Friend December 2023 “The First Christmas” Make your own Nativity scene! Cut out each picture. Then glue or tape the pictures inside a small box or on a piece of cardboard.
Friend December 1988 “Sharing Time: Two Witnesses of Jesus Birth” Read the skit as the silhouettes are pressed against a backlit piece of fabric or sheet. (Book of Mormon & Bible tell of Jesus’ birth.)
Friend December 2019 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy and her friend Jazzmine want their families to do a nativity pageant together. Jazzmine’s grandparents want to play Simeon and Anna who recognized Jesus at the temple the same way we can recognize him in our lives, through the Holy Ghost.
Friend December 2017 “Skyler’s Nativity” Skyler helps with the nativity play. Also, count how many stars are in the sky.
Friend December 2020 “Christmas Play” After Mark and his siblings hear the story of Jesus’s birth, they dress up and act it out. (Circle the things Mark and Sarah could use for their play!)
Friend December 2017 “Matt and Mandy” As Matt and Mandy’s family read about no room at the inn, Matt and Mandy learn that Jesus still waits for people to let him in.
Friend December 2017 “No Room In the Inn” Eliza and her family understand a little about what Mary and Joseph went through in Bethlehem when they can’t find a place to spend the night.
Friend December 1985 “The Answer Tree” A grandma put answers to her grandchild’s questions about Jesus onto tree ornaments. (activity idea)
Star
Friend December 1987 “Christmas Stars” Jody wants to be like the Christmas star and lead people to Jesus by being a good example.
Friend December 2022 “The Nativity Star” Cayden’s family has a tradition of acting out the story of Jesus’s birth. Cayden wants to be the star that led the wisemen to Bethlehem because he wants to help people find Jesus like the star did.
Gifts
Friend December 2021 “The First Christmas Gift” An 11 year old’s father told her about the very first Christmas gift. It was when Heavenly Father gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. Heavenly Father knew that His Son would suffer on earth, but He still gave Jesus to the world. And Jesus willingly gave Himself so that we could have eternal life.
Friend December 2019 “The Christmas Coins” Three people from the neighborhood were singing songs and collecting money to help sick children at the hospital. Janelle’s mother didn’t have any money, so Janelle gave all her coins to the singers. Afterwards she realized she had given away the money she was saving to buy her mom a gift. Janelle’s mom said she gave her the best gift by doing what Jesus would do, helping someone who needed help.
Friend December 2016 “You can’t Wrap a Horse” A family talks about gifts–gifts that can’t be wrapped like service and the gift of our Savior from Heavenly Father.
Jesus is Reason for Season
Friend December 2018 “Waiting for Christmas” Jacob was wiggly because he was excited for Christmas. Then, on Christmas Eve, his family had a Christmas program about Jesus, and he felt peaceful and remembered what Christmas was all about.
[unitegallery 2018Dec]
Friend December 2015 “Finding Jesus at Christmas” Luke learns that drawing closer to Jesus is true happiness. Activity Idea also.
Jesus is the Light of the World
Friend December 2020 “Matt and Mandy” After seeing the lights at temple square, they almost fall into a hole in the dark. The talk about how lights keep us safe and how Jesus is the light of the world.
Friend December 2018 “Christmas by Candlelight” Ellie and her siblings are not happy when the power goes off on Christmas, but it helps them remember the reason Christmas is important when they use that time to read the story of Jesus’ birth together. (Friend December 2018 “Family Night Fun” Make a cup lantern by making holes all around it and then putting a glow stick or battery candle inside. Use for example of Jesus being a light to the world.)
Gratitude for Jesus
Friend December 2020 “A Christmas Song for Grandpa” Jennifer’s grandfather passed away on the day she is supposed to sing a solo at the Christmas community program. She is heartbroken but remembers that because of Jesus she will see her grandfather again. She decides to sing about Jesus at the program so she can share the light and hope Jesus gives.
Christmas Priorities
Friend December 2015 ” Making Room for Christmas” A family decides which Christmas activities are most important.
Christmas Nativity
Friend December 2019 “Searching for Baby Jesus” Lizzy and her brother are upset when their baby Jesus from their Nativity set is lost. Their mom tells them that the Nativity set is just a model. The real Jesus lives and is always with them and loves them.
