The Old Testament teaches me about Jesus.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Christmas” Help the children focus on the Savior Jesus Christ as the reason we celebrate Christmas. You can do this using scriptures from the Old Testament that testify of Him.

• Display a picture of the nativity (such as Gospel Art Book, no. 30, or one of the pictures in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Read Isaiah 9:6, giving each child a turn to point to the baby Jesus when they hear the phrase “a child is born.” Share your testimony that prophets in the Old Testament knew that Jesus would be born.

• Invite each child to say his or her name, and point out that in addition to our names, we can be called other things, like sister or brother or friend. Invite the children to think of other examples. Read Isaiah 9:6 to the children, emphasizing the names that refer to Jesus Christ: “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Help the children understand what these names tell us about Jesus.

New Era December 2009 “Unto Us a Child Is Born” Explanation for each of the names for Jesus in Isaiah 9:6

• Give each child a paper star, and invite the children to hold their stars up when you read the following phrase from Numbers 24:17: “there shall come a Star out of Jacob.” Invite the children to share how Jesus is like a bright star that shines to all the world. Sing together a song about the star that appeared when Jesus was born, such as “Stars Were Gleaming” (Children’s Songbook, 37) or “The First Noel” (Hymns, no. 213). (Jesus is our source of light to guide us in the paths we should follow.)

Little LDS Ideas

The Old Testament teaches me about Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Christmas The Old Testament is more than just a collection of interesting stories and writings; its purpose, like all scripture, is to testify of Jesus Christ. Help the children learn how to find Him in the Old Testament.

• Invite the children to make a list of all the names and titles of Jesus Christ they can find in Moses 7:53; Psalm 23:1; Job 19:25; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 12:2; Amos 4:13; and Zechariah 14:16. Let them work in pairs if they would like. Invite them to share their lists with each other. What do we learn about the Savior from each of these names and titles?

Answers: Savior, Messiah, Jehovah, Shepherd, Mediator, Creator, Prince of Peace

Friend December 2022 “The Many Names of Jesus”

• Show the children a few Christmas decorations (or pictures of some), such as a star, lights, or a gift. Ask the children how each of these things might remind us of the Savior. Explain that the scriptures often use symbols to teach us about Jesus Christ. Invite the children to look in one or more of the following verses for something that could symbolize Jesus Christ: Genesis 22:8; Exodus 17:6; Psalms 18:2; 27:1 (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families for additional examples). How is Jesus like a lamb, water, rock, a fortress, or light?

Friend December 2022 “The Symbols of Christmas”

Friend December 2012 “Jesus Christ Is the Son of God”

Liahona December 2022 “How Do These Symbols Testify of Jesus Christ?”

For the Strength of Youth August 2021 “The Light of Christ”

Liahona December 2022 “Acting on Faith in Jesus Christ” Come, Follow Me Family Fun: Reminders of Christ

The Old Testament includes symbols of the Savior and His Atonement that help us learn about Him.

1. Have each person choose one of the following symbols of Christ used in the Old Testament:
   • Lamb (Exodus 12:5; 1 Peter 1:18–20).
   • Manna (Exodus 16:4, 12–21, 31; John 6:30–40).
   • Water (Exodus 17:1–6; Jeremiah 2:13; John 4:7–14).
   • Brass serpent (Numbers 21:4–9; John 3:14–15).
   • Rock (1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:2–3; Isaiah 28:16).
   • Branch (Isaiah 11:1–2; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15).
   • Light (Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 60:19; John 8:12).
2. Using paper or other supplies, create an ornament shaped like the chosen symbol and display it in a special place to remember the Savior.
3. Study the scripture references listed with each symbol above.

Discussion: What does each symbol teach about the Savior? What does Jesus Christ mean in your life?

• At the end of studying the Old Testament this year, invite the children to share their favorite stories or scriptures from the Old Testament. What do these stories or scriptures teach us about Jesus Christ? Why are we grateful to have the Old Testament?

Jesus Christ is my Savior.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Christmas Christmas is a time to celebrate not only Jesus’s birth but also His life and mission as Savior of the world. How can you help the children feel joy and gratitude for Jesus Christ’s Atonement?

• Ask the children to think of something that they are looking forward to. Explain that faithful people in Old Testament times looked forward to Jesus Christ’s birth. Read Isaiah 25:9 to the children, and have them repeat the phrase “We have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Share with them why you are glad and rejoice that Christ was born. Invite the children to share their feelings about the Savior.

Friend December 2022 “Jesus Said”

• Sing together a song about Jesus’s birth, such as “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, 42–43) or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (Hymns, no. 209). Help the children discover phrases in these songs that teach us about our Savior and the blessings we have because of Him.

Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Christmas As we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth, we can also rejoice in His life and atoning sacrifice. How might you use scriptures from the Old Testament to help the children build their faith in their Savior and Redeemer?

• Read together Isaiah 7:14; then invite the children to share what they know about Christ’s birth. Or show the video “The Nativity” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and invite each child to choose a person from the video and share how that person may have felt. Share your testimony about the Savior, and invite the children to do the same.

• To help the children better understand Jesus Christ’s role as our Savior, invite them to read Isaiah 25:8–9; 53:3–5; and Hosea 13:14. What do these scriptures teach us about how the Lord saves us? How can we “rejoice in his salvation”? (Isaiah 25:9).
• Sing a song together about Jesus Christ’s love for us, such as “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, 42–43) or “I Stand All Amazed” (Hymns, no. 193). Invite the children to share phrases that help them feel the Savior’s love.

“The Christ Child: A Nativity Story”

Latter Day Kids “The Birth of Jesus Christ (The Nativity Story)” Lesson ideas