For unto us a child is born

May our hearts be full of gratitude and wonder this

Christmas season as we remember the true meaning of
Christmas and ponder the greatest miracle of all...The
miracle of the Christ Child.

Merry Christmas...
A special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this advent calendar special!: Abby
Kunz, Julia Green, Jeannette Owens, Natacia Owens, Sarah Clark, Millie Shumway, Jerrilee

Bressler, Skyler Poteat, Alena Turner, Rachel Eggleston and Cameron Eggleston. Thank you!
~ Love Teisha Poteat

MERRY CHRISTMAS

For unto us a child is

born, unto us a son is
given: And the
Government shall be upon
His shoulders and His
name shall be called
Wonderful, Councellor, the
mighty God, the
everlasting Father, the
Prince of Peace (Isaiah
9:6).

-December 1stProphecies of Old

We can prepare for
Christmas by learning about
prophecies from the past
that prepared people for the
first coming of Christ.

Many prophets in the

Bible and Book of Mormon
foretold Jesus Christs
birth and ministry
hundreds of years before
the actual event (New
Era, Dec 2008).
The birth of Jesus Christ
changed the face of the earth
forever. Because Prophets
understood the importance
of His coming, they prepared
the world for Christ

hundreds of years before His

actual birth.
Read: (Choose three)1 Nephi
19:8-9, Isaiah 9:6-7, Alma
7:10-13, Alma 19:13, Isaiah
7:14-16, Jeramiah 23:5-6,
Micah 5:2, 1 Nephi 11:13-21,
Mosiah 3:8, Helaman 14:2-8,
Moses 5:57, Ezekiel 34:2427, Mosiah 3:5-13,
Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 53:312, Samuel 2:6, Job 19:2527.
Today these prophecies
witness to every nation of the
significance of Jesus Christs
birth, and life. He did live.
He walked with men. He
died for our sins. And He
rose again on the third day.

*Activity: Think of, and

record 10 ways you can
prepare yourself for Christs
second coming.
*Song: Sing or listen to
Hark the Harold Angels
Sing

-December 2ndChristmas Beginnings

Thomas S. Monson reminds
us that while the beauty of
Christmas can be found in
the brilliant and shiny
decorations, that first
Christmas was beautiful
despite that it was simple
and plain.
The decorations are
beautiful, and its fun to give
and receive presents, but

You will recall from Dr.

Seusss holiday horror
story, How the Grinch
Stole Christmas, that the
devilish Grinch determined to
rob Who-Ville of every holiday
treat. In a nefarious scheme
in which the Grinch dressed
as Santa himself, he moved
through Who-Ville taking
every package, tree,
ornament, and stocking.

He stared down at Who-

Ville!
The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook!
What he saw was a shocking
surprise.
Every Who down in WhoVille, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any
presents at all!
He HADNT stopped
Christmas from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came
just the same!
And the Grinch, with his
Grinch-feet ice-cold in the
snow
Stood puzzling and puzzling:
How could it be so?
It came without ribbons! It
came without tags!
It came without packages,
boxes or bags!
And he puzzled three hours,
till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of
something he hadnt before!
Maybe Christmas, he
thought, doesnt come from
a store.
Maybe Christmas perhaps
means a little bit more!
(Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch
Stole Christmas, New York:
Random House, 1957)

Claus and Frosty and

Rudolphand all would be
welcome. But first and forever
there was just a little family,
without toys or trees or tinsel.
With a babythats how
Christmas began (Jeffrey R.
Holland, Without Ribbons
and Bows, New Era, Dec
1994).
Part of the purpose for telling
the story of Christmas is to
remind us that Christmas
doesnt come from a store.
I do not feelor mean this to
soundlike a modern-day
Scrooge. The gold,
frankincense, and myrrh
were humbly given and
appreciatively received, and
so they should be, every year
and always. As my wife and
children can testify, no one
gets more giddy about the
giving and receiving of
presents than I do. But for
that very reason, I, like you,
need to remember the very
plain scene, even the poverty,
of a night devoid of tinsel or
wrapping or goods of this
world. Only when we see
that sacred, unadorned child
of our devotionthe Babe of
Bethlehemwill we know
why tis the season to be
jolly and why the giving of
gifts is so appropriate.
At the focal point of all human
history, a point illuminated by
a new star in the heavens
revealed for just such a
purpose, probably no other
mortal watchednone but a
poor young carpenter, a
beautiful virgin mother, and
silent stabled animals who
had not the power to utter the
sacredness they had seen.
Shepherds would soon arrive
and later, wise men from the
East. Later yet the memory of
that night would bring Santa

*Activity: Display a nativity

scene in your home if you
have not already. If you dont
have one yet, color, create or
purchase one.

The True Meaning of

Christmas
(Author Unknown)
Just a week before
Christmas I had a visitor.
This is how it happened. I
just finished the household
chores for the night and was
preparing to go to bed, when
I heard a noise in the front of
the house. I opened the door
to the front room and to my
surprise, Santa himself
stepped out next to the
fireplace.

*Song: Sing or listen to

Silent Night

-December 3rdFinding Christ in

Christmas
"How is Christmas regarded
today? The legend of Santa
Clause, the Christmas tree,
the decorations of tinsel and
mistletoe, and the giving of
gifts all express to us the
spirit of the day we celebrate;
but the true spirit of
Christmas lies much deeper
than these. It is found in
the life of the Savior, in the
principles He taught, in His
atoning sacrifice--which
become our great heritage"
(-Howard W. Hunter, "The
Real Christmas," Ensign, Dec.
2005, 24).

"What are you doing?" I

started to ask. The words
choked up in my throat and I
saw he had tears in his eyes.
His usual jolly manner was
gone. Gone was the eager,
boisterous soul we all know.
He then answered me with a
simple statement . . .
"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I
was puzzled. What did he
mean? He anticipated my
question and with one quick
movement brought forth a
miniature toy bag from
behind the tree. As I stood
bewildered, Santa said,
"TEACH THE CHILDREN!
Teach them the old
meaning of Christmas. The
meaning that now-a-days
Christmas has forgotten.
Santa then reached in his
bag and pulled out a FIR
TREE and placed it before
the mantle.Teach the
children that the pure
green color of the stately
fir tree remains green all
year round, depicting the
everlasting hope of
mankind, all the needles

point heavenward, making

it a symbol of man's
thoughts turning toward
heaven."

He again reached into his

bag and pulled out a brilliant
STAR. "Teach the children
that the star was the
heavenly sign of promises
long ago. God promised a
Savior for the world, and
the star was the sign of
fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag

and pulled out a CANDLE.
"Teach the children that
the candle symbolizes that
Christ is the light of the
world, and when we see
this great light we are
reminded of He who
displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into

his bag and removed a
WREATH and placed it on
the tree. "Teach the
children that the wreath
symbolizes the real nature
of love. Real love never
ceases. Love is one

continuous round of
affection."

He then pulled from his bag

an ORNAMENT of himself.
"Teach the children that I,
Santa Claus, symbolize
the generosity and good
will we feel during the
month of December."

He then brought out a

HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the
children that the holly
plant represents
immortality. It represents
the crown of thorns worn
by our Savior. The red
holly berries represent the
blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a

GIFT and said, "Teach the
children that God so loved
the world that he gave his
begotten son. Thanks be to
God for his unspeakable
gift.

Santa then reached in his

bag and pulled out a CANDY
CANE and hung it on the
tree. "Teach the children
that the candy cane
represents the shepherds'
crook. The crook on the
staff helps to bring back
strayed sheep to the flock.
The candy cane is the
symbol that we are our
brother's keeper."

He reached in again and

pulled out an ANGEL.
"Teach the children that it
was the angels that
heralded in the glorious
news of the Savior's birth.
The angels sang Glory to
God in the highest, on
earth peace and good will
toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft

twinkling sound, and from
his bag he pulled out a
BELL. "Teach the children
that as the lost sheep are
found by the sound of the
bell, it should ring
mankind to the fold. The

bell symbolizes guidance

and return.

Santa looked back and was

pleased. He looked back at
me and I saw that the
twinkle was back in his eyes.
He said, "Remember, teach
the children the true
meaning of Christmas and
do not put me in the
center, for I am but a
humble servant of the One
that is, and I bow down to
worship him, our LORD,
our GOD."
*Activity: Display all (or as
many as you can) of the
symbols from the story
around your home this year.
*Song: Sing or listen to O
Holy Night

-December 4thThe Christmas Spirit

Thomas S. Monson has
said: Why does peace
come closer to reality at
this season than at any
other? Why is it that
more friends are
remembered and more
enemies forgiven at the
Christmas season than
at any other time? It is
the Christmas spirit
(What Is Christmas?
Liahona Dec. 1998).