Acting Out the Nativity
Friend December 2022 “The Nativity Star” Cayden’s family has a tradition of acting out the story of Jesus’s birth. Cayden wants to be the star that led the wisemen to Bethlehem because he wants to help people find Jesus like the star did.
Christmas Gift for Jesus
Friend December 2021 “A Gift for Jesus” Amy’s family write down kind things they do in during December and then put them in a gift box for Jesus. They open the box and read them on Christmas day.
Friend December 2023 “The White Stocking” Chakell’s favorite family tradition was the white stocking. Each family member would write things they promised to do for Jesus that year. They then put them in the stocking and read them the following year. Chakell previous year’s promise was to help more at home, and she felt she did a pretty good job of it. Chakell watched her older brother write something and put it in the stocking. She wasn’t too happy with him because he had constantly teased her the previous year. She didn’t think he would ever do anything to be more like Jesus. Later that night, she was curious about what he wrote, so she read his note. It said he wanted to be kinder to Chakell that year. Her Mom had always said that having faith in Jesus Christ could help anyone change and become more like Him. Maybe she was right. Chakell gave her brother a big hug the following morning and he hugged her back.
Friend December 1986 “A Christmas Gift For Jesus” A boy wants to get Jesus a gift, but he uses all his money to help others and learns that is the best gift.
Friend December 2020 “I Can Give a Little Too” Trent heard about some families that needed help for Christmas. Trent wanted to help them so he decorated a box, and he and his family members and friends put coins in the box. Soon the box was full and they were able to help four families.
Friend December 2020 “A Christmas Surprise” When their water heater burst and flooded their house ruining their Christmas presents, Christmas seemed to be lost for Anna’s family because they didn’t have money to replace the gifts. Anna prayed for help and got a wonderful idea to make Christmas coupon books for everyone.
Friend December 2017 “The Christmas List Surprise” Samantha makes a fancy Christmas list, but she learns to think of others when she sees her brother’s list.
Friend December 2017 “A Sister’s Gift” Emilie’s Family has no money for Christmas gifts. Emilie knows that that will be hard on her little sister, so she wraps up and gives her precious doll to her sister, and her heart is filled with warmth and love that Christmas .
Friend December 1980 -“Fish for Three” – A boy buys a Christmas feast for his family instead of something for himself.
Friend December 1980 – “Christmas Horse” – Girl spends her savings on Christmas for her family. She learns to think of others.
Friend December 1985 – “A Sharing Christmas” Rebus Story – Sue learns Christmas is much better when it is shared.
Friend December 1986 “Mommy’s Christmas” Justin helps his busy mom get ready for Christmas as a surprise.
Friend December 2015 A family who has very little gives to another family who has even less.
Family at Christmas
Friend Dec 2014 “Matt and Mandy” All the Coopers are sick on the morning of Christmas except Matt. Christmas is no fun without his family.
Company for Christmas
Friend December 2020 “A Neighbor Nativity” Every year at Christmastime, Rose and her family acted out the Nativity. They always invited people to come over and join them. This time they had invited their neighbors and the missionaries! She loved having everyone there celebrating Jesus.
Friend December 2017 “The Christmas Eve Guest” Shannon thinks it will be uncomfortable having a stranger join them for Christmas Eve, but as she gets to know the guest, she decides maybe it’s time to add a new tradition.
Friend December 1986 “Cousin Everene” Stephen learns how to enjoy having an elderly relative visit for Christmas.
Christmas Service
Friend December 2023 “Kindness for Christmas” Akari helped her dad at a service project to feed peope who didn’t have food for Christmas. There were still people in line when they ran out of food. Akari said they could have her sack lunch. Then all the other helpers gave away there sack lunches as well. She felt warm inside because she shared the Savior’s love.
Friend December 2021 “Special Christmas Cards” Hyrum’s family make Christmas cards for people. It helps them know and remember what Christmas is all about. (Also, help Hyrum find the Nativity pieces.)
Friend December 2021 “Warm, Fuzzy Service” Alex made scarfs for his friends for Christmas. When he was done, he had lots of fabric left over. He remembered a cold looking, homeless man he had seen. He and his family decided to make scarfs for people who need them.
