Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas”

In 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith declared, “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 49). Years later, President Russell M. Nelson noted that “it was this very statement of the Prophet that provided the incentive for 15 prophets, seers, and revelators to issue and sign their testimony to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the Lord’s birth. That historic testimony is titled ‘The Living Christ.’ Many members have memorized its truths. Others barely know of its existence. As you seek to learn more about Jesus Christ, I urge you to study ‘The Living Christ’” (“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensignor Liahona, May 2017, 40).

“We Offer Our Testimony.”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas”

• Show the children a copy of “The Living Christ” (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Point to the word Christ in the title, and let the children point to the word too. Also point out the signatures at the bottom of the page, and tell the children that in 2000, the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles wrote their testimony of Jesus Christ, signed their names to it, and shared it with the world.
• Point out that “The Living Christ” was signed by the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles. Read together Doctrine and Covenants 107:23. What makes Apostles different “from other officers in the church”? Choose one of the “Special Witnesses of Christ” videos to share with the children (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Why are we grateful to have special witnesses of Christ in our day?

Friend November 2019 “The Living Christ” The apostles bear testimony of Jesus .Use the hints page to fill in the blanks. The highlighted letters give the final message!

I Can “Offer [my] Testimony” to Celebrate Jesus’s Birth.

Friend December 2021 “Scripture Time Fun”“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” teaches us that Jesus Christ is “the light, the life, and the hope of the world.” We celebrate Christmas to remember Jesus Christ.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas” In “The Living Christ” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave their testimony of Jesus Christ to “commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.” Consider how you will encourage the children to share their testimonies with others.

• Show a picture of Jesus Christ, and invite each child to stand and share something he or she knows about Him. If they need help, suggest truths from “The Living Christ.” Remind the children that when they tell others about Jesus, they are sharing their testimonies.

Friend December 2025 “Come, Follow Me Activities”“The Living Christ” is a testimony from prophets and apostles. Make a testimony Christmas ornament! Cut out a paper circle. Decorate one side for Christmas. On the other side, write what you know and believe about Jesus Christ. Then hang it up to remember your testimony.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas”

• Tell the children how you gained your testimony of Jesus Christ and what you are doing to keep your testimony strong. Help them think of ways they could strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ, and invite them to choose one thing they will do. (Share with one another how you gained your testimony of Jesus Christ. Maybe you could pass around a picture of the Savior and take turns sharing something you know about Him (including truths taught in “The Living Christ”).)
• Write on the board I know that Jesus Christ … and invite the children to share ways they would complete the sentence. Suggest that they look in “The Living Christ” for ideas. What can we do to strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ? How are others blessed when we share our testimonies?
• You could give each child a phrase from “The Living Christ” and ask them to find or draw a picture of that phrase. Then you could help them find the phrase in “The Living Christ.” You might even compile those pictures and phrases into a book.

Friend January 2019 “The Living Christ” The prophets and apostles wrote “The Living Christ” to tell the world about Jesus. Read part of it each month and memorize the words in red. Fill in the blanks with words from the picture to learn more about this first quote. Also, color the card and collect a new one each month.

For additional teaching ideas see Testimony and Resources for Teaching Children “Testimony”

“He went about doing good.”

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

• As you and your children read the second paragraph of “The Living Christ,” talk with them about some of the things Jesus did. You could also look at pictures from His life (see this week’s activity page and the Gospel Art Book). Invite your children to talk about what the Savior is doing in the pictures. How can we serve others as He did? The “Light the World” videos in the Gospel Library could give you ideas.

Heavenly Father Sent His Son as a Gift to Us.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas” Giving and receiving gifts is a traditional part of Christmas for many people. This tradition should help us remember God’s “matchless gift of His divine Son” (“The Living Christ”).

• Ask the children to tell about gifts they have given or received. Read to them the last sentence of “The Living Christ,” and invite them to listen for the gift God has given us. (If needed, help them understand that “matchless” means “better than any other.”) Why is the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the best gift?

“God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025

• What gifts have we received because of Jesus Christ? Perhaps you and your children could look for these gifts in “The Living Christ” or in a song like “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35). Then they could gift-wrap something to represent those gifts. You could suggest that your children open the gifts on Christmas Day to help them remember the Savior and His gifts to us.

• Sing together a song about Jesus Christ, such as “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35). Help the children pick a phrase from the song that they would like to draw (such as “newborn babe” or “walk with men”). As they draw, ask the children to tell you how they feel about what Jesus has done for them. Share your feelings as well.

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 2021 “Bright Idea”

“None Other has had so Profound an Influence.”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas” In “The Living Christ,” the prophets and apostles declared that no one has had greater influence on God’s children than Jesus Christ. Ponder how you will help the children learn about the Savior’s profound influence on all of us.

