Little Lamb, by Jenedy Paige

December 18–24

Christmas

“Good Tidings of Great Joy”

Consider how pondering the Savior’s birth and mission can help bring a spirit of peace and sacredness to the Christmas season.

Record Your Impressions

Why does the birth of a baby bring such great joy? Perhaps because a new baby can be a symbol of hope. There’s something about a brand-new life full of possibilities that invites us to ponder what life might hold for that child and what wonderful things he or she will accomplish. Never has this been truer than at the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Never has there been more hope placed in a child, and never has there been one born with so much promise.

When an angel invited shepherds to seek a newborn child in a manger, he also gave them a message about that child. It was a message of hope—that this baby had come to earth to fulfill a sacred mission. The shepherds made their message “known abroad … and all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:17–19). Perhaps it would be good to follow Mary’s example this Christmas: to ponder in your heart the things you have learned about the Savior this year. How did He fulfill His mission of redemption in the accounts you have read? And more important, how has His mission changed your life? Then you might feel inspired to follow the example of the shepherds: how will you make it “known abroad” what Jesus Christ has done for you?

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Matthew 1:18–25; 2:1–12; Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20

Jesus Christ condescended to be born among us on earth.

Even if you have read or heard the story of the birth of Jesus Christ many times before, study it this time with this thought in mind: “Christmas is not only a celebration of how Jesus came into the world but also of knowing who He is—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—and of why He came” (Craig C. Christensen, “The Fulness of the Story of Christmas” [First Presidency Christmas devotional, Dec. 4, 2016], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

What do you know about who Jesus Christ was before He was born? (see, for example, John 17:5; Mosiah 3:5; Doctrine and Covenants 76:13–14, 20–24; Moses 4:2). How does this knowledge affect the way you feel when you read about His birth?

What do you know about why Jesus Christ came to earth? (see, for example, Luke 4:16–21; John 3:16–17; 3 Nephi 27:13–16; Doctrine and Covenants 20:20–28). How does this knowledge affect the way you feel about the Savior? How does it affect the way you live?

See also 2 Corinthians 8:9; Hebrews 2:7–18; 1 Nephi 11:13–33; Alma 7:10–13; “The Nativity” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

1 Corinthians 15:21–26; Colossians 1:12–22; 1 Peter 2:21–25

Jesus Christ fulfilled His mission and made it possible for me to inherit eternal life.

Although the story of Christ’s birth was surrounded by miraculous events, His would be just another birth if it weren’t for the great work that He accomplished later in His life. As President Gordon B. Hinckley put it, “The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection” (“The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas,” Ensign, Dec. 2000, 5).

Gethsemane, by J. Kirk Richards

Evidence of the Savior’s divine mission and His powerful love for others is found throughout the New Testament. Which passages or accounts come to your mind? You might look back through this resource or your study journal and review some of the impressions you recorded. You could also read 1 Corinthians 15:21–26; Colossians 1:12–22; 1 Peter 2:21–25 and ponder how the Savior and His work have blessed your life. What do you feel inspired to change in your life? How will you draw on the Savior’s power?

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Matthew 1:18–25; 2:1–12; Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20.How can you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with your family? Here are a few ideas, or you can come up with your own:

• Read or act out parts of the Nativity story together.

• Watch the video “The Christ Child” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Explore some of the resources in the “Jesus Christ” collection in the Gospel Library, especially in the section titled “His Birth (Christmas).”

• Watch a First Presidency Christmas devotional (broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Sing Christmas hymns together, or choose neighbors or friends to visit and sing to them (see Hymns, nos. 201–14).

• Perform an act of service.

• Ask family members to look for details in the Nativity story that give them ideas for ornaments or decorations they could make to remind them of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:21–26; Colossians 1:12–22; 1 Peter 2:21–25.Why are we grateful that Jesus Christ was born? What gifts has He given us? How can we show Him our gratitude? Your family could sing a song that teaches about His mission, such as “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35).

“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.”If you want to help your family focus on the Savior at Christmastime, perhaps you could spend some time reading and studying together “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Maybe you could memorize passages from “The Living Christ” or look for descriptions of the Savior’s life in the New Testament that support statements in it. You could also invite each family member to write his or her own testimony of Jesus Christ and, if so prompted, read it to the family.

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “Once within a Lowly Stable,” Children’s Songbook, 41.

Improving Personal Study

Look for Jesus Christ. The scriptures teach us that all things testify of Jesus Christ (see Moses 6:62–63), so we should look for Him in all things. As you read the scriptures, consider noting or marking verses that teach you about Him. Take time in the days leading up to Christmas to look for things around you that testify of Jesus Christ.

The Nativity, by Brian Call