Catching Christmas
(By: Tina Dean)
Mother has always been
careful
To keep me from catching a
sickness.
But one thing she hopes I
come down with
Is a condition called spirit of
Christmas.
Catching the spirit of
Christmas
Is nothing like catching a
cold.
It makes you feel warm
And new and transformed
And leaves your heart feeling
like gold.
Catching the spirit of
Christmas
Is the catchingest of all that
goes round
During this season
When theres no greater
reason
To lift those whose heads
hang down.
Catching the spirit of
Christmas
Wont leave you sick in your
bed.
Itll give you the zest
To start living your best
And love others as Jesus has
said (Catching Christmas,
Friend, December 2011).

lds.org further clarifies what

the Christmas spirit is:
When we keep the spirit of
Christmas, we keep the Spirit
of Christ, for the Christmas
spirit is the Christ Spirit. It
will block out all the
distractions around us which
can diminish Christmas and
swallow up its true
meaning.

Because He came to earth,

we have a perfect example to
follow. As we strive to
become more like Him, we
will have joy and happiness
in our lives and peace each
day of the year. It is His
example which, if followed,
stirs within us more kindness
and love, more respect and
concern for others.
Because He came, there is
meaning to our mortal
existence.
Because He came, we know
how to reach out to those in
trouble or distress, wherever
they may be.
Because He came, death has
lost its sting, the grave its
victory. We will live again
because He came.
Because He came and paid
for our sins, we have the
opportunity to gain eternal
life. (President Thomas S.
Monson, 2011 First
Presidency Christmas
Devotional)
The Christmas season is a
time to reflect and act upon
the blessings and
opportunities we have
because of the birth, life,
Atonement, and Resurrection
of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As our Heavenly Father so
loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son (John
3:16), we express our love
toward one another and
toward God and His precious
Son by giving of ourselves
(Gospel Topics).
*Activity: Get into the
Christmas spirit by secretly
serving someone in need!

*Song: Sing or listen to The

Christmas Shoes

-December 5thChristmas Music

Christmas is a time of
song. The first Christmas was
heralded by angels praising
God. Today carolers on
street corners and at
doorsteps sing old familiar
Christmas carols. In Church
meetings and at programs
there is a sparkle and glow
in the eyes of children as
they sing songs about
Christmas and the Babys
birth (Latter Day Saint First
Presidency, Friend, Dec
1972).

help us to be more mindful of

the real beauty and purpose
of Christmas (New Era, 1976
December Q&A).
*Activity: Plan a day to go
Caroling with friends or
family.
*Song: Sing or listen to
Carol of the Bells

-December 6thChristmas Light

The light of Christmas is

not found in bulbs or
flames, but in the light of
the gospel that warms
the soul. (Gospel Light,
By Robert and Sara
Neilson, Ensign, Dec.
1989)
Do we remember the source
of all light? Jesus Christ said

Music has a tremendous

effect upon our thoughts and
feelings and sometimes our
actions. Let us hope that
throughout the Christmas
season we will choose to
listen to music that not only
uplifts us, but brings us
closer Christ. Helen K.
Richards declared:
More music has been written
to celebrate Christmas than
for any other day or season.
Let us use it with
discrimination to add
meaning to this beautiful
season. Let us enjoy music
that will enrich our lives and

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall
have the light of life (John
8:12).
A passage from the book of
Doctrine and Covenants
reminds us of the origin of
all light. Read Doctrine and
Covenants 88:6-13 (you can
find online if you dont have
it). Notice the various types
of light each of verses use to
depict the savior.
Christmas is a time of lights.
We light our homes and trees,
our streets, and our store
windows. Processions of
singing families carrying

torches wind their way

through the snowy Alps of
Austria as they go to attend
church at Christmastime. On
that first Christmas night
lights appeared in the
heavens, especially one
bright star that shone down
on the manger where the
Baby Jesus lay. Far away in
the new world bright lights
were also seen in the
heavens, and a night that did
not grow dark announced
that Christ had been born
just as had been foretold by
Book of Mormon prophets. At
this special time of year may
you feel the joy of Christmas,
remembering Jesus as you
see the lights of Christmas,
as you sing the music of
Christmas, and as you sense
the hurry and busyness of
Christmas (First
Presidency, Friend, Dec
1972).
This Christmas we should
heed President Dieter F.
Uchtdorfs counsel as he
reminds us to

Enjoy the wonders of

the season. Let us
rejoice in the music, the
festivities, and the
meaningful gifts. But let
us ever remember that
Jesus Christ is the Light
of the World.
*Activity: Drive around
town to look at the
Christmas lights.
*Song: Sing or listen to Do
You Hear What I Hear

-December 7th-

Gratitude

There are two little

words in the
English language that
perhaps mean more than
all the others. They are,
thank you.
-Gordon B. Hinckley

Henry B. Eyering shares a

personal story that reminds
us why it is important to be
grateful:
When our children were very
small, I started to write down
a few things about what
happened every day. Let me
tell you how that got started.
I came home late from a
Church assignment. It was
after dark. My father-in-law,
who lived near us, surprised
me as I walked toward the
front door of my house. He
was carrying a load of pipes
over his shoulder, walking
very fast and dressed in his
work clothes. I knew that he
had been building a system
to pump water from a stream
below us up to our property.
He smiled, spoke softly, and
then rushed past me into the
darkness to go on with his
work. I took a few steps
toward the house, thinking of
what he was doing for us,

and just as I got to the door, I

heard in my mindnot in my
own voicethese words: Im
not giving you these
experiences for yourself.
Write them down.
I went inside. I didnt go to
bed. Although I was tired, I
took out some paper and
began to write. And as I did, I
understood the message I
had heard in my mind. I was
supposed to record for my
children to read, someday in
the future, how I had seen
the hand of God blessing our
family. Grandpa didnt have
to do what he was doing for
us. He could have had
someone else do it or not
have done it at all. But he
was serving us, his family, in
the way covenant disciples of
Jesus Christ always do. I
knew that was true. And so I
wrote it down, so that my
children could have the
memory someday when they
would need it.
I wrote down a few lines
every day for years. I never
missed a day no matter how
tired I was or how early I
would have to start the next
day. Before I would write, I
would ponder this question:
Have I seen the hand of God
reaching out to touch us or
our children or our family
today? As I kept at it,
something began to happen.
As I would cast my mind over
the day, I would see evidence
of what God had done for one
of us that I had not
recognized in the busy
moments of the day. As that
happened, and it happened
often, I realized that trying to
remember had allowed God
to show me what He had
done.

More than gratitude began to

grow in my heart. Testimony
grew. I became ever more
certain that our Heavenly
Father hears and answers
prayers. I felt more gratitude
for the softening and refining
that come because of the
Atonement of the Savior
Jesus Christ. And I grew
more confident that the Holy
Ghost can bring all things to
our remembranceeven
things we did not notice or
pay attention to when they
happened.
The years have gone by. My
boys are grown men. And
now and then one of them
will surprise me by saying,
Dad, I was reading in my
copy of the journal about
when and then he will tell
me about how reading of
what happened long ago
helped him notice something
God had done in his day.
My point is to urge you to find
ways to recognize and
remember Gods kindness. It
will build our testimonies.
You may not keep a journal.
You may not share whatever
record you keep with those
you love and serve. But you
and they will be blessed as
you remember what the Lord
has done. (Henry B. Eyring,
Oh Remember, Remember,
General Conference, October
2007).

*Activity: Option 1: Say a

prayer today where you give

thanks for all the blessings

you can think of and do not
ask for anything. Option 2:
Write a letter to your parents
thanking them for the things
they have done for you.
Being grateful is a wonderful
gift.
*Song: Sing or listen to
Thankful By Josh Groban

-December 8th-

The Star of
Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem is an

important part of the
Christmas story. It helped
the wise men find the baby
Jesus. This, in turn, led to
King Herods decree that
caused Joseph to take Mary
and Jesus into Egypt,
fulfilling prophecy about the
Messiah coming out of
Egypt. Scholars have argued
over the years about whether
the Star of Bethlehem is a
real star, an angel, a comet,
a supernatural occurrence,
or something else, but
everyone can agree that the
Star of Bethlehem is a
Christmas treasure.
The story about the wise
men following the star is
found in the book of
Matthew:
7 Then Herod, when he had
privily called the wise men,
enquired of them diligently
what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to
Bethlehem, and said, Go and

search diligently for the

young child; and when ye
have found him, bring me
word again, that I may come
and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the
king, they departed; and, lo,
the star, which they saw in
the east, went before them,
till it came and stood over
where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star,
they rejoiced with exceeding
great joy. (Matthew 2:710)
It is important to note that
Ancient prophets also
prophesied about this
important Christmas symbol:
17 I shall see him, but not
now: I shall behold him, but
not nigh: there shall come
a Star out of Jacob, and a
Sceptre shall rise out of
Israel, and shall smite the
corners of Moab, and destroy
all the children of Sheth.
18 And Edom shall be a
possession, Seir also shall be
a possession for his enemies;
and Israel shall do valiantly.
19 Out of Jacob shall come
he that shall have dominion,
and shall destroy him that
remaineth of the city.
(Numbers 24:17)
The symbolism of the Star of
Bethlehem in the Christmas
story is beautifully explored
in the beloved Christmas
hymn, O Little Town of
Bethlehem (LDS Hymnal #
208), especially in the second
and third verses:
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the
angels keep
Their watch of wondering
love
O morning stars together

Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the
King
And Peace to men on earth
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human
hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will
receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
Christ taught, I am the light
and the life of the world, (3
Nephi 11:11). How perfect it
is that the Light of the world
was introduced to the world
through a beautiful light.
Just as the Star guided the
wise men and shepherds to
baby Jesus, Christ can be
the guiding star for us as we
walk through the ups and
downs of life.
*Activity: Think about
whether or not you have let
Jesus Christ be your guiding
star. Write in your journal
about your experience how
you can better let him guide
you.
*Song: Sing or listen to Oh
Little Town of Bethlehem

-December 9th-

Joy
Fear not: for, behold,
I bring you good
tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all
people
(Luke 2:10).