• Give each child a phrase or sentence from “The Living Christ,” and ask them to draw a picture of that phrase or sentence. As each child shows the class his or her picture, ask the other children to guess what the picture is illustrating and find the corresponding sentence in “The Living Christ.” How are we blessed because of Jesus Christ’s life and mission?
• Help the children find different names or titles of Jesus Christ in “The Living Christ” and underline them, if possible (some examples include Messiah, Firstborn, the first and the last, advocate, and chief corner stone). Talk about what each of these titles teaches us about Him. (Some of these titles are defined in the Guide to the Scriptures or Bible Dictionary.)

Friend February 2019 Names of Christ and Jesus is the creator of the earth.

Jesus Christ Invites Me to Follow His Example.

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Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas” Part of the Savior’s “profound … influence” on the world has been His perfect example. How will you inspire the children to follow Him?

• From the second paragraph of “The Living Christ,” read to the children some of the things Jesus did. Show pictures from His life (see this week’s activity page), and invite the children to talk about what the Savior is doing in the pictures. Help them think of ways they can follow His example.
• Choose a “Light the World” video (ComeuntoChrist.org) to show the children, or tell about a time when you were blessed by someone’s Christlike service. Invite a child to act out a simple act of service, and ask the other children to guess what he or she is doing. Let each child have a turn. Help the children think of something they can do to serve someone in their family.

Friend March 2019 Following Jesus example of helping others. Make a map of where you walk and ways you can help.

For additional teaching ideas see Following Jesus’s Example

“He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas” Christmas is such a joyful season because of the hope that Jesus Christ brought to the world through His teachings, example, and atoning sacrifice.

• Invite each child to draw a Christmas tree, or draw one on the board. Invite the children to decorate the tree with words or phrases from “The Living Christ” that describe a gift the Savior has given us (such as “light,” “life,” and “hope”). Let them talk about why they chose those words or phrases.
• Help the children find Christmas hymns that tell of the light, life, and hope that the Savior’s birth brought to the world—for example, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (Hymns, nos. 208–9). Sing the hymns together, and let the children share how Jesus has brought light, life, and hope into their lives.
• Ask some of the children to read about the shepherds in Luke 2:8–20. Ask others to read about Simeon in Luke 2:25–33. Invite them to share with each other how the shepherds and Simeon felt about finding out that Jesus was born. Why did they feel this way? Why does His birth bring us “great joy”?

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!

Additional Resources

• Resources for Teaching Children “Jesus Christ”
• Teaching Children the Gospel “Jesus Christ”
• Teaching Children the Gospel Christmas and Birth of Jesus
• Resources for Teaching Children “Christmas”
• Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “He Sent His Son” Lesson Ideas and Video

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Christmas”

To help your family understand the truths taught about the Savior in “The Living Christ,” you could select some key phrases and work together to find or draw pictures that illustrate those phrases. You could then compile those pictures and phrases into a book.

You may want to record your testimonies of Christ to commemorate the Savior’s birth.

What gifts have we received because of Jesus Christ? Perhaps family members could find answers in “The Living Christ” and then gift wrap items that represent those gifts from the Savior. Your family could open the presents on Christmas day or throughout the week and read scriptures related to each one. Here are some possible scriptures, though your family may find many others: Luke 2:10–14; 1 Peter 2:21; Mosiah 3:8; Alma 11:42–43; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–12. You could also sing a song about the Savior, such as “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35), to find other gifts that come from Him.

Friend April 2019 “The Living Christ” He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind.

Friend May 2019 Jesus’s life didn’t begin when he was born nor end when he died. Look up the scriptures about His life before birth, his life on the earth, and his life after death and then fill in the crossword puzzle.

Friend June 2019  Jesus was resurrected and lives. Discuss the pictures of him visiting people after his death.

Friend July 2019  Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery saw a vision of Jesus Christ in the Kirtland Temple. Jesus said, “I am he who liveth.”

Friend August 2019 The Prophet Joseph Smith’s testimony of the resurrected Jesus.

Friend September 2019 Write the names of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the foundation stones.The foundation of a building keeps it strong. The most important foundation stone is called the cornerstone. The prophets and apostles are like the foundation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jesus Christ is like the most important stone, the cornerstone.

Friend October 2019 Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Friend November 2019 “The Living Christ” The apostles bear testimony of Jesus .Use the hints page to fill in the blanks. The highlighted letters give the final message!

Liahona December 2021 “Christmas, Gathering Israel, and Family History”

A Gift for the Savior

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

Christ has set an example for all of us to follow. As we celebrate His birth this Christmas, let’s give Him the gift of becoming like Him. Christ said, “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27). Can you give the Savior a gift this Christmas by following His example?

1. Read the first two paragraphs of “The Living Christ” together.
2. Discuss things the Savior did to bless others.
   1. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). How can we go about doing good?
   2. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. How can we bring good will to others?
   3. He entreated all to follow His example? How can we follow Christ’s example?
3. Write or draw your gift idea for the Savior.
4. Post it somewhere as a reminder of your goal this year.

Discussion: What can you do to bless the lives of others like the Savior did? How will setting an example of following Christ bring others to the Savior?