Episode Overview

Episode Title: Blockin' Around the Christmas Tree • followHIM Favorites
Release Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Main Theme:
This special Christmas episode of FollowHIM Favorites focuses on finding joy and meaning in difficult holiday experiences, and how these moments can inspire new traditions and spiritual growth. In a brief but poignant segment, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway share a story from Brother Gabe Reed (a member of the Sunday School General Presidency) connecting the loss of tangible Christmas gifts to protecting and prioritizing covenant relationships with God.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brother Gabe Reed’s Christmas Story (00:17 – 02:34)

• Background:
  • John reads a heartfelt story from the December 2025 Liahona magazine.
  • Brother Gabe Reed, who grew up in American Samoa as one of 13 siblings in a small three-bedroom home, recalls how Christmas was always a special time for their family, focused on Christ, service, and giving.
• The Incident:
  • One Christmas, after their parents worked hard and saved to buy each child a gift, all the presents were stolen right before Christmas.
  • Quote (John Bytheway reading Reed):

    "Every single present had been stolen. Someone had broken in during the night and taken them all." (01:07)

• A New Family Tradition:
  • In response to the theft, Brother Reed’s family began sleeping around the Christmas tree every year to protect the gifts.
  • This “funny and tragic” tradition became a powerful symbol for the family.

2. Spiritual Takeaways: Protecting What Matters (01:45 – 02:34)

• Safeguarding Gifts vs. Safeguarding Covenants:
  • Brother Reed draws a powerful connection: just as his family guarded their physical gifts, we need to prioritize and protect our covenant relationship with Heavenly Father.
  • Quote (John Bytheway, reading Reed):

    "It reminded me how important it is to safeguard and prioritize our covenant relationship with Heavenly Father. Just as we protect our gifts… we need to protect and prioritize our covenant relationship." (01:44)

• Guidance in Uncertainty:
  • Reed emphasizes using covenants as a guiding compass through major life decisions (school, dating, missions, careers).
  • Quote:

    "When I feel that way, I let my covenants guide me. What do your baptismal and temple covenants say to do? What blessings has God promised you? When you prioritize your covenant relationship, everything else begins to fall into place." (02:03)

• President Nelson’s Counsel on Joy:
  • Quoting President Nelson:

    “The joy we feel...has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. Feeling the Savior’s love and joy is certainly the best Christmas gift we can receive.” (02:20)

3. Hosts’ Reflections & Practical Application (02:34 – 03:18)

• Turning Trials into Traditions:
  • Hank reflects on how it's "tough to have that all taken from you" but admires how the family turned adversity into a positive, memorable tradition (02:46).
  • John summarizes the story as “rough start, great finish,” emphasizing resilience and gratitude (02:35).
• Universal Message:
  • The hosts encourage listeners to “guard the tree” and more importantly, “guard your covenant relationship.” (02:57)
  • Hank humorously suggests:

    “Next time something goes wrong at Christmas, I might say, well, got a new tradition now.” (03:09)

• Encouraging Listeners:
  • John invites listeners facing a difficult holiday to consider starting a new tradition in response, turning a negative into a source of strength and meaning (03:18).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brother Gabe Reed (via John Bytheway):

  "It reminded me how important it is to safeguard and prioritize our covenant relationship with Heavenly Father. Just as we protect our gifts… we need to protect and prioritize our covenant relationship." (01:44)

• President Russell M. Nelson (quoted):

  "The joy we feel...has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives. Feeling the Savior’s love and joy is certainly the best Christmas gift we can receive." (02:20)

• Hank Smith:

  “Next time something goes wrong at Christmas, I might say, well, got a new tradition now.” (03:09)

Important Timestamps

• 00:17: John introduces and tells Brother Reed’s Christmas story.
• 01:44: Spiritual comparison between protecting presents and safeguarding covenants.
• 02:20: Quotation from President Nelson on joy and focus.
• 02:35: Discussion of turning trials into blessings/traditions.
• 03:09: Humor about making new traditions when things go wrong.

Tone & Style

• The episode is warm, conversational, and uplifting, with an emphasis on spiritual resilience, personal experiences, and application for listeners.
• Both hosts use humor, empathy, and genuine admiration for the faith demonstrated by Brother Reed's family.

Summary

“Blockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” uses a touching true story to explore how difficult moments—especially during the holidays—can inspire meaningful new traditions and help us refocus on what matters most. Through the lens of one family’s loss and subsequent tradition, Hank Smith and John Bytheway encourage listeners to protect their covenants with the same vigilance, promising that joy comes by focusing on Christ, regardless of external circumstances. This heartfelt episode offers both practical and spiritual insights perfect for the Christmas season.