Tag Archives: Christmas

Dec 5 2020

Christmas: Lesson Ideas

Posted on by

Table of Contents

Focus on Jesus’s Birth

As a family, think of ways to stay focused on Jesus this Christmas.

Friend December 2018 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ways to help teach little ones the true meaning of  Christmas—the celebration of Jesus’s birth.

Friend December 2021 “Bright Idea”

Christmas Peace and Light

For the Strength of Youth December 2023 “6 Ways to Feel the Peace of Christ’s Light This Christmas“ Christmastime can get a little busy and stressful. Sometimes all that stress makes it hard to remember why we really celebrate Christmas. Put the two below pictures together, back to back. Shine a light behind the page to reveal six ways to focus on the Savior’s light and find more peace this Christmas.

Christmas Service Ideas

Friend December 2017 “Show and Tell” For the #LightTheWorld project, each member of our family wrote down on a light bulb what we did each day. (Click on Link for more ideas.)

Friend December 2021 “Show and Tell” Christmas cards for homeless, Giving tree (Click on link for photos)

We made 50 Christmas cards for people without homes who were staying in a temporary shelter in our town. We wanted to make sure they knew they were loved at Christmas. Jude and Oliver G., ages 4 and 8, California, USA

We set up a “giving tree” outside our house. We invited neighbors to do a good deed and then hang an ornament on the tree. Neighbors were happy to see so many good deeds happening. We are planning to make this a Christmas tradition! Kip, Annabelle, Hayes, and Dawson F., ages 2, 8, 4, and 6, Florida, USA

Friend December 2022 “For Older Kids” We used some of our Christmas gift money to help people in need. (Ridge and Blaike G., ages 9 and 13, Arizona, USA)

Gratitude for Gifts

Friend December 2017 “Family Night Fun” List the best gifts you’ve been given from friends and family and from Heavenly Father.

Gifts for Jesus

Friend December 2020 “Gifts of Love for Jesus” Heavenly Father gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus gave His life for us so we can live with Him again. You may want to give a gift to Jesus. What gifts can you give Him?

We can give a gift to Jesus by serving others. Write on each person the name of someone you can serve.

Friend December 2017 “Family Night Fun” Make these cute gift boxes, and write a gift you want to give Jesus, like being kind, and put it in your gift box to remember!

Friend December 2017 “Dear Friends” One reason we give Christmas presents is to remember the gift of Heavenly Father and His Son. They love us so much. And we can show how much we love Them by being kind to others. You are a gift to the world too. Your life is a blessing to those around you.

Friend December 2015
Friend December 2015 Gifts of love

Help Others Come Unto Jesus

Friend December 2022 “Bright Idea”

Family Christmas

Ensign December 2017 Sample some foreign traditions. Wherever your ancestors come from, they probably had different Christmas traditions than you do now. Discover some traditional foods, games, or other activities from your ancestors’ homelands and try them out with your family.

Decorate your Christmas tree to reflect your family tree. Create ornaments that represent the ancestors. Place names and pictures (if available) of these ancestors among the tree’s decorations. (See link for more ideas.)

Light the World

Christmas Service

Friend December 2023 “Lighting the World Together” Dallin H. Oaks “As followers of Jesus Christ, we should be the friendliest of all people. We should serve those around us and those not of our faith. We should also notice the good done by others. Jesus Christ’s light guides all of us to help those in need.”

Symbols of Christmas

Clipart Library

Friend December 2022 “The Symbols of Christmas”

  • 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 2009

Friend December 1985 “The Answer Tree” A grandma put answers to her grandchild’s questions about Jesus onto tree ornaments. (activity idea)

image
image
image
image
image
image

Christmas Lights

For the Strength of Youth December 2022 “Christmas Light” Our Christmas celebrations help remind us that Jesus Christ is our true Light.