Friend December 2021 “The Christmas Cake” Kaiya was worried about his friend that was quarantined for two weeks. He asked his mama if they could check on him. The family was fine, but they hadn’t been able to get the traditional Japanese Christmas cake. Kaiya asked his mom if they could give them their cake and some pizza.
Friend December 2018 “Matt and Mandy” Matt sacrifices to make and give cookies to others, but he realizes that it was much better than what he had wanted to do.
Friend December 2018 “Show and Tell” Service that children did at Christmas including going to the hospital and singing Christmas carols, shoveling neighbor’s sidewalk, playing Christmas songs on the piano at church, and giving out candy canes on a university campus during the stressful finals week at Christmas.
Friend December 2018 “A Green-Bean Christmas” Peter was excited to play with his new remote car at Christmas, so he wasn’t too happy when he and his family went to the shelter to help serve dinner. His grumpy attitude changed when a boy his age came through the line. He remembered what Christmas was all about, and that they were celebrating Jesus’s birth by doing something Jesus would do—helping others.
Friend December 2017 “Gabriel’s Cello” Gabriel played Christmas songs on his cello at a shopping center for tips to give to the food pantry to feed the homeless. (Includes photos)
Friend December 2016 “A Different Christmas” Christmas doesn’t feel right since Diego’s parents got divorced, but Diego brings joy back into Christmas by doing service.
Friend December 2018 “The Secret Santa” After Tasha’s grandma and father died, Christmas was difficult and sad. But then a Secret Santa started dropping off gifts. She wanted to thank them and pass on the kindness, so she started doing kind things for others. She learned that helping others made her feel happy.
Friend December 2020 “Christmas Service” Every year Danido’s ward makes gifts to give to people who don’t have very much. Danido feels that the activity has brought him closer to God and helped him feel God’s love for His children on earth.
Service Helps Us Forget Our Own Problems
Friend December 2022 “Cookies, Hugs, and Love” Because of a hurricane and Covid, Eva’s family Christmas traditions of celebrating with family, friends, and neighbors was not possible. Eva was sad. Their family decided to buy food for people who lost their homes in the hurricane and Eva wanted to make cookies for the children in the shelter. Serving others helped her feel better.
Friend December 2018 “Carl’s Christmas Gift” Carl does everyone’s outside chores so the family can enjoy Christmas day together.
Friend December 2019 “The Red Paper Bird” Eve was so sad that she was sick and couldn’t go to the school Christmas party. She felt loved though when her teacher sent home the craft they did and her brother and sister helped show her how to do it.
Friend December 2016 “A Tree for Travis” Jacqueline feels sad for her friend who moved to a small trailer and doesn’t even have room for a Christmas tree. She thinks of an idea to give him a decorated branch, but it isn’t as nice as a tree. Her friend loves it, and Jacqueline realizes that gifts of love are what matters.
Christmas Giving
Friend December 2016 “Matt and Mandy” Matt and Mandy learn there are lots of gifts we can give at Christmas that don’t cost money, like service.
Friend December 2016 “The Getting Tree” Tyler thought the tree at church was the “Getting Tree.” When he finds out that it’s the giving tree, he earns money to buy the toy and ends up “getting” a wonderful feeling.
Friend Dec 2014 “The Christmas Pony” Includes an activity idea and a coloring page A young Tommy Monson was disappointed when he didn’t win the pony give-away at the store. But when he gave all the money he had to the poor in the bell ringing kettle, he felt like I received a far greater gift, even ‘the smile of God’s approval.’”
Share Your Testimony of Jesus
Friend November 2019 “Jesus is Real” Everyone at Ismay’s table at school were excitedly talking about Christmas and their favorite traditions such as going to a church service. Suddenly Charlotte spoke up and said, “Jesus isn’t even real.” Ismay was sad to hear this and she quietly bore her testimony to Charlotte that Jesus was real, and that she felt it in her heart. She was glad she had spoken up and planted a seed about Jesus.