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a

French philosopher
and priest once
said, Joy is the
most infallible
sign of the
presence of God.
This is an insightful
statement. It
implies that to have
joy one must know
God, and he too
must know them.
Many people use
the words
happiness and joy
interchangeably.
But if you consider
Joys deeper meaning, one
can see that they are very
different words. Happiness
can be easily obtained but is
more difficult to hold on to.
Joy, on the other hand, is
difficult to obtain, but
endures. The things that
bring us the most joy in life
are not easy to come by; they
take time and effort to
cultivate. Having a family for
example, is not always a
walk in the park. But
children, siblings, and
parents can work together to
build a happy and joyful
home.
When God is present in our
lives, we can find lasting joy.
The scriptures say time and
time again that if we come
unto Christ we can have a
fullness of joy:
Wherefore; fear not even
unto death; for in this world
your joy is not full, but in me
your joy is full.
(D&C 10:36)
Without God and our Savior,
Jesus Christ we cannot
experience a fullness of joy.

Building a relationship with

our Father in Heaven
enables us to have eternal
Joy. The following story
illustrates how we can
evaluate the joy in our own
lives:
A couple weeks ago, life was
dragging a little bit. I wasnt
unhappy by any stretch of
the imagination, but there
was a little heaviness to my
gait, a little lethargy in my
life, and a little less patience
with people. Life didnt seem
as full or as vibrant as it
normally did.
Reflecting on this at the
time, it wasnt a hard
malaise to diagnose: I
realized that I had gotten so
busy doing things for God
that I was neglecting
spending time with God.
This in turn had an impact
on the rhythms of my dayI
found myself working later
and longer, and allowing the
healthy boundaries between
work and rest to become
fudgedand on top of that, in
the midst of my own
busyness, I was also
neglecting to spend lifegiving time with my closest
friends.
Joy is not happiness; it is
not contingent upon
circumstance. Joy is deeper,
more rooted, and more
connected with the person of
God. In John 15, Jesus
talked to his disciples about
the importance of remaining
abidingin him, and he
said:
If ye keep my
commandments, ye shall
abide in my love; even as I
have kept my fathers
commandments, and abide in
His love. These things I have
spoken unto you, that my joy
might remain in you, and that

your joy might be full (John

15:11).
So take a moment to do a
life-check: Are you findingor
makingthe space in your life
to do things that make your
heart sing, to spend time with
people that give you life, and
to rest in and commune with
the God whose presence is
evidenced by joy?
If not, what are you going to
do about it?
By Justin Fung
*Activity: Ponder on what
brings you true joy in this
life. Write it down so that
you can read it when life
feels difficult.
*Song: Sing or listen to Joy
to the World

-December 10th-

Family
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and
mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light
gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
(Ill be home for Christmas
1943).
One of my favorite
Christmas songs is the
classic Ill be home for
Christmas, sung by Bing
Crosby in 1943. Not long
after it first aired, the song
became a favorite of both
soldiers and civilians
enduring the hardships of

World War II. The song is

sung from the point of view
of an overseas soldier during
World War II, writing a letter
to his family. In the message,
he tells the family that he
will be coming home, and to
prepare the holiday for him
including requests for
"snow", "mistletoe", and
"presents on the tree". The
song ends on a melancholy
note, with the soldier saying
"I'll be home for Christmas, if
only in my dreams." My
mother was often heard
saying home is where your
heart is; as children, we
didnt care to make sense of
my mothers many sayings,
but now I think I understand
a little more. Home is where
the things you cherish the
most areyour family.
This Christmas season, draw
your family in a little closer;
cherish your time with them
a little more. Remember
where your home is. At the
end of the Civil War, in late
1865, the country was
starting to reunite as the
horrors of war and the shock
of Lincoln's assassination
faded into memory. That
December brought the first
peacetime Christmas in five
years. Most soldiers had
been mustered out of the
military and were home to
celebrate the holiday with
their families. Of course,
many others had never
returned home. Harpers
published a poem titled "By
the Christmas Hearth" that
was more in line with the
nation's hopeful spirit of
reunification. The last stanza
especially captures the
cheerful holiday mood:

Bring holly, rich with

berries red,

And bring the sacred

mistletoe;
Fill high each glass, and
let hearts
With kindliest feelings
flow;
So sweet it seems at home
once more
To sit with those we hold
most dear,
And keep absence once
again
To keep the Merry
Christmas here.

As a babe he began to grow,

normally and naturally, and
there was nothing
supernatural about it. He
learned to crawl, to walk, to
run. He spoke his first word,
cut his first tooth, took his
first steps- the same as other
children do. He learned to
speak, he played with toys
like those of his brothers and
sistersHe went to sleep at
night and he awoke with the
morning light (Mortal
Messiah 1:368-9).

May we all be home for

Christmas, and remember
those who are not.

Thus it is important to
remember that when Christ
was born on earth he had to
learn and grow just as any
other human being. Robert
J. Matthews said:

*Activity: Organize and

carry out a special family
night to appreciate your
loved ones and enjoy each
others company.
*Song: Sing or listen to Ill
be home for Christmas

-December 11th-

Mary & Joseph

Although
the
Savior of
the
world
was the
most
magnificent
being to ever
walk the face of the Earth,
people often forget that he
was in fact a mortal man as
much as he was a God. Elder
Bruce R. McConkie reminds
us:
He was as much the product
of the mother who bare him
as were her other children.

Though Jesus was the literal

Son of God, as a young child
he needed to be taught and
cared for much like other
children. This would be
necessary because a veil was
drawn over his mind at birth,
temporarily obscuring [the]
memory of his premortal
existence. Luke speaks of
Jesus increasing in wisdom
as a youth (Luke 2:52), and
the Doctrine and Covenants
indicate that in the flesh he
received not of the fullness
at the first, but received grace
for grace. (D&C 93:12. See
also Acts 8:33.) This factor
could only make more intense
the responsibility upon Mary
and Joseph. When we
consider the strong influence
that a mother has on the
personality and attitude of a
young child in the home, we
sense the responsibility that
our Heavenly Father gave
Mary by entrusting her with
the rearing of his chosen and
Beloved Son. This would
require the adequate training
of Mary, both as a premortal

spirit and as a young woman

in mortality. Notwithstanding
her pre-earth assignment,
Mary would not have been
worthy to bear the Son of God
and give him a body of flesh
and blood unless she was
clean and pure in mortal life.
And what of Joseph? What
kind of a person would the
Father select as the husband
of Mary and the guardian
and earthly model for Jesus?
Because the father is to
teach correct principles by
precept and example and be
a counselor, we must
conclude that our Heavenly
Father made careful selection
in his choice of Joseph. That
Joseph was spiritually
sensitive and of a kindly
disposition is reflected in the
scriptural record. He was
susceptible to divine guidance
through the ministrations of
angels and by dreams (see
Matt. 1:20; Matt. 2:13, 19, 23)
In addition, we would
expect to find in Joseph
certain moral, intellectual,
and social qualities befitting
his important assignment
(Robert J. Matthews, Mary
and Joseph, Ensign,
December 1974).
Surely Mary and Joseph
were among the most valiant
and righteous spirits of our
Heavenly Father to be given
such a great and noble
responsibility. May we feel
gratitude in our hearts for
these loving parents who
raised the savior of the
world.
*Activity: Option 1: Think
about the special qualities
and abilities in your own
parents that have made you
who you are today. Option 2:
Think about the special
qualities and abilities you

would like to develop as a

potential parent one day.
*Song: Sing or listen to
Mary Did You Know?

-December 12thChildren

WATCH: KIDS AND

CHRISTMAS MORMON
MESSAGES
(http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=RM8XoT7qnxY)
Christ was born on the
earth, not only to save
mankind, but to set the
ultimate example for us. Our
definitive goal should be to
become like him. In Moroni
chapter 8, verse 17, Christ
says:
And I am filled with charity,
which is everlasting love;
wherefore, all children are
alike unto me; wherefore, I
love little children with a
perfect love; and they are all
alike and partakers of
salvation.
The Lord loves children. We
are told time and time again
that we should strive to be
like them; humble and
submissive.