Star

  • 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

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.

img_5762
img_5773
img_5774
img_5765
img_5766
img_5767
img_5768
img_5769
img_5770
img_5771
img_5772

The Scriptures Teach of Jesus Birth

The Old Testament Teaches of Jesus Birth

Christmas: Old Testament

Christmas New Testament

What I Like About Christmas

Friend December 2023 “Following Jesus Together” Children’s Christmas crafts, art, and favorite things about Christmas

Nov 26 2017

Christmas: Advent Calendar

Posted on by
fullsizerender

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Preparation

  • Print the pictures and the date cards. (Use seven sheets of white cardstock for the pictures and seven sheets of color cardstock for the date cards. You can use Christmas paper for the date cards if desired.)  Number the back of the pictures 1 through 25. (For example: Isaiah would be #1, Nephi would be #2,  the star and moon would be #3, and so forth.) Cut out the pictures and date cards. (A paper-cutter makes the job go faster.)
  • Attach the sign “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” to the top of a poster board or display board and attach the date cards underneath the sign with sticky tack (or purchase a pocket chart and place each date card in a pocket). Walmart has a jewelry pocket holder that would work with this smaller version of the activity.
  •  For little ones, slip the matching pictures behind its date card in the pocket chart, or attach the scripture’s matching picture to the back of the date card before attaching it to the poster board.
  •  See here for a list of the scriptures.

Instructions:

Each day, starting on the first day of December, take a date card off the chart (going in numerical order) and read the scripture together as a family. Older children can find the matching picture that goes with the scripture and replace the date card with the picture, or if you have little ones have them turn the card around so the picture is showing and then put the card back in its spot if using a poster board, or, if using a pocket chart, take out the date card to display the picture behind it.

(The pictures and idea came from the Friend December 1985.)

Activity Cards and Inserts

The below activity cards have an activity related to each day’s scripture, and they also have an item related to the scripture that you can put into the pocket chart or into lunch bags. Click on each page, save, print saved file, and cut out the cards. Put the cards in the correct pockets of the chart, or staple one on each of the lunch bags. Read through the activity list below to make sure you have all the supplies needed, then fill the pockets or bag with those items. (The Christmas squares paper is from Freepik.com)

Day 1: Isaiah Card and Mobile: (Print and cut out the two pages of the “Prophets Foretold Jesus Christ’s Birth Mobile.” Follow the remaining preparation instructions on the activity.) The first few days of the advent calendar are about the prophecies of Jesus Christ’s birth, so on each of the first five days, tie a prophet card on the mobile and read the scripture of that prophet’s words. Day one is Isaiah. Explain that a virgin is a pure woman and Immanuel means “God with Us” meaning Jesus’ birth into mortality.

Day 2: Nephi Card and Coloring Page: (Print a copy of the coloring page for each person who will be coloring. Include crayons in the sack or pocket.) Have a child tie the Nephi card onto the mobile and then have family members color in the figures of Nephi and Isaiah on the coloring page. Ask the  children what the scripture tells about Jesus’ birth.

Day 3: Samuel the Lamanite Card, Video, and Song: Tie the Samuel the Lamanite card onto the mobile. Color in his picture on the coloring page. Watch the video about Samuel the Lamanite and then sing along with the “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus” Video.

Day 4: Micah Card and Song: Tie the Micah card on the mobile, and color the Micah figure on the coloring page. Explain that this scripture tells of where Jesus would be born. Sing along with a YouTube video of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”

Day 5: Adam Card and Retell: Tie the Adam card onto the mobile. There is no Adam figure on the coloring page. Explain that other prophets also foretold of Jesus’ birth. Have them color in the last prophet on the page, and then have them retell about the prophets and what each foretold about Jesus’ birth.

Day 6: Video: Watch the video “Chapter One: Elisabeth and Zacharias” from the New Testament Stories DVD or LDS Media Library. I included the DVD in this bag. You could have popcorn in the bag instead of the DVD if you are watching it on LDS Media.

Day 7: Video and Mary and Angel Figures: Place Mary and the Angel on a wall if using the cutouts from LDS Media Library or on a table if using a child friendly nativity set. Watch Mary and the Angel Gabriel (video). (See more Cutouts below.)

Primary Cutouts
Manual Cutouts

Day 8: Video and Joseph Figure: Watch the video “Chapter Four: Joseph and the Angel” from the New Testament Stories DVD or LDS Media Library. Place Joseph on a table (or on a wall if using cutouts from LDS Media Library).

Day 9: Chocolate Coins: Using chocolate coins, discuss what taxes could be used for—roads, schools, etc. Set aside the tax coins and put them in bag or pocket #10 to enjoy tomorrow. (Chocolate coins can be purchased at party stores or in the party supply section at Walmart.)

Day 10: Chocolate Coin Taxes: Distribute and eat the chocolate coin taxes. Optional: Look up an online map of Israel from Jesus’ time period and point out all the cities people may have gone to be taxed.

