Farewell to 2017
December 29, 2017
In just a couple days we will celebrate the beginning of a new year. It’s a bittersweet time, because we must say goodbye to 2017! We’ve had a great time watching paper hearts pour in from children all around the world. If you haven’t seen the video about how children filled the world with love, check it out here. We even got hearts from grownups—for example, the stake Primary presidencies and choristers in O’Fallon, Illinois, USA, filled out hearts as part of stake leadership training. Next year we will be asking children to “let their light shine” and send us their stars. Perhaps you could kick off the year by filling out a star yourself and setting a bright example! Happy New Year!
The Gift of a Friend
December 22, 2017
Are you looking for a gift idea for a child in your family, Primary class, or neighborhood? Give them a Friend! A year’s subscription is only $8 US (£5.35, $10.65 AUD, $10.40 CAD, or €7.35). They’ll get monthly messages and fun activities delivered to their doorstep—all for the price of a combo meal at your local fast-food joint. Click here to subscribe by mail, or use store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to subscribe online. Every child could use a Friend!
A World of Light, Not Stress
December 12, 2017
We hope you’ve noticed the beautiful Nativity calendar in the center of this month’s Friend magazine. We also hope it doesn’t stress you out! Each day doesn’t need to be a major holiday production. Taking a minute to read a scripture and color a star will help your family stay focused on Jesus Christ. Then, if you have extra time, check out other #LightTheWorld activities and videos at Mormon.org. Either way, don’t feel bad if you can’t “do it all”! The most important thing to focus on this holiday season is love.
Sharing Your Christmas Testimony
By Kim Webb Reid
December 1, 2017
Your little ones will feel something special this season when you give them the most meaningful gift of all—your testimony of the Savior.
Here are some ideas:
- To make a child-friendly Nativity set, glue drawings or illustrations from Church magazines to cardboard or blocks. Let your child play with the set while you read about the Nativity from the scriptures (see Luke 2:1–20).
- Make a paper-chain countdown. On the links write the titles of songs that tell the story of Jesus’s birth. Listen to or sing one song each night.
- Light candles at dinner or sit around the Christmas tree before bedtime. Point out that we feel warm, peaceful, and happy when we think about Jesus.
- Remind your little ones about whose birthday we celebrate on Christmas and what we often do for birthdays—we give! Help your family simplify their wish lists by reading the story of the Wise Men. How many gifts did Jesus receive? The Wise Men brought a few thoughtful gifts filled with love.