[unitegallery 2019Nove]
Help Others Learn About Jesus
Friend December 2022 “Chieko Learns about Jesus” Chieko’s family were Buddhists and she had never heard of Jesus, but she was invited to be in a nativity play. Years later she met missionaries who asked if she would like to learn more about Jesus. She accepted and was later baptized. When she was 60 she served in the Relief Society General Presidency and travelled the world and shared the Savior’s love.
Christmas Spirit
Friend December 1988 “The Sand Tree” Christmas doesn’t feel the same without snow, but Lynn and Jim discover the Christmas spirit is even in warm California.
Christmas Tree
Friend December 2020 “The Perfect Tree” Joshua kept looking for the perfect tree even though his family didn’t have very much money. Finally he found it. It was bent over and scrabbly, but after decorating it, it was beautiful. “Our tree is just like Jesus,” Joshua said. “Jesus was born in a poor, dirty manger. Our tree was poor and sad in the marketplace. But now the tree is beautiful and grand, just like how Jesus is our glorious King.”
Sentimental Friend December 2016 “Joel’s Family Christmas Tree” Each ornament is sentimental
Friend December 2022 “The Purple Teddy Bear” Liam wasn’t happy when he didn’t get what he wanted for Christmas. His older sister explained that the family didn’t have much money. She also explained that the stuffed animals they each got showed how much their mother loved them because their mother had sat at a table for hours sewing a toy for each of them. Liam ran and gave his mother a big hug and told her thank you.
Christmas Traditions
Treats to Neighbors
Friend December 2023 “French Toast for Everyone” Melissa and Rebeca’s family have a tradition of making French toast for all their neighbors at Christmas. Melissa and Rebecca didn’t want to take one to Miss Daisy because they heard she doesn’t like children, but they found Miss Daisy was friendly and liked children. Their French toast tradition helped them make a new friend.
Friend December 2018 “Prophecies of Jesus Christ” Match the prophecies with the picture. Also includes a coloring page.
Friend December 2018 “A Special Night” Action rhyme about the story of Jesus’s birth.
[unitegallery December2018]
Wisemen Follow the Star
Friend January 2023 “Journey to Egypt” After the Wise Men saw Jesus, an angel came to Joseph in a dream. The angel said that Jesus was in danger. He said they should go to Egypt, where they would be safe (see Matthew 2:13–14). Follow the maze to help Mary, Joseph, and Jesus find their way to Egypt.
Friend December 2019 “Light of the World” Color the stars below to help the Wise Men find Jesus (or follow the star path).
Friend December 2020 “Light the World” Jesus brought light and love to the whole world. Here are some activities to help you feel and share His light. Color the numbered areas after you do each activity.
Friend December 2019 “The Living Christ” Like light shining through a window, the Savior brings light and hope to a world that sometimes seems dark. Color this stained-glass window, then visit ComeUntoChrist.org/Christmas to learn how you can share Christ’s light!
Friend December 2017 “Christmas Workshop” Make nativity figures such as this clothespin shepherd to tell the story of Jesus birth, or use it as an ornament for the tree.
Friend December 1986. Lace up ornaments. Print onto card stock. Punch holes in indicated spots. Lace up and tie ends together.
Christmas Riddles – Each riddle gives clues about a person or place related to the story of Jesus’ birth. (Friend December 1984)
The inn was full in this small town, So in a manger they laid Him down. They’d come to this City of David to pay Their taxes, Herod’s law to obey. What city was this? ____________________
In Swaddling clothes, asleep, He lay On that first, wondrous Christmas day. His mother, Mary, sat nearby, Singing Him a lullaby. Who was He? ___________________________
While they watched o’er their flocks one night, An angel came in heavenly light And gave them “tidings of great joy”— They left in haste to see the Boy. Who were they? ________________________
They traveled from the east afar, Following a bright, bright star; Many precious gifts they brought To give the newborn King they sought. Who were they? ________________________
Friend December 1981 Turn advent calendar into a game. See game pieces in “advent calendars”
Friend December 1981Make a Manger: Think of ways you can be helpful to those around you. Then during the month of December, each time you do something without being asked lay a piece of straw in the manger. If you can help someone without being discovered, add two pieces of straw. Soon the manger will be ready for Christmas—and so will your heart!