Day 11: Maze Coloring Page: (Print a maze for each child.) Using a crayon, find the path to Bethlehem through the maze for Mary and Joseph.

Day 12: Stable and Video:  Watch half the video “Chapter Five: Jesus Christ is Born” from the New Testament Stories DVD or LDS Media library. Watch to the point where a stable is mentioned (pt. 37) then have a child place the stable on a table—or on the wall if using cutouts from LDS Media–and then put the figures of Mary and Joseph in the stable. (Click on the following image of a stable, save, and then print it the full size of the paper for the cutouts.)  

Day 13: Baby Jesus Figure and Song: Put the baby Jesus and manager in the stable (or on the wall) Sing the song “Away in a Manger.”  Sing along with a YouTube video or a Children’s Songbook recording.

Day 14: Window Picture: Print the picture of the earth and the picture of Jesus. Attach the front of the picture of Jesus to the back of the picture of the earth, or put both in a single page protector. Have the children hold the picture up to the light of a window or lamp. Explain that Jesus created the earth but was born humbly in a lowly stable.

Day 15: Shepherd Figures: Place the shepherds and sheep figures on the table or wall–but not in the manger.

Day 16: Angel Figure and Song: Place the angel on the table or wall near the shepherds. Watch and sing along with a YouTube video of “Stars were Gleaming.” (Verse One)

Day 17: Candy Canes: Place the shepherds and sheep in the stable. Candy Canes: Explain that shepherds carried hooked staffs in order to get sheep who had wandered off or needed help. Candy canes remind us of caring shepherds and of Jesus who is the Good Shepherd. Watch the second half of the video “Jesus Christ is Born.” (From pt. 47 to the end)(Children’s Songbook)

Day 18 Map and Wisemen Sticker: (Print the below map and the Wisemen sticker page.  Put the map in a page protector if planning to use it again. Cut out the Wisemen and make them into stickers or put tape of the back of them. Put one of the stickers in this bag.) Show the map to the children and explain that it is a map of the land of Israel where Jesus was born. Have a child decide where the East is on the map and then stick the Wisemen sticker onto that part of the map. (The map is from the LDS Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students Unit 7)

Day 19: Wisemen Sticker and Marker: Have a child put the Wisemen sticker on the first place the Wisemen went looking for baby Jesus. Draw a dotted line between the two stickers with a marker or dry erase marker. Look at this painting of Jerusalem by James Tisset and discuss reasons the Wisemen thought the King of the Jews might be in Jerusalem.

Day 20: Scroll Activity: (Cut a a piece of paper in half lengthwise. Cut each piece in half again lengthwise. Cut all the pieces in half widthwise. You should end up with 8 pieces of paper 5.5 inches by 2.25 inches. Write in the middle of one of the papers the word “Bethlehem.” Roll the papers into small scrolls–one per family member–and tie them with string or jute.)  Explain that Herod’s chief priests and scribes would have read the prophecies of Jesus’ birth on records made on scrolls. Have each family member choose a scroll from the bag or pocket. The person who finds the word “Bethlehem” will read it during the next day’s activity and place the next sticker. You may want to mention that when King Herod heard of the birth of a new king of the Jews,” he became alarmed because it threatened his rule as king.

Day 21: Wisemen Sticker: Have the family member read the scroll and then draw a dotted line from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and put the Wisemen sticker near Bethlehem.

Day 22: Star Activity: Decorate star cookies or decorate a star craft item such as these popsicle sticks stars or the below string threading activity, then hang the decorated star or star cutout over the manager scene.

Day 23: Wisemen Figures: Put the Wisemen figures in the nativity scene (or on the wall if using the cutouts from LDS Media Library).

Day 24: Retell the Story of Jesus’ Birth: If needed, review the story of Jesus’ birth by reading a storybook or watching “The Nativity” video. Then, using the Nativity figures or cutouts, have family members retell or act out the story of Jesus’ birth. Optional: Give a candy kiss or hug after each person’s response and input.

Day 25: Picture of Jesus and Song: Print an image of Jesus as an adult. See LDS Media Library or use the cutout. Show the picture and post it near the nativity. Optional: Sing along with a YouTube video of “Joy to the World.”

*Send me the pictures of the advent calendars you make so I can share the different ways it can be done.

Nov 29 2010

Winter Wonderland Music Game

Posted on by

 

Winter Wonderland Music Game

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.