When Christ was on the

earth he spoke with and
about children often. In
Jerusalem, while conversing
with his disciples
Jesus called a little child
unto him, and set him in the
midst of them, And said,
Verily I say unto you, Except
ye be converted and become
as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of
heaven. Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this
little child, the same is
greatest in the kingdom of
heaven (Matthew18:2-4).
Another time, when Christ
was teaching along the coast
of Judea, the multitudes
brought their little children
to him. They desired that
Christ should bless them.
The disciples rebuked the
people,
But Jesus said, Suffer little
children, and forbid them not
to come unto me: for of such
is the kingdom of heaven.
And he laid his hands on
them (Matthew 19:14-15).
And again when the
resurrected Jesus Christ
visited the New World he
healed and blessed the
people.
He commanded that their
little children should be
brought. So they brought their
little children and set them
round about him, and Jesus
stood in the midst; and the
multitude gave way till they

had all been brought unto

him (3 Nephi 17:11 & 12).
Once all the children had
gathered around the Savior
he commanded the
multitude to kneel. He too,
knelt then offered a prayer
unto our Heavenly Father.
When he finished he wept,
and then
He took their little children,
one by one, and blessed
them, and prayed unto the
Father for them. When he had
done this he wept again; And
he spake unto the multitude
and said unto them: Behold
your little ones (3 Nephi
17:21-23).
Angels descended from
Heaven and encircled the
little ones and taught them.
These are a few examples of
how much our Father in
Heaven and Jesus Christ
truly care for and love
children. Not only should we
strive to be like them, but we
should take time to be with
them, for they are truly
precious and we can learn
much from them. Christ took
the time to bless and be with
children while he was on the
earth. Think of how busy
Christ was, teaching,
preaching and establishing a
church. There was so much
to be done in such a short
time, and yet, He made it a
priority to be with children.
This is a reminder to all of us
of the value of children to the
world and the example they
set for us. We should strive

to change our hearts to be

like them, and in doing so we
can become more like our
savior.
King Benjamin describes
that change with a beautiful
comparison, used by
prophets for millennia and by
the Lord Himself. It is this:
that we can, and we must,
become as a childa little
child.
For some that will not be
easy to understand or to
accept. Most of us want to be
strong. We may well see
being like a child as being
weak. Most parents have
wanted their children at
times to be less childish.
Even the Apostle Paul used
these words as he was about
to urge us to incorporate
charity, the pure love of
Christ, into our lives: When I
was a child, I spake as a
child, I understood as a child,
I thought as a child: but when
I became a man, I put away
childish things.
But King Benjamin, who
understood as well as any
mortal what it meant to be a
man of strength and courage,
makes it clear that to be like
a child is not to be childish. It
is to be like the Savior, who
prayed to His Father for
strength to be able to do His
will and then did it. Our
natures must be changed to
become as a child to gain the
strength we must have to be
safe in the times of moral
peril.

Here is King Benjamins

stirring description of what
that change to become like a
child is and how it comes to
us: For the natural man is an
enemy to God, and has been
from the fall of Adam, and
will be, forever and ever,
unless he yields to the
enticings of the Holy Spirit,
and putteth off the natural
man and becometh a saint
through the atonement of
Christ the Lord, and
becometh as a child,
submissive, meek, humble,
patient, full of love, willing to
submit to all things which the
Lord seeth fit to inflict upon
him, even as a child doth
submit to his father (Mosiah
3:19). (Henry B.Eyring, As
a Child, April 2006 LDS
General Conference).
*Activity: Spend time with a
Child today and notice the
ways that child resembles
our savior Jesus Christ.
Write down how you can be
more child-like and become
like Christ in the way King
Benjamin talked about.
*Song: Sing or listen to
Away in a Manger

-December 13th-

Sacrifice
Christmas time is a perfect
opportunity for us to give of
ourselves. In todays world
many people are too focused
on me, myself and I and
are unwilling to take the time

and effort to help others.

When we sacrifice our time,
talents, and abilities to bless
the lives of others, we in turn
are greatly blessed.
Matthew 25:34
34 Then shall the King say
unto them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the
foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred,
and ye gave me meat: I was
thirsty, and ye gave me
drink: I was a stranger, and
ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed
me: I was sick, and ye visited
me: I was in prison, and ye
came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous
answer him, saying, Lord,
when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or
thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a
stranger, and took thee in? or
naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee
asick, or in prison, and came
unto thee?
40 And the King shall
answer and say unto them,
Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the beast of these
my brethren, ye have done it
unto me.
This powerful scripture
reminds us that when we
serve others, we are serving
the Lord.
Likewise, in the Book of
Mormon, King Benjamin
counsels his people in what
it means to truly be the
people of the Lord. He says
Ye will succor those that
stand in need of your succor;

ye will administer of your

substance unto him that
standeth in need; and ye will
not suffer that the beggar
putteth up his petition to you
in vain, and turn him out to
perish (Mosiah 14:16).
And finally, Moroni 7:47 says
47 But charity is the pure
love of Christ, and it endureth
forever; and whoso is found
possessed of it at the last
day, it shall be well with
him.
The following is a simple
story of sacrificing our own
desires to help others:
A Christmas Gift for
Jesus
(By Dolly Hildreth Tambuli,)
Even though Pham was
twelve years old, he was
about to celebrate his very
first Christmas.
Pham and his family had
come to the United States
during the great airlift of
refugees from Vietnam. And
although many wonderful
things had happened to
Phams family since their
arrival, the most wonderful
of all was when they had
joined The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints!
Before then, Pham had heard
about Christmas. He had not
been too sure how the
Christmas holidays would be
celebrated, but he thought
that they might be celebrated
like Tet, the Vietnamese New
Year. During Tet everyone
decorated his home with
flowers, ate delicious food,
and lit fireworks. Then, when
the missionaries came to

teach his family about the

Church, Pham learned that
Christmas is the celebration
of Jesus birth. He never
tired of hearing his teacher
at church read the
Christmas story. He
especially liked to hear about
the Wise Men who had
brought gifts to the baby
Jesus. Pham had decided
that, like the Wise Men, he
would give Jesus a gift.
On the Saturday before
Christmas, Pham held his
little sisters hand in his as
they headed for the bus stop.
He shoved his other hand
deep into his coat pocket
where his fingers found and
clutched five one-dollar bills.
He had worked very hard
shoveling snow and running
errands to earn the money,
and now he was on his way
to the department store to
buy the special Christmas
gift for Jesus.
Although the cold nipped at
Phams nose and ears as he
and Kim Li got off the bus
and started down the
sidewalk piled high on either
side with snow, his heart
was warm and he felt like
singing. Soon the singing
wouldnt stay inside, and
Phams voice rose clear and
sweet in the cold air. He
sang every Christmas carol
that he knew, and people
passing turned and smiled.
Soon Pham and Kim Li
reached the department
store. Its windows glittered
with gold and silver tinsel
and tiny star-lights that
blinked off and on. The sight
was so dazzling that Pham
and Kim Li just stood in
wonder for a moment.
Then, remembering his
important mission, Pham led
his sister into the store and
started his search for the

perfect gift for Jesus. Slowly

he went up and down the
long aisles, looking and
looking. Ties and socks and
books and shirts and jackets
were fine for his father, but
didnt seem quite right for
Jesus. Pham looked at
diamonds and watches and
golden rings, but somehow
even they would not have
been good enough, even if
Pham had the money to buy
them. Discouraged, he
wondered how the Wise Men
had been able to decide on
their gifts of gold and
frankincense and myrrh.
Pham felt a tug on his sleeve.
Looking down, he saw that
his little sister was very
tired. Gently Pham picked
her up and gave her a hug.
He carried her to the snack
bar in the store and had her
sit at a table while he went to
get some hot chocolate for
her. It cost fifty cents, but
Pham didnt think that Jesus
would mind if he spent a
little of the money on Kim Li.
After Kim Li had finished her
hot chocolate and had rested
a while, Pham decided to go
to another store. On the way
they passed a crippled man
begging on the sidewalk.
Pham had seen many people
who were hurt and crippled
during the war, and his
heart went out to the man.
Before he quite realized what
he was doing, Pham took a
dollar from his pocket and
gave it to the beggar.
When they arrived at the
second department store,
Pham again searched down
every aisle, but he still
couldnt find anything that
was just right. Then he saw
a little boy who was lost and
crying. Pham took the little
boy to a security guard who
could help find his mother.

While they were waiting,

Pham bought the boy a small
toy and told him stories.
It was getting late, and Pham
and Kim Li started home
without finding a gift for
Jesus. They stopped for a
moment to watch a fat man
with a white beard, who was
dressed in a red suit. The
jolly man was ringing a bell
above a pot that people
dropped money into. What
is it for? Pham asked. When
the man said that it was to
buy food for the poor, Pham
put two dollars into the pot.
He knew all about not having
enough food.
When Pham put his hand
back into his coat pocket, he
was shocked to discover that
he had only one dollar left.
What have I done? He
wondered. It was too late to
earn more money, and he
couldnt think of anything
that he could buy for a
dollar. Filled with
disappointment, he thought
of the Wise Men and their
handsome gifts. He had so
wanted to give Jesus a fine
gift too! How could he ever
do it now? By the time they
reached home, great tears
were sliding down Phams
cheeks.
Whats the matter? his
mother asked as she gently
held his tear-streaked face.
Pham told her about how he
had wanted to give a gift to
Jesus as the Wise Men had
and about how he had spent
nearly all his money and still
didnt have a gift.
Oh, but you do! his mother
said, a tender smile lighting
her face. You have already
given Him the only gift that
He really wantsthe love in
your heart!