Friend December 1986 Find the words to fill the blanks by reading Luke 2:1–14. Then find the same words in the letter square by reading forward, backward, up, down, and diagonally. The unused letters, reading left to right, form a message that is important to remember.
Friend December 1987 To help you remember the story of Jesus’ early life, answer the questions and/or follow the instructions for each day in December, using the Bible references.
Friend December 2015 Primary children collected food for a local food bank for the holidays. For each item donated, the children put a picture on the wall in the Primary room to build a Nativity scene.
Friend December 2015 Activity- Hide baby Jesus Statue and tell children they are warm when they get close. Explain that the more we look for Jesus in our lives and do the things to get nearer to Him, the warmer we feel inside and the happier we are.”
For the Strength of Youth December 2023 “Christmas Nativity Countdown”For the last 10 days leading up to Christmas, cut out one piece each day. Learn more about the first Christmas by reading the information and scriptures on the back. By Christmas Day, you’ll have the full set. You could also think about sharing the nativity with a friend, giving it to them piece by piece or all together.
Friend December 2023 “Christmas Countdown” Mathis and his family have 3 different christmas countdown calendars. One is a German tradition of lighting a candle each week in an advent wreath. Another is a wooden house with 24 doors with little prizes in each door. The last one was a hanger with 24 long ribbons hanging on it, each with a scripture about Jesus tied to it. Mathis’s mother and father explained that Advent is the time before Christmas, but it also means the coming of someone or something important. Whose coming do we celebrate on Christmas? Jesus
Each Sunday in December, read these scriptures about Jesus Christ’s birth. Then color in the candle!
Friend December 2019 “Ten Days of Christmas” Do this countdown activity to help your family stay focused on Jesus this Christmas season. Starting on December 15, do one of these activities together each day and color a star.
Friend December 2018 “Have a Song-a-Day Christmas” Starting 12 days before Christmas, sing along each day with one of these Christmas songs on music.lds.org. Color the music notes when you hear each phrase!
Friend December 2017 “Light the World” Each day, read something that Jesus taught, and then think about how you can follow His teaching. Then color in the star! Friend December 2018 Ideas for using and doing “Light the World.”
Friend December 2016 “Watching For Jesus” Starting on December 1st, read the scriptures for each night. Then cut, fold, and tape the strip of paper down. On Christmas Eve you’ll see the sign that people everywhere saw on the night Jesus was born!
Friend December 1983 (1of 2)Friend December 1983 (2of 2)
Friend December 1984
Friend December 1984Friend December 1984
Friend December 1984
Friend December 1985
Friend December 1985 – For each day in December, read one of the following scriptures, in the order given , and then find the matching picture to put on a calendar: Isaiah 7:14, 2 Nephi 25:19, Helaman 14:6, Micah 5:2, Moses 6:57, Luke 1:13,17, Luke 1:26-27 & 30-32, Matthew 1:20-21, Luke 2:1, Luke 2:3, Luke 2:4-5, Luke 2:6, Luke 2:7, John1:1,3,14, Luke 2:8, Luke 2:9-11, Luke 2:16, Matthew 2:1-2, Matthew 2:3, Matthew 2:4, Matthew 2:7-8, Matthew 2:9, Matthew 2:11, D&C 20:1, Isaiah 9:6
Friend December 1985Friend December 1985
Instructions and printouts for below calendar can be found here.
This week I taught the children my favorite Christmas song from the Children’s Songbook, “The Shepherd’s Carol”. I use the Children’s Songbook music Cd’s for accompaniment when teaching this song because the introduction is beautiful (it’s bells or chimes). They also use different instruments for each part during the round, which makes it easier to hear the different parts.
Items Needed:Children’s Songbook music Cd’s, a Cd player, fabric items to make headdresses for Mary and Joseph (fabric, towels, scarves, etc.), a baby doll wrapped tightly in a blanket, a crown, a hymn book with the word praises on the cover, a gift package with hearts on the outside of it, a copy of the words for each child in Senior Primary, and a picture of Jesus in Gethsemane with the words “Our Savior” attached to it .
Senior Primary – I gave Senior Primary the words to the song to start them off, because I knew that once they sang the song a couple of times they would love it and be excited to learn it. We sang it through once without doing the rounds. Then I divided the children into four groups. I asked the pianist to lead one group, and I had a couple of other people lead the other parts (they were leaders or teachers who knew how to lead music). I gave them each a copy of the song so they would have the words and music.
