Guide to the Friend

The Guide to the Friend can help you find stories or articles for preparing lessons or talks for church or for family home evening. Look for the FHE symbol on the pages mentioned in the Family Home Evening Ideas. The Primary theme for December is “Heavenly Father fulfilled His promise to send a Savior.”

Family Home Evening Ideas

Look for the FHE symbol on the [original magazine] pages mentioned below.

1. Read or retell the story “Room for Three” (pp. 4–5). Think about people you know at home, school, church, or in your neighborhood who may feel lonely. Plan ways to include them, to let them in.

2. Talk about all the ways the bishopric serves the members of your ward. Then make each of them a treat or a simple gift (see “Christmas Workshop,” pp. 6–7) and deliver your offerings with a Christmas carol and good wishes.

3. Read the poem “The Blessed Christ Child” (p. 13). Why did the angels appear to shepherds? Discuss how we can be like them. One way is to recognize signs of the Savior’s Second Coming and be prepared to meet Him.

4. Cooperate as a family to complete the activity “The Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit” (p. 26). Talk about the ways you have been blessed by spiritual gifts. Then discuss how you know when you are feeling the Spirit because of spiritual fruits. How can spiritual fruits help you know what is right? Read the secret message to find out. Write the names of spiritual gifts and fruits on strips of red and green paper. Create a paper chain to decorate the Christmas tree or another part of your house to remind you to seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

5. Pair off with a family member and look at each other’s face for several seconds, trying not to smile. How hard is it? Read “Christmas Smiles” (pp. 30–31). Being selfish makes us unhappy while loving others makes us smile. Decide this season to smile often, sharing your love and Christmas greetings with as many people as you can.