It is true that I have love,

but how have I given Him
that? Pham asked, puzzled.
Dont you see? his mother
said gently. You have given
love today to Kim Li, to the
crippled man, to the little
boy, to the poor for food. Oh,
Pham, you have given richly!
Dont you remember that
Jesus said, Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren,
ye have done it unto me
(Matt. 25:10)? Pham, you
have given Jesus the finest
gift of all!
Phams eyes began to shine
with joy. He took the
remaining dollar from his
pocket. I will give this to the
bishop, he said. Maybe it
will help a missionary teach
others about Jesus and the
gospel.
*Activity: We often find time
to serve those outside of our
family but forget to serve
those who are closest to us.
Secretly serve a member of
your family today.
*Song: Sing or listen to The
Holly and the Ivy

-December 14th-

The Condescension
of God

What does the

condescension of God really
mean?

Dictionary.coms definition of
condescend reads:
(verb) to put aside one's
dignity or superiority
voluntarily and assume
equality with one regarded as
inferior:
Additionally, the World
English Dictionarys
definition says:
(verb) to act graciously
towards another or others
regarded as being on a lower
level.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie
gives his thoughts about the
subject saying:
Here we have a glorious
thing. Here we have exalted,
noble beings on a plane and
status so far above our
present circumstance that we
have no way of
comprehending their
dominion and glory, and we
have one of them, God our
Eternal Father, through the
condescension and infinite
love and mercy that he has
for us, stepping down from
his noble status and
becoming the Father of a Son
after the manner of the flesh.
We have that Son being born,
that Son who was his
firstborn in the spirit, who
had like power and
omnipotence with the Father.
We have each of them
performing a work that there
is no way for us to
understand as far as
magnitude and glory and
importance is concerned
(Behold the Condescension
of God New Era December
1984).
David L. Frischknecht
explains:

Jesus Christ descended

below all things that we
might receive hope and joy in
this life and exaltation in the
next.
The condescension of the
Lord Jesus Christ generally
refers to His leaving His high
and holy station in heaven
and coming to live as a man
on earth to accomplish the
Atonement and Resurrection.
Jesus came to live where
mankind lives and as
mankind lives so He could
raise mankind to live where
the Father lives and as the
Father lives. Because He
descended to earth to lift us
to heaven, each one of us can
have the perfect brightness
of hope (2 Nephi 31:20) of
progressing into the kingdom
and presence of God.
President John Taylor
(180887) said of the
condescension of Christ, It
was further necessary that
He should descend below all
things, in order that He might
raise others above all things;
for if He could not raise
Himself and be exalted
through those principles
brought about by the
atonement, He could not raise
others; He could not do for
others what He could not do
for Himself (David L.
Frischknecht, Ensign,
December 2011).
Tying the condescension of
God to the Christmas
season, President Dieter F.
Uchtdorf said:

In our modern world, we

often think of giving and
receiving gifts when we think
of ChristmasAlthough this
can be part of a cherished
tradition it can also detract
from the simple dignity of the
season and distract us from
celebrating the birth of our
Savior in a meaningful way
It doesnt take expensive gifts
to make Christmas
meaningful think of the
simple yet dignified way our
Heavenly Father chose to
honor the birth of His Son. On
that holy night, angels
appeared not to the rich, but
to the shepherds. The Christ
child was born not in a
mansion, but in a manger.
The child was wrapped not in
silk, but in swaddling
clothes The simplicity of
that first Christmas
foreshadowed the life of the
Savior. Though He had
created the earth, though He
had walked in realms of
majesty and glory, though He
had stood at the right hand of
the Father, He came to this
earth as a helpless child. His
life was a model of modest
nobility. He had no place to
lay His head, and He walked
ever among the poor, the sick,
the downcast and the heavy
laden" (First Presidency
Christmas Devotional 2009).
*Activity: Think of
something you can do to
make your Christmas more
Christ centered this year.
*Song: Sing or listen to
What Child is This?

to him. Elder David E.

Sorensen said:

-December 15th-

Forgiveness

I, the Lord, will forgive whom

I will forgive, but of you it is
required to forgive all men.
(Doctrine and Covenants
64:10)
Jesus Christ forgave those
who mocked him, spit on
him, betrayed him, rejected
him, abused him, and even
those who killed him. Of
those who hung him upon
the cross He said in His last
Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do
(Luke 23:34).
He set a perfect example of
forgiveness. Although we
may feel as if we have been
horribly wronged by someone
we think deserves no
forgiveness, holding such a
grudge in our hearts will
destroy us. We should be
grateful for a Savior who has
a perfect knowledge of all of
our hearts and can
righteously judge those who
have wronged us. We should
be grateful that he has lifted
such a burden from us,
releasing us from further
sorrow and pain. However,
the key to our freedom is to
forgive and move on. We
must hand the problem over

"Forgiveness means that

problems of the past no
longer dictate our destinies,
and we can focus on the
future with God's love in our
hearts."
At Christmastime we seek for
forgiveness more, I think,
than at any other point in
the year. It is a time when
charity reigns, when hearts
are softenedeven just for a
dayand when people wish
to forgive, and be forgiven of,
old wrongs so that all might
draw closer together. The
author Robert Louis
Stevenson stated it best
when he wrote what came to
be known as The Christmas
Eve Prayer:
Loving Father, Help us
remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the
song of the angels, the
gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and
open the door of love all over
the world. Let kindness come
with every gift and good
desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the
blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with
clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy
children, and Christmas
evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for
Jesus' sake. Amen.
Another author, George
McDougall, stated:

Best of all, Christmas means

a spirit of love, a time when
the love of God and love of
our fellow men should prevail
over all hatred and
bitterness, a time when our
thoughts and deeds and the
spirit of our lives manifest the
presence of God.
May all of our thoughts be
turned towards forgiveness
this Christmas season, and
may we be willing to both
ask it, and give it.
*Activity: Pray for the help
of the atonement to forgive
someone who you have had
trouble forgiving.
*Song: Sing or listen to Oh
Come All Ye Faithful

-December 16th-

Helping Those in
Need
It is well to remember that
he who gives money gives
much, he who gives time
gives more, but he who gives
of himself gives all. Let this
be a description of our
Christmas gifts
(Thomas S. Monson The Gifts
of Christmas December
2003).
As we reflect on this
Christmas season and on the
things that we have and are
grateful for, let us remember
that there are many who are
not as fortunate. Many
people in the world are in
need of heartfelt service,
friendship, and love. Henry
B. Erying has said:

Our Heavenly Father hears

the prayers of His children
across the earth pleading for
food to eat, for clothes to
cover their bodies, and for the
dignity that would come from
being able to provide for
themselves. Those pleas have
reached Him since He placed
men and women on the earth.
You learn of those needs
where you live and from
across the world. Your heart
is often stirred with feelings
of sympathy. When you meet
someone struggling to find
employment, you feel that
desire to help. You feel it
when you go into the home of
a widow and see that she
has no food. You feel it when
you see photographs of crying
children sitting in the ruins of
their home destroyed by an
earthquake or by fire (Henry
B Erying. Opportunites to do
Good. General Conference,
April 2011).

We can be a helping hand to

those who need it. We can
brighten someones day with
a simple phone call, a hello,
a smile, or anything else that
they may need. We must
remember that the Lord has
blessed us with talents so
that we can serve others. We
can be an answer to the
prayers of the needy, as we
actively look for
opportunities to serve them.

Let us follow the counsel the

Lord has given us this
Christmas season in helping
those in need. In Matthew
(19:21) Christ says If thou
wilt be perfect, go and sell
that thou hast, and give to
the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven: and
come and follow me.

Who Needs Christmas?

In a crowded department
store one December
afternoon, I watched a
salesclerk become frustrated
as customers besieged her
with requests. Finally she
turned with a gasp of
irritation and said,
Christmas! Who needs it?
While we enjoy Christmas in
the warmth of our families,
we should remember that
many are not so fortunate.
Homeless men and women
walk the streets of our
cities, far from family ties.
Someone we know has lost a
loved one to death this year.
Another cannot afford the
travel expense to join his
family. Some are too ill to
take part in the festivities.
For these people, Christmas
is not always a season to be
jolly. It can be a time of
depression and loneliness.
Surely these people have a
right to ask, along with that
frustrated salesclerk, Who
needs Christmas?
We all have complaints about
Christmasthe hustle and
bustle, the added expense (a
special burden for many who
dont even have a job), the
commercialization. Besides,

many Christmas traditions

have their roots in pagan
customs, and Jesus really
wasnt born in December
anyway.
So who needs Christmas?
We do! All of us! Because
Christmas can bring us closer
to the Savior, and he is the
only source of lasting joy.
We need Christmas because
every December millions of
people open the Bible to
Lukes account of one of the
greatest events in history,
and we hear again what the
shepherds heard:

For unto you is born this day

in the City of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord (Luke 2:11).
The world was never the
same again after the angel
spoke those words.
We need Christmas because
it helps us to be better
people, not only in December
but in January, June, and
November
And what about those who
are lonely or lost, for whom
Christmas is a burden? Why
do they need Christmas?
Because, hopefully, we will
reach out to them at this
season and help to heal their
wounds. Perhaps the
greatest challenge and
opportunity we face at
Christmastime is to make
Christmas real to people
such as these.
I firmly believe that the only
way to make Christmas real is
to imitate the Master. We

need to form living links with

people everywhere whose
loneliness needs brothering
or sistering, whose hurts,
physical and emotional, need
healing, whose poverty cries
out for bread and
understanding. Jesus spent
his life rescuing us all from
ourselves. Shouldnt we
rescue others from loneliness
and discouragement?
(Hugh W. Pinnock, Who
Needs Christmas? New Era,
Dec 1987).