We started the CD and sang the song from the beginning (singing through once and then singing the parts). It was beautiful. The kids loved it too. (I have had kids clap after they sing this song because it sounds so beautiful, and they are proud of their singing.) I let the children choose if they wanted to do it again. They wanted to do it again, and again, and again. We actually ran out of time before I could help them memorize it.
Junior and Senior Primary – (I started junior Primary as this point.) (Use the piano for this part.) I chose two children to dress up as Mary and Joseph, and I had Mary sit on a chair and hold the baby. Joseph stood behind her. I gave Joseph the crown to hold. I told Junior Primary the words of the first two lines, and then we sang that much. Then I added another child holding the picture and another holding the hymn book. I had those children stand to the right of Mary and Joseph. I told the children the chorus and we sang that much, and then we sang the whole first verse including chorus. Then I added another child who was holding the gift box. I had that child stand to the left of Mary and Joseph. We then learned the next two lines.
Do the following actions as the children sing the song to help them remember the words.
Mary, Mary hush see the child. (Point to Mary, then put one finger on your lips, then point to your eyes, and then point to the baby.)
Joseph, Joseph look see how mild. (Point to Joseph, then to your eyes, and then to the baby.)
This is Jesus; (Have Mary hold up the baby)
This is our King. (Have Joseph hold the crown over the baby’s head)
This is our Savior; (Have a child hold up the picture of Jesus in Gethsemane with the words “Our Savior” attached to it.)
His praises we sing. (Have the child that is holding the hymn book, hold it up and open it.)
All God’s children come to adore. (Have the child that is holding the hymn book and the child that is holding the picture, come close to Mary and Joseph and look at the baby and smile.)
Bringing gifts of love evermore. (Have the child who is holding the gift hold it out to the baby, or they can hold it up high for everyone to see.)
Repeat the chorus.
Have the children sing the song several times as the children that are holding props do their parts. Touch their heads when it is their turn to do their part. After Junior Primary learns the song, have all the people holding props sit down. Have the children sing the song again to see if they can still remember the words. If they can sing it, and you have time, you can try to do the rounds with them. (Or if you want to make sure and have time to do the rounds, give the words to the readers in Junior primary at the beginning, and have the non-readers acting out (or watching) the parts. When doing the rounds have the non-readers be part one. This makes things less confusing for them. You will need to direct the acting and singing of the non-readers.)
Note: The Children’s Songbook music Cd’s can be found in the meetinghouse library, or you can copy the song from the church website onto a Cd.
This week for music time I covered a box with snowflake wrapping paper. Inside the box I had about eight cups of packing foam nuggets/peanuts. On forty-five of the nuggets I had written page numbers of songs the children knew. I also had put a small table fan, face down, in the box. The base of the fan was sticking out the back of the box so I could turn it on and off. When the fan was on high, it would make the peanuts fly around in the air like a snow storm. I had made a window so the children could see the “snow” flying around. I had covered the window opening with a cut open large plastic ziplock bag. I cut a hole in the side of the box so the children could stick their hands into the box and try and catch a “snowflake”.
We played Name That Tune with the songs. First I had the children find a song. I started the fan and had each child take a turn catching a snowflake until a song number was found. Then after that, each blank snowflake they caught represented a note. When they found another song, that’s where we stopped. The pianist then played the amount of notes they earned (up to five), and the children guessed what song it was. If they could tell me some words in the song, I let them have it. The person who guessed what song it was got to decide if they wanted to sing that song or not. If the children couldn’t guess what song it was I got to decide if I wanted them to sing the song.
I wanted each child to have a turn catching the snowflakes, but after that I had one child catch snowflakes until that child found a song. Then I chose another child to be the helper. It went faster that way, and I could choose children that were being reverent to be the helpers.
Note: The bigger packing nuggets I had to cut in half to get them to fly around, but you need to make sure you have a good safety cover on your fan so they don’t get through the grill.
I got this wonderful idea from Cindee Alexander on Sugardoodle. Thank you Cindee.
