“I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus”

By Judy Edwards

Thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God (2 Ne. 2:3).

When Jesus Christ was born, an angel appeared to shepherds to tell them the wonderful news: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Then the angel was joined by many others from heaven, and together they said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Peace had come to earth because Jesus had come to earth to live and be our Savior. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He was given this title because His atoning sacrifice brings peace to all people who accept Him as their Savior. As we try to love and serve as Jesus did, we can feel His peace in our own hearts. And we can help others feel His peace as we love and serve them.

Instructions

Even though many people celebrate Christmas on December 25, we should celebrate it every day by trying to be like Jesus. That’s why this year’s advent calendar is for the whole month of December, not just the first twenty-five days.

Remove pages 24–25 and page 39 from the magazine and mount them on cardboard. Cut out the ornaments and put them into an envelope or small sack. Each day, do the suggested activity; when you have finished it, “hang” (glue) an ornament in that place on the tree.

1 Say “I love you” to someone.	17 Make a Christmas card for your Primary teacher.	9 Surprise a brother (or sister) by doing one of his chores.	22 Use a happy voice all day long.
18 Read or listen to a scripture story.	26 Write a thank-you note to a family member or a friend.	23 Draw a Christmas picture of your family.	30 List the good things that have happened to you during the year in your journal.
11 Share a smile with as many people as you can.	8 Read a story to someone younger than you are.	28 Tell a friend why you like him or her.	3 Clean your room without being asked.
21 Memorize a scripture and recite it for someone.	25 Thank Heavenly Father for your blessings.	6 Say something nice about a person you know.	10 Write a letter of thanks to the bishop.
7 Write a Christmas letter to a missionary.	15 Say “Merry Christmas” to a neighbor.	29 Help a family member with a task.	16 Ask your mom or dad how you can be of help.
14 Make a gift to give as a surprise.	20 Do something nice for someone you don’t know very well.	12 Help a friend who needs you.	19 Leave love notes where your mother and/or father will find them.
13 Put out crumbs for the birds.	27 Help make your house tidy.	2 Draw a picture and give it away.	24 Write your feelings about Jesus in your journal.
5 Sing Christmas songs as you work.	31 Make a list of ways you can try to be like Jesus during the coming year.	4 Talk with someone who seems lonely.

Sharing Time Ideas

Sing “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, page 78), and have children help make a service chart (see Walk in His Ways manual A, page 195). Have them draw pictures of service they give others, then compile the pictures and the chart into a book for the bishop or branch president as a special Christmas gift.
Help children find and read Isaiah 9:6 [Isa. 9:6] (2 Ne. 19:6). Using appropriate drawings, old Christmas cards, or pictures from Church magazines, help each child make a page for her or his Book of Peace (See Sharing Time Idea #3, Friend, January 1994, page 44), showing Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace.
Help each child create a “Christmas Gifts of Service” coupon booklet, with a coupon for each family member.
Using “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, page 34), discuss with the children Christ’s mission as the Prince of Peace.
Have the children stand (then sit down) each time they sing the word peace in these Christmas carols: “Mary’s Lullaby,” page 44; “Sleep, Little Jesus,” page 47; “The Nativity Song,” page 52 (all in Children’s Songbook); “It Came upon the Midnight Clear,” no. 207; “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” no. 208; “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains,” no. 212; “Silent Night,” no. 204 (all in Hymns, 1985).

Illustrated by Julie F. Young