10 And the angel said unto

them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of
great joy, which shall be to all
people.

*Activity: Identify someone

in your life who could benefit
from your loving kindness
and find a way to help
lighten their burdens this
week.

13 And suddenly there was

with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host praising
God, and saying,

*Song: Sing or listen to

Once in Royal Davids City

14 Glory to God in the

highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men.

-December 17th-

Angels

8 And there were in the

same country shepherds
abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by
night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the
Lord came upon them, and
the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they
were sore afraid.

11 For unto you is born this

day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign
unto you; Ye shall find the
babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.

The Christmas story is

incomplete without mention
of the angels that heralded
the Christ Childs birth. On
the night of his birth they
sang songs of praise to
welcome him into the world
Today at Christmas time
they stand as a symbol to
help us remember the true
meaning of that first
Christmas night.
The Bible Dictionary defines
angel as a messenger of the
Lord. By definition then, the
term angel is not restricted
to heavenly beings, but can
be found on earth today. The
angels of the New Testament
prepared the people on earth
for the birth of savior of the
world. Today, we can be
angels to those around us by

proclaiming His second

coming.
Angels come in all forms. The
following story helps us to
understand one role of
angels in our own lives:
Jordans Christmas Babies
Jordan was a six year old
boy. He was very excited for
Christmas. All he could
think about was what Santa
was going to bring him on
Christmas morning.
This year, Christmas was on
Sunday. While he was at
church he learned something
he had never heard before!
He learned that Christmas
was not about present s or
gifts, it was about Jesus.
Christmas is really about the
celebration of Jesus birth.
Heavenly Father gave us the
gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
And Jesus Christ gave us the
gift of the Atonement.
When he came home from
church he felt the spirit and
was happy to learn about the
real meaning of Christmas.
Later, he forgot the real
meaning of Christmas
because he was only
thinking about his presents.
Then two angels appeared,
one boy and one girl, and
they reminded him about the
true meaning of Christmas.
He asked them who they
were and they told him that
they were spirits who had
not been born yet to this
world, but were sent to help
children learn and to help
remind them that Christmas
is really about Jesus birth.

All year Jordan had tried to

remember to be a good boy,
but when Christmas came
around again, all he could
think about were the toys
that he was going to get.
Then those familiar angels
appeared to him again. They
were gently reminding him
that Christmas was about
Jesus gift to us and that we
can help Jesus by giving to
others.
Every year from then on,
even when Jordan was an
adult, those same two angels
came whenever he forgot the
true meaning of Christmas.
One year, Jordan and his
wife were blessed with a
special Christmas gift.
Jordans wife gave birth to
twins, a boy and a girl, on
Christmas Day. Jordan felt
their spirits and they were so
familiar to him. It was then
that he realized that they
were those special angels
that reminded him what
Christmas was really all
about. He always
remembered their message
because they were a part of
his life everyday as a
reminder of Heavenly
Fathers love for us.
By Cameron Eggleston-Age 8
*Activity: Place an angel
decoration in your home as a
reminder that Christmas is
about Christ bringing peace
and Joy into our lives.
*Song: Sing or listen to
Angels We Have Heard on
High

him and would not follow a

stranger. Thus, when called,
the sheep would come to him
(John 10:14-16).

-December 18th-

Shepherds

The Importance of
Shepherds
I am the good shepherd,
and know my sheep, and
am known of mine. As the
Father knoweth me, even
so know I the Father: and
I lay down my life for the
sheep. And other sheep I
have, which are not of this
fold: them also I must
bring, and they shall hear
my voice; and there shall
be one fold, and one
shepherd (John 10:14-16).
We can look to the
shepherds from the Old
Testament for an example of
how we can be shepherds
today.
In Jesus time, the
Palestinian shepherd was
noted for his protection of his
sheep. Unlike modern
sheepherders, the shepherd
always walked ahead of his
flock. He led them. The
shepherd knew each of the
sheep and usually had a
name for each. The sheep
knew his voice and trusted

The true shepherd was

willing to give his life for the
sheep. He would go in
amongst the sheep and fight
for their welfare (Ezra T.
Benson, Conference Report,
Apr. 1983, 6).
Unlike a sheepherder who
herds his flock with dogs, a
shepherd leads his flock He
is full of love and His sheep
know his voice. They trust
him completely. He cares
about each sheep
individually.
Our Savior was known as
The Good Shepherd or the
greatest of all the shepherds.
There is so much that we
can do to emulate His
example of caring for others.
Sometimes being a shepherd
can mean going after those
who are lost and providing
for their needs or it can be as
simple as comforting
someone who is lonely this
holiday season.
It could have been a lonely
time for Mary, Joseph, and
the Child, away from home
and family. Although they
had each other, it wasnt
particularly a favorable place
for the bringing forth of a
firstborn sonoff in
Bethlehem, paying taxes, and
with no room at the inn.
And so the Father sent
shepherdshe called on
humble, earthbound workers
to add celebration to the birth
of his son. They were the
ones who heard good tidings
of great joy, that saw this
thing which is come to pass,

and that made known

abroad the saying which was
told them [Luke 2:10, 15, 17].
Christmas still needs
shepherds. Some people need
to have shepherds; all of us
need to be shepherds
people sharing the joy of our
Saviors birth with each
other [Shepherds} include
anyone caught up in the
Christmas spirit who says,
Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem. [Luke 2:15]
(Marra Hyde, Ensign, Dec
1974 ).
Take time to look around you
and find those in need of
your watch care, protection
and guidance this season.
Just as the father sent
shepherds to Joseph and
Mary on the night of Christs
birth, Heavenly father can
send us to those in need if
we look outside of ourselves
and pay attention to the lives
around us. Let us be
obedient as the shepherds of
old when they said Let us
now go even unto
Bethlehem (Luke 2:15.) So
let us go now and be
shepherds even unto the
people that need us.
*Activity: Find the link
between shepherds and
candy canes. Teach someone
else how this Christmas
symbol is symbolic of our
Savior.
*Song: Sing or listen to The
first Noel

-December 19th-

Wisemen

The following is an article

from the December 2009
New Era magazine titled
We Three Kings by
Wendy Kenney.

the Wise Men may be based

more on myth and
speculation than on history.

The Wise Men are a

prominent part of a
traditional nativity scene,
but what do we really know
about them?

How Many Wise Men?

Have you ever looked closely

at a nativity display and
wondered about the three
elaborately dressed men
delivering gifts to the infant
Jesus? We know, of course,
that they represent the three
Wise Men, but just who were
they? Why were they visiting
Jesus, and why were they
bringing Him such unusual
gifts?
The scriptural account of
the Saviors birth actually
reveals little about the Wise
Men (Matthew 2). But
because their visit was so
significant, scholars
throughout the centuries
have attempted to discover
information about their
background and purpose in
visiting the Christ child.
Though some details have
emerged through scholarly
investigation, much of what
the Christian world has
traditionally believed about

This is what we know:

Tradition holds that there

were three men who visited
the Christ child, a belief that
comes from the fact that
there were three gifts given:
gold, frankincense, and
myrrh. Presumably, each
man brought one gift. Some
scholars, however, believe
there could have been many
more Wise Men, perhaps as
many as 12. The Bible
Dictionary indicates that
since the Wise Men were
essentially witnesses of the
Saviors birth, there would
have been at least two or
three (see Deuteronomy
19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1;
D&C 6:28).
The belief that the Wise Men
were kings comes from
passages in the Old
Testament that foretell of
kings visiting the Lord.
Isaiah 49:7 says, Kings
shall see and arise, and
Isaiah 60:10 records, Their
kings shall minister unto
thee (See also Psalm 72:10).
Scholars have found other
records that refer to the Wise
Men as kings. The 13thcentury writings of Marco
Polo contain a report from
the town of Saba in Persia
about three kings who took
gold, frankincense, and
myrrh with them on a
journey to visit a newborn
prophet. According to Marco
Polos record, the men were
named Gaspar, Melchior,
and Balthasar, the names

usually associated with the

Wise Men today.

one knew for sure where the

Wise Men came from.

