The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast
Episode: Merry Christmas from Candace and Ruth
Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Candace Cameron Bure
Guest: Ruth Chou Simons
Episode Overview
In this special Christmas episode, Candace Cameron Bure is joined by author, artist, and mother of six, Ruth Chou Simons. Together, they reflect on their personal Christmas traditions, read and discuss the biblical Christmas story, and encourage listeners to center their hearts on the hope and lordship of Christ during the holiday season. The tone is warm, sincere, and faith-filled, with both women offering heartfelt reflections and practical spiritual encouragement for listeners as the year comes to a close.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Christmas Family Traditions
[03:01 - 04:35]
- Candace’s Tradition:
- Family gathers every Christmas Eve for a special dinner (beef Wellington, fine china), attends a church candlelight service, and sometimes opens one gift before Christmas morning.
- Quote (Candace, 03:20): “I love that we’re all together. ... We go to church, we come back and have this beautiful dinner with the family. And I absolutely love it.”
- Ruth’s Tradition:
- The Simons family celebrates by lining their driveway with luminarias (paper bags filled with sand and candles), a Southwestern tradition that lights up the property. They host people and enjoy the beauty together.
- Quote (Ruth, 03:54): “As it gets dark, the whole property is lit up with these little luminarias. And again, yeah, we get to host people on Christmas Eve, and it’s just really lovely.”
2. Reading the Christmas Story
[04:39 - 06:01]
- Scripture Reading:
- Candace reads the nativity story from Matthew 1:18–23, spotlighting the miraculous birth of Jesus and the prophecy of “Emmanuel—God with us.”
- Quote (Candace, 04:50): “The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way ... they will name him Emmanuel, which is translated, God with us.”
3. Reflections on Jesus as Lord
[06:01 - 10:13]
- From Ruth’s Advent Book ‘Emmanuel’:
- Ruth reads an excerpt highlighting Jesus’ title “Christ the Lord” from Luke 2:11 and explores the idea of truly embracing Christ not only as Savior but as Lord.
- Ruth shares a Charles Spurgeon quote:
- Quote (Ruth, 08:13; quoting Spurgeon): “If Christ is not all to you, he is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as a part Savior of men. If he is something, he must be everything, and if he not be everything, he is nothing to you.”
- She discusses the tendency to accept Jesus’ saving grace but resist his rightful authority over our lives.
- Key Point: Submitting to Jesus’ lordship is not an obligation, but a joyful choice acknowledging His wisdom, care, and ultimate goodness.
- Quote (Ruth, 09:32): “What a delight life becomes when we make Christ master over everything, and how miserable life becomes when we cling to a throne that is not rightfully ours.”
4. Encouragement and the Gospel Message
[10:13 - 11:41]
- Candace’s Reflection and Call:
- Candace urges listeners to consider what may be hindering them from recognizing Christ as Lord and encourages renewed commitment.
- She shares a concise summary of the Gospel message, emphasizing Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Quote (Candace, 10:57): “He willingly sacrificed himself on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin, my sin, all of our sin ... He gives you eternal life. I pray that you would know this and it would sit deep in your heart.”
5. Prayer and Closing Blessing
[11:41 - 12:25]
- Ruth’s Closing Prayer (from her book):
- A prayer of confession and surrender, inviting listeners to yield their striving and trust completely in Jesus’ lordship.
- Quote (Ruth, 11:45): “Lord of Lords, we confess the foolishness of trying to be the rulers of our own lives. ... May we delight in being under your care and your will as we respond and declare, Yes, Lord. Yes. Amen.”
- Candace’s Goodbye and Hopes for Listeners:
- Words of gratitude to Ruth and the listeners.
- Encouragement to walk daily with Jesus, be grateful, and look forward to the new year.
- Quote (Candace, 12:34): “My hope is that you will every day walk one step closer to knowing Jesus.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 03:20 | Candace | “We go to church, we come back and have this beautiful dinner with the family. And I absolutely love it.” | | 03:54 | Ruth | “As it gets dark, the whole property is lit up with these little luminarias. ... we get to host people on Christmas Eve, and it’s just really lovely.” | | 04:50 | Candace | “The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way ... they will name him Emmanuel, which is translated, God with us.” | | 08:13 | Ruth/Spurgeon | “If Christ is not all to you, he is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as a part Savior of men. If he is something, he must be everything, and if he not be everything, he is nothing to you.” | | 09:32 | Ruth | “What a delight life becomes when we make Christ master over everything, and how miserable life becomes when we cling to a throne that is not rightfully ours.” | | 10:57 | Candace | “He willingly sacrificed himself on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin, my sin, all of our sin ... He gives you eternal life. I pray that you would know this and it would sit deep in your heart.” | | 11:45 | Ruth | “Lord of Lords, we confess the foolishness of trying to be the rulers of our own lives. ... May we delight in being under your care and your will as we respond and declare, Yes, Lord. Yes. Amen.” | | 12:34 | Candace | “My hope is that you will every day walk one step closer to knowing Jesus.” |
Important Timestamps
- [03:01] – Candace shares Christmas Eve traditions
- [03:54] – Ruth explains the luminaria tradition
- [04:47] – Reading Matthew 1:18–23 (the nativity)
- [06:01] – Ruth reads and reflects from her Advent book ‘Emmanuel’
- [10:13] – Candace’s gospel encouragement to listeners
- [11:41] – Ruth prays a prayer of surrender to Christ’s lordship
- [12:25] – Final blessings and closing thoughts
Summary
This heartwarming Christmas episode centers listeners on faith, tradition, and surrendering to the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus as “Emmanuel”—God with us, Savior, and Lord. Candace and Ruth blend personal stories and Scripture readings with honest reflections, culminating in a prayerful challenge to embrace Christ as King in all of life. Listeners are left encouraged to walk into the new year with hearts aligned to Jesus and hope renewed.