20 days till Christmas
DAY 1: Eternal Life
The symbol is the fir tree. The ever green needles do not leave the tree dead looking and they all point heavenward.
Scripture of the day:
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
Moroni 7:22-23 - For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.
The Christmas story starts long before Christ was born. Prophets were told of His coming and His birth was greatly anticipated, just as we anticipate the coming of Christmas today.
Read Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7
1 Nephi 11:14-20
Activity: Sing "O Christmas Tree" and set up the tree.
DAY 2: We all have a purpose in God's plan
The symbol is the snowflake. We are all unique and precious in God's eye.
Scripture of the day:
Luke 1:26-38 - And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no bend.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I aknow not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her bold age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Activity: Cut out snowflakes! Sing "Let It Snow!"
DAY 3: Eternal Love. Even when we're having hard times and trials, there is still an unending source of love to turn to. God made the Plan of Salvation to help us ALL return to Him, and He is always there to help when we turn to Him. Especially when things happen that overwhelm us, or when we just can't understand them. He will always send the comfort and peace that we need if we ask.
The symbol is the wreath which shows the never ending eternal nature of love.
Scripture of the day:
Matt. 1:18-23
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Activity: Sing "Silent Night" Put up Christmas lights.
DAY 4: We will all have to pass through trial and error in this world. We are to follow the laws of the land, but can turn to Christ for the comfort and understanding that we need. I've often thought of Mary travelling on the back of a Donkey and how uncomfortable she must have been, something I never fully appreciated until I found how uncomfortable being great with child really was, (and I had a nice car to ride in) and the fear and apprehension she must have felt to be away from home and the help that she had there when her time was upon her. However, as long as we follow Him, our path will lead us to where we want to be.
The symbol is a candle: Follow the light, and also be a light and an example for others.
S: Luke 2:1-5 - And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Micah 5:2 - But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
A: Sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Address Christmas cards.
DAY 5: Jesus' birth
This must have been such a sacred moment for Mary and Joseph, being in such close and private quarters during this special time. What seems cruel at first glance was turned into a great blessing. Inns in those days would rent out space, not rooms, so had they been able to squeeze into the Inn, they would have been crowded by other people in a large lobby-like space with no private space. Since they were in the stable with the animals, they had heat, privacy, and comfort on the fresh hay to share the first moments of their miracle with each other.
The symbol is the manger, which reminds us that from small and humble things, great things are brought to pass.
Scripture of the day:
Luke 2:6-7 - And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Activity: Sing "Away in a Manger" Set up the nativity.
The symbol is the fir tree. The ever green needles do not leave the tree dead looking and they all point heavenward.
Scripture of the day:
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life
Moroni 7:22-23 - For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.
The Christmas story starts long before Christ was born. Prophets were told of His coming and His birth was greatly anticipated, just as we anticipate the coming of Christmas today.
Read Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7
1 Nephi 11:14-20
Activity: Sing "O Christmas Tree" and set up the tree.
DAY 2: We all have a purpose in God's plan
The symbol is the snowflake. We are all unique and precious in God's eye.
Scripture of the day:
Luke 1:26-38 - And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no bend.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I aknow not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her bold age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Activity: Cut out snowflakes! Sing "Let It Snow!"
DAY 3: Eternal Love. Even when we're having hard times and trials, there is still an unending source of love to turn to. God made the Plan of Salvation to help us ALL return to Him, and He is always there to help when we turn to Him. Especially when things happen that overwhelm us, or when we just can't understand them. He will always send the comfort and peace that we need if we ask.
The symbol is the wreath which shows the never ending eternal nature of love.
Scripture of the day:
Matt. 1:18-23
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Activity: Sing "Silent Night" Put up Christmas lights.
DAY 4: We will all have to pass through trial and error in this world. We are to follow the laws of the land, but can turn to Christ for the comfort and understanding that we need. I've often thought of Mary travelling on the back of a Donkey and how uncomfortable she must have been, something I never fully appreciated until I found how uncomfortable being great with child really was, (and I had a nice car to ride in) and the fear and apprehension she must have felt to be away from home and the help that she had there when her time was upon her. However, as long as we follow Him, our path will lead us to where we want to be.
The symbol is a candle: Follow the light, and also be a light and an example for others.
S: Luke 2:1-5 - And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Micah 5:2 - But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
A: Sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Address Christmas cards.
DAY 5: Jesus' birth
This must have been such a sacred moment for Mary and Joseph, being in such close and private quarters during this special time. What seems cruel at first glance was turned into a great blessing. Inns in those days would rent out space, not rooms, so had they been able to squeeze into the Inn, they would have been crowded by other people in a large lobby-like space with no private space. Since they were in the stable with the animals, they had heat, privacy, and comfort on the fresh hay to share the first moments of their miracle with each other.
The symbol is the manger, which reminds us that from small and humble things, great things are brought to pass.
Scripture of the day:
Luke 2:6-7 - And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Activity: Sing "Away in a Manger" Set up the nativity.