Origin of the Term Wise

Men

Some scholars cite Psalm

72:10 as evidence that the
men were from regions in
present-day Spain, Ethiopia,
and Saudi Arabia: The kings
of Tarshish and of the isles
shall bring presents: the
kings of Sheba and Seba
shall offer gifts. Others
believe the Wise Men were
from Persia (modern-day
Iran) and may have been
Jewish, since there were
many people of Jewish
descent living in that region
at the time.

The term Wise Men, as used

in the King James Version of
the Bible, is translated from
the Greek word magoi.
Magoi, usually rendered as
magi in English, is actually
Persian in origin and refers
to priests in Persias ancient
religion. Given this use of the
word magi, some scholars
think the Wise Men were
likely priests in a Persian
religious sect. However,
Elder Bruce R. McConkie
(191585) of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles stated in
his Doctrinal New Testament
Commentary: To suppose
they were members of the
apostate religious cult of the
Magi of ancient Media and
Persia is probably false.
Rather, it would appear they
were true prophets,
righteous persons like
Simeon, Anna, and the
shepherds, to whom Deity
revealed that the promised
Messiah had been born
among men.
Of the Orient?
Were the Wise Men from the
Orient, as the Christmas
carol We Three Kings of
Orient Are claims? 5 The
author of the song likely
used the term Orient to
replace the common word
east used in Matthews
account. Anything east of
Palestine was somewhat
exotically referred to as the
Orient. Matthews use of the
generic locality the east
could simply indicate that no

When Did the Wise Men

Visit Jesus?
Artistic renderings of the
Nativity typically depict the
Wise Men worshipping a
newborn, as if their visit
occurred shortly after the
Saviors birth. The
scriptures, however, reveal
that the Wise Men were not
present at Jesuss birth in
the stable or anytime during
His infancy. The Wise Men
actually visited the child
Jesus with His mother,
Mary. When they were come
into the house, they saw the
young child with Mary his
mother, and fell down, and
worshipped him: and
presented unto him gifts;
gold, and frankincense, and
myrrh (Matthew 2:11).
The Wise Mens Gifts
Why did the Wise Men bring
Jesus such rare gifts? Most
scholars agree that the gifts
were symbolic. The gold
symbolized Jesuss kingship,
frankincense His divinity,
and myrrh His suffering and

death, since myrrh was a

substance used to perfume
dead bodies before burial.
Warned of God
When Herod directed the
Wise Men to Bethlehem, he
told them, When ye have
found him, bring me word
again, that I may come and
worship him also (Matthew
2:8). However, according to
Matthews account, the Wise
Men were warned of God in
a dream that they should not
return to Herod, so, after
visiting the Christ child, the
Wise Men bypassed Herod
and departed into their own
country another way
(Matthew 2:12). Herod was
furious, not only because the
Wise Men had ignored his
order but also because there
was apparently now a child
residing in Bethlehem who
would one day rule the
nation.
On the Lords Errand
The Bible Dictionary
effectively summarizes our
beliefs about the Wise Men:
They were righteous men
sent on an errand to witness
the presence of the Son of
God on the earth. It seems
likely that they were
representatives of a branch
of the Lords people
somewhere from east of
Palestine, who had come, led
by the Spirit, to behold the
Son of God, and who
returned to their people to
bear witness that the King
Immanuel had indeed been
born in the flesh.
Gifts of the Heart

When we find him, will we

be prepared as were the wise
men of old to provide gifts
from our many treasures?
They presented gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.
These are not the gifts Jesus
asks of us. From the
treasure of our hearts Jesus
asks that we give of
ourselves: Behold, the Lord
requireth the heart and a
willing mind (D&C 64:34)
(President Thomas S.
Monson, The Search for
Jesus, Ensign, Dec. 1990,
5).
*Activity: Think about what
you can give to Jesus for His
birthday this year.
*Song: Sing or listen to
With Wondering Awe

-December 20th-

Peace

strong and mocks the song

of peace on earth, good will
to men". The carol concludes
with the bells carrying
renewed hope for peace
among mankind.
I heard the bells on
Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will
to men!
And thought how, as the day
had come,
The belfries of all
Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will
to men!
Till ringing, singing on its
way,
The world revolved from night
to dayl,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will
to men!
And in despair I bowed my
head;
There is no peace on earth,
I said;
For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will
to men!

Glory to God, and peace on

earth good will towards men.
Luke 2:14
The familiar song "I Heard
the Bells on Christmas Day"
is a Christmas carol based
on the 1863 poem
"Christmas Bells" by
American poet Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow. The
song tells of the narrator's
despair, upon hearing
Christmas bells, that "hate is

Then pealed the bells more

loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He
sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, goodwill to men.
William Gladstone described
the formula for peace when
he declared: We look
forward to the time when the

power of love will replace the

love of power. Then will our
world know the blessings of
peace.
In a world so lost, it is hard
to know what peace is. But
this we do know. That lasting
peace can be found through
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas is meant to
remind us of that principal.
Thomas S. Monson reminds
us :
The darkness of death can
ever be dispelled by the light
of revealed truth. I am the
resurrection, and the life,
spoke the Master. He that
believeth in me, though he
were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never
die. Added to His own words
are those of the angel,
spoken to the weeping Mary
Magdalene and the other
Mary as they approached the
tomb to care for the body of
their Lord: Why seek ye the
living among the dead? He is
not here, but is risen. Such is
our message. He lives! And
because He lives all shall
indeed live again. This
knowledge provides the
peace for loved ones of those
whose graves are hallowed
resting places in Flanders
fields, where the poppies
blow in springtime, and for
those who rest in countless
other locations, including the
depths of the sea. Oh, sweet
the joy this sentence gives: I
know that my Redeemer
lives! (Thomas S. Monson,

Finding Peace, Ensign,

March 2004).
Satan would have us forget
that Our Father in Heaven
wants each of us to enjoy
peace and happiness in
mortal life. Our Master, Jesus
Christ, and His prophets have
taught how to have that
peace and happiness, even in
a world that is ever more
challenging, with increasing
conflict and an intense
concentration of alluring
temptations (Richard G.
Scott).
*Activity: Tonight, take time
to step outside and look at
the stars. Ponder and the
magnificence and enormity
of the universe and how God
has created so much. He as
such a grand plan for all his
creations! Allow yourself to
feel the peace that comes
from knowing that we are
not alone and that there is a
Savior provided for us to
follow and lead us back
home.
*Song: Sing or listen to I
Heard the Bells on
Christmas Day

-December 21th-

~Love~

President David O. McKay

(18731970) declared: True
happiness comes only by
making others happythe
practical application of the
Saviors doctrine of losing
ones life to gain it. In short,
the Christmas spirit is the

Christ spirit that makes our

hearts glow in brotherly love
and friendship and prompts
us to kind deeds of service.
Christ loves all of us
perfectly. He suffered for
every human beings pains,
sicknesses and sins and
then died so that each of us
could live again. Surely we
can love our fellow men.

Several years ago some of

the General Authorities were
hurrying to leave the building
during the Christmas hustle
and bustle time. As we drove
home, I noticed Elder Bruce
R. McConkie leaving at the
same time. It was several
weeks later that I learned
that instead of going home as
most of the rest of us had
done, he had gone to the LDS
Hospital and there had gone
from room to room blessing
people, holding their hands,
telling them that the Savior
and others loved them. And
so during that precious time
when the rest of us felt we
needed to be home, he took a
few minutes to bring light into
those peoples lives.
Elder McConkie understood
something it takes many of
us years to learnthat a
simple expression of love can
heal and bless the lives of
others. So often we are not
skilled in expressing love.
Satan does not approve of the
kind of openness that it takes
to say I love you because it
brings happiness to both the
giver and the receiverYou
can give a wonderful
Christmas present just by
telling someone you care.
Of course, the power to bless
others is not in Christmas,
but in doing what Christ
would have us do. Christmas

can focus our minds on the

Saviors mission, however,
and help us discover ways in
which we can be of use to
him. Let us invite him into our
lives. (Hugh W. Pinnock,
Who Needs Christmas?,
New Era, Dec 1987).
There is an important
principle in the Golden Rule:
Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you. How
can we expect love from
anyone, let alone from our
Savior, if we do not learn love
others?

THE CHRISTMAS
ORANGE
Id like to tell
you a story
my
grandmother
told me when
I was six or
seven years
old. We had gone to her
home for Thanksgiving
dinner and the drive was
rather a long one. I had filled
the time with making a list of
all the things that I wanted
for Christmas that year.
Later that evening after I was
ready for bed, I showed the
list to my grandmother. After
she read it, she said, My
goodness that really is a long
list! Then she picked me up
and set me on her lap in the
big rocking chair and told me
this story:
Once there was a little girl
who came to live in an
orphanage in Denmark.
(Now my grandmother was
from Denmark, so this story
might even be true.) As
Christmas time grew near,
all of the other children

began telling the little girl

about the beautiful
Christmas tree that would
appear in the huge
downstairs hall on
Christmas morning. After
their usual, very plain
breakfast, each child would
be given their one and only
Christmas gift: small, single
orange.
At this point I looked up at
my grandmother in disbelief,
but she assured me that was
all each child would receive
for Christmas.
Now the headmaster of the
orphanage was very stern
and he thought Christmas to
be a bother. So on Christmas
Eve, when he caught the
little girl creeping down the
stairs to catch a peek at the
much-heard-of Christmas
tree, he sharply declared
that the little girl would not
receive her Christmas orange
because she had been so
curious as to disobey the
rules. The little girl ran back
to her room broken-hearted
and crying at her terrible
fate.
The next morning as the
other children were going
down to breakfast, the little
girl stayed in her bed. She
couldnt stand the thought of
seeing the others receive
their gift when there would
be none for her.
Later, as the children came
back upstairs, the little girl
was surprised to be handed
a napkin. As she carefully
opened it, there to her
disbelief was an orange all
peeled and sectioned.

