Behold the Lamb of God, by Walter Rane

December 21–27

Christmas

“He Shall Come into the World to Redeem His People”

Children are often eager to talk about how they celebrate Christmas. Ponder what you can do to help them focus on Jesus Christ and their gratitude for His birth.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Invite the children to tell about or draw a picture of something their family does at Christmastime to help them remember Jesus Christ.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

1 Nephi 11:13–22; Mosiah 3:5–8; Alma 7:9–13; Helaman 14:1–6; 3 Nephi 1:15, 19–21

Jesus Christ was born to be my Savior.

Do the children you teach know why we celebrate Christmas? How can you help them understand why the birth of Jesus Christ is a cause for celebration?

Possible Activities

• Tell about Jesus’s birth, displaying pictures as you do (such as Gospel Art Book, nos. 28, 29, 30, 31). Let the children share what they know. Use this week’s activity page to teach the children that people living in Book of Mormon times knew about Jesus’s birth.

• Read key phrases from Alma 7:11–12 to teach the children what Jesus Christ did for us. Share why you are grateful that Jesus Christ was born, and express your feelings about His atoning sacrifice.

• Show pictures depicting the Savior’s atoning sacrifice—such as His suffering in Gethsemane, death on the cross, and Resurrection (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 56, 57, 58, 59). Ask the children to tell you what they see in the pictures. Help them understand that Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ to earth to suffer for our sins, die for us, and be resurrected so that we can return to live with Him.

• Sing with the children a song about Jesus’s birth, such as “He Sent His Son” or “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35, 42–43). Point out to the children phrases in the song that describe blessings we have because of Jesus’s birth.

2 Nephi 25:23, 26

The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ.

As you conclude your study of the Book of Mormon this year, remind the children that this book is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” written to help us come unto Him.

Possible Activities

• Hold up a copy of the Book of Mormon for the children to see. Read the title and point to the words “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Let the children take turns holding the book, and help them find the Savior’s name on the cover. Tell the children how you feel about the Book of Mormon and how it has helped you learn about Jesus Christ.

• Give each child a picture of Jesus, or let them draw their own pictures of Him. Invite them to hold up their pictures each time they hear Christ’s name as you read 2 Nephi 25:23, 26. Testify that the Book of Mormon was written to help us “believe in Christ” (2 Nephi 25:23).

• Share with the children one of your favorite passages or stories from the Book of Mormon that helps you learn about Jesus Christ. Ask the children about their favorite stories in the Book of Mormon, and help them see how these stories help us learn about the Savior and come closer to Him. Looking at some of the pictures in Book of Mormon Stories could help them remember the stories.

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

1 Nephi 11:13–22; Mosiah 3:5–8; Alma 7:10–13; Helaman 14:1–6; 3 Nephi 1:15, 19–21

Jesus Christ was born to be my Savior.

Ponder how you can best help the children understand the significance of Christ’s birth and what it means for them.

Possible Activities

• Give each child one of the scripture references found on this week’s activity page. Invite them each to read their scripture, identify the prophet who was speaking, and share one thing that this prophet knew about Jesus Christ. Give them help or let them work together if needed.

• List on the board some of the events surrounding Jesus’s birth, as described in Luke 2:4–14; Matthew 2:1–2; and 3 Nephi 1:15, 19–21. Help the children search these scriptures to determine whether the events happened in Bethlehem, the Americas, or both. Why are we thankful to have the Book of Mormon as a second witness of Jesus Christ’s birth and mission as the Savior?

• Read Alma 7:10–13 with the children. What do we learn from these verses about Jesus’s birth? about His divinity? about His mission on earth? Invite the children to share why they are grateful for Jesus Christ, and share your testimony of Him.

2 Nephi 25:23, 26; 33:4, 10

The Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ.

Speaking about the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Joseph Smith said that “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (introduction to the Book of Mormon). How can you help the children understand this promise?

Possible Activities

• Give one of the following verses to each child: 2 Nephi 25:23, 26; 33:4, 10. Invite the children to read their verse and identify what the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi wanted us to know. Ask them to write what they find on the board. Explain that these things describe an important purpose of the Book of Mormon. Let the children role-play with each other how they would explain to a friend an important purpose of the Book of Mormon.

• Share with the children one of your favorite passages or stories from the Book of Mormon that helps you learn about Jesus Christ. Ask the children about their favorite stories in the Book of Mormon, and help them see how these stories help us learn about the Savior and come closer to Him. Share with the children how the Book of Mormon has helped you know that Jesus is the Christ. Encourage the children to think of a verse or story from the Book of Mormon that strengthens their belief in Jesus Christ. Ask them to share it with a friend or family member who doesn’t know about the Book of Mormon.

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to share with their family how the Book of Mormon has helped them learn more about Christ. Encourage them to share a verse or story from the Book of Mormon as part of their testimony.

Improving Our Teaching

Children love stories. Stories are one of the best ways to help children learn and remember truths. As you share the story of Jesus’s birth, consider also sharing stories from your life that have helped to strengthen your faith in the Savior.