worth the risk because of who we can become, inviting each of us to trust God and learn from our own trials as part of His Story.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/south-pole-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

National Cocoa Day on December 13 celebrates the warm comfort of hot cocoa, a drink whose roots stretch back thousands of years to the Olmecs and Mayans, who first cultivated cacao—the “food of the gods.” From Columbus introducing cocoa beans to Europe, to Spanish physicians praising its health benefits, to early American chocolate makers like John Hanan and Dr. James Baker refining it in the colonies, hot chocolate has long been a treasured treat. Today we enjoy it in countless varieties, topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, or chocolate curls, yet its greatest sweetness may be how it brings people together. As we gather with loved ones and savor a warm cup, we’re reminded that God places us in families to learn joy, patience, and love—inviting us to strengthen our homes and relationships as part of His Story today.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/hot-chocolateday-6

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.

Gingerbread House Day, celebrated each year on December 12, honors a beloved Christmas tradition that began centuries ago with the arrival of gingerbread in Europe, brought by Gregory of Nicopolis in 992 AD. Over time, gingerbread became an art form—shaped into saints, royal portraits, and festive figures, eventually leading German bakers in the early 1800s to create the first decorated gingerbread houses inspired by the tale of Hansel and Gretel. Gingerbread later became a symbol of Christmas celebration worldwide, with intricate cottages, candies, and frosting turning simple dough into seasonal joy—highlighted even by record-breaking creations like the 67-foot-tall gingerbread house built in 2001. As we build our own gingerbread houses today, we’re reminded to spiritually build our homes as well, making them “a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, [and] a house of God” (D&C 88:119).

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/gingerbread-house-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.