“Lesson 30: Jesus Christ Is the Son of Heavenly Father,” Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual (2008), 124–27
“Lesson 30,” Behold Your Little Ones, 124–27
30
Jesus Christ Is the Son of Heavenly Father (Christmas)
Introduction for the Teacher
To prepare yourself spiritually to teach this lesson, please read and ponder the following:
Jesus Christ was born of a mortal mother, Mary, and an immortal father, Heavenly Father. He is literally the Son of God. Because of His great love for us, Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ to earth to be our Savior and our Exemplar. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Preparation
Mark page 106 in this manual so that you can turn to it easily.
Learning Activities
Begin with a gathering activity. For ideas, see page 3.
Prayer
Invite a child to give the opening prayer.
Picture
Show the picture on page 126. Invite the children to look for the baby in the picture. Tell them His name is Jesus, and invite them to say “Jesus.” Have the children pretend to cradle a baby in their arms.
Point to Mary in the picture and tell the children, “This is Jesus’s mother. Her name is Mary.”
Tell the children that Jesus is the Son of Heavenly Father. Invite the children to repeat “Jesus is the Son of Heavenly Father,” a few words at a time. Tell them that Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth because He loves us.
Song
Point to the baby Jesus in the picture again. Tell the children you are going to sing a song. Invite them to say, “He sent His Son” when you point to the baby Jesus. Let them practice a few times, and then sing or say the following words to “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35):
How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
He sent his Son, (point to the picture of baby Jesus) a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
Show the picture of Jesus Christ on page 106. Tell the children that the baby Jesus grew up to be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Invite them to say, “He sent His Son” when you point to the picture of the Savior. Sing or say the following words to “He Sent His Son”:
How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
He sent his son (point to the picture of the Savior) to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
Conclusion
Express your gratitude that Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ. Share your testimony that Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s Son.
Prayer
Invite a child to give the closing prayer.
Optional Activities
Preparation
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For the stick puppets: Copy and cut out the illustrations on page 127 for each child. Tape or glue a stick to the back of each illustration to make stick puppets for the children.
Jesus Christ Is the Son of Heavenly Father
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For the scripture activity: Bring a copy of the Book of Mormon. Mark 3 Nephi 9:15 so that you can turn to it easily.
Stick Puppets
Give the children the stick puppets you made for them. Briefly retell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in your own words (see Luke 2:4–16). Invite the children to hold up their stick puppets at appropriate times during the story. This activity is especially appropriate for older children.
Song
Sing or say the following words to “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, 42–43) and improvise actions suggested by the words. Invite the children to join you.
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
Activity Verse
Recite the following activity verse, and invite the children to join you:
A baby in a manger, (rock arms as if cradling a baby)
A loving mother near,
A star shines in the heavens, (point to the sky)
The Son of God is here! (fold arms)
Scripture
Tell the children that Jesus told us in the scriptures that He is the Son of God, our Heavenly Father. Open the Book of Mormon to 3 Nephi 9:15 and read, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God.” Invite the children to say “the Son of God” with you.