How could this be? she

asked.
It was then that she found
how each child had taken
one section from their orange
and given it to her so that
she, too, would have a
Christmas orange.
How I loved this story! I
would ask my grandmother
to tell it to me over and over
as I grew up. Every
Christmas, as I pull a big,
juicy orange from my
stocking, I think of this
story. What an example of
the true meaning of
Christmas those orphan
children displayed that
Christmas morning. How I
wish the world, as a whole
would display that same
kind of concern for others,
not just at Christmas, but
throughout the year."
~Author Unknown
(Note: This is one retelling of
the many versions of the
story.)
May we follow the example of
our savior and place others
before ourselves. May we
learn to love others as Jesus
did.
*Activity: Tell someone you
love them today. And then
read The Gift of the Magi
By O Henry (can be found
online).
*Song: Sing or listen to Far,
Far Away on Judeas Plains

-December 22th-

Hope

Hope is like the sun, which,

as we journey towards it,
casts the shadow of our
burden behind us Hope
sweetens the memory of
experiences well loved. It
tempers our troubles to our
growth and our strength. It
befriends us in dark hours,
excites us in bright ones. It
lends promise to the future
and purpose to the past. It
turns discouragement to
determination.
Samuel Smiles

Hope is an important part of

the Christmas season. Not
only can our own hope
become bright and renewed,
but if we are willing, we can
give the same to those
around us. The book True to
the Faith (pp.8586)
discusses the meaning of
hope and the difference
between hope of the world
and hope of the gospel. It
states that the word hope is
sometimes misunderstood.
In our everyday language,
the word often has a hint of
uncertainty. For example, we
may say that we hope for a
change in the weather or a
visit from a friend. In the
language of the gospel,
however, the word hope is
sure, unwavering, and
active. Prophets speak of
having a "firm hope" (Alma

34:41) and a "lively hope." (1

Peter 1:3)

of Good things to
Come, October 1999).

Elder Russel M. Ballard

asked:

*Activity: Share the

message of Hope in the
Savior Jesus Christ with
someone today.

"But where do we find hope

in the midst of such turmoil
and catastrophe? Quite
simply, our one hope for
spiritual safety during these
turbulent times is to turn our
minds and our hearts to
Jesus Christ." He adds that
"The Lord is in control. He
knows the end from the
beginning. He has given us
adequate instruction that, if
followed, will see us safely
through any crisis. His
purposes will be fulfilled, and
someday we will understand
the eternal reasons for all of
these events. Therefore,
today we must be careful not
to overreact, nor should we
be caught up in extreme
preparations; but what we
must do is keep the
commandments of God and
never lose hope!" (The Joy of
Hope Fulfilled, October 1992).
Jeffrey R. Holland Reminds
never to give up:

Don't you quit. You

keep walking, you keep
trying, there is help and
happiness ahead. Some
blessings come soon.
Some come late. Some
don't come until
heaven. But for those
who embrace Jesus
Christ, they come. It will
be alright in the end.
Trust God and believe
in Good Things to
Come (An High Priest

*Song: Sing or listen to Oh

Christmas Tree

-December 23th-

Gifts

Dear Boys and Girls,

Christmastime is a glorious
season of love. Caroling
voices sing sweet songs of
that first Christmas long ago
when heavenly voices were
heard praising God and
saying, Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men (Luke
2:14). In many homes
evergreen trees glow with
lights and ornaments.
Wreaths and bells are hung
and fragrant candles are
lighted. These and other
traditions help to remind us
of the birth of Jesus on that
holy night so many years
ago. Some of us also send
Christmas cards to friends
and relatives, remembering
happy thoughts of times
past. As the wise men
opened their treasures and
presented to the baby Jesus
gifts of gold and
frankincense and myrrh, we

also present gifts to our

loved ones and friends.
This Christmas let us try to
follow the example of the
Savior who gave us His gift of
life. He was always giving
gifts and seldom receiving
them. He did not give shoes
or stockings or toys. He did
not give perfume or shirts or
ties. Instead, His gifts were
truly rare. He gave sight to
the blind, hearing to the
deaf, and health to the sick.
When His friends gave Him
shelter and food and love, He
in return gave HimselfHis
love, His service, and His life!
And Jesus gave to everyone
the gift of the resurrection
and eternal life. Let us follow
His example by giving love
unselfishly to others.
Christmas can be a glorious
time, especially if we
remember throughout the
year to be friends to others
and if we are anxious to
bring joy and happiness to
everyone we know. Each one
of us can help make the
Christmas season a joyous
one by visiting the sick,
sharing with the poor,
cheering the lonely, and, like
our Master, giving more of
ourselves as well as our
possessions.
The greatest Christmas gift
of all time was the gift our
Heavenly Father gave to us
on the very first Christmas
the gift of the birth of His
Son. The apostle John has
written:
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 (John 3:16).

At this wondrous
Christmastime may we
express to children
throughout the world our
best wishes for a happy
Christmas and a blessed new
year, remembering that He
whose birthday we celebrate
was the Son of God and the
Redeemer of the world.
With Love,
Spencer W. Kimball
N. Eldon Tanner
M. G. Romney
(The First Presidency of the
Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints)

Christmas means giving

and the gift without the
giver is bare. Giving of
self; giving of substance;
giving of heart and mind
and strength in assisting
those in need and in
spreading the cause of His
eternal truththese are of
the very essence of the
true spirit of Christmas.
(Gordon B. Hinckley What
Shall I Do Then with Jesus
Which is Called Christ?
Ensign December 1983)
*Activity: Find a gift to give
this season that cannot be
wrapped in paper and bows.
Find a way to give of
yourself!
*Song: Sing or listen The
Little Drummer Boy

-December 24th-

Too Busy

How quickly the innkeeper

passed up the marvelous
opportunity to witness the
birth of the savior of the
world. Of course he had no
idea who he was turning
away. But isnt that the
point? If our own homes are
so busy with the hustle and
bustle of the Christmas
season and we do not take
the time to reflect on why
Christmas is truly important,
we will just as easily miss
him who is most important
in our lives. Thomas S.
Monson said

Some homes today

have rooms for eating,
rooms for sleeping, play
rooms, sewing rooms,
television rooms, but no
room for Christ. (News
of the Church, Ensign,
Feb 2009, 7480)
The innkeeper did not have
room for Christ; however, he
was not the only person to
ever turn the savior away.
Many of Christs own people
have rejected him over and
over again. If only those
people would have taken a
few minutes of their time to
reflect on the miracles that
were before them. If only
they had stopped to listen to
the spirit whisper the truth
about the importance of
THIS man. If only they could

have considered how much

they needed a Savior.
Perhaps then they would
have made room for Jesus
Christ in their lives. We must
ask ourselves Do we make
these same careless
mistakes in our own lives?
Do we have room in our lives
for the Savior of the World
who suffered all things for
us? As we enjoy the rest of
this Christmas season and
as we work to remember
Christ throughout the year,
let us uphold the true
meaning of Christmas in our
lives and make room for
Christ in our hearts.
*Activity: Decide how you
will make room for Christ in
your life, not just for the
remainder of the Christmas
season, but all year long!
*Song: Sing or listen to
Dont Save It All for
Christmas day

-December 25th-

Healing

Read: Mosiah 14:4-5

One night a man had a
dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the
beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed
scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed
two sets of
footprints in the sand: one
belonging
to him, and the other to the
LORD.

When the last scene of his

life flashed before him,
he looked back at the
footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times
along the path of
his life there was only one
set of footprints.

He also noticed that it

happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in
his life.
This really bothered him and
he
questioned the LORD about
it:
"LORD, you said that once I
decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all
the way.
But I have noticed that
during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of
footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would
leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never
leave you.
During your times of trial
and suffering,
when you see only one set of
footprints,
it was then that I carried
you.
-Mary Stevenson
Human beings suffer. It is a
natural part of earth life. It is
through trial and hardship
that we grow. All people will
suffer heart ache and
physical pain. All people will

suffer sorrow for their sins.

Thomas S. Monson said
Were we to remain
unrescued, lost would be
paradise sought. Lost would
be family loved. Lost would
be friends remembered.
Realizing this truth, we begin
to appreciate the supreme joy
which accompanied the birth
of the Savior of the world.
How glorious the
pronouncement of the angel:
Behold, a virgin shall bring
forth a son, and thou shalt
call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from
their sins (Matt. 1:21)
Ensign, June 1971).
As Christ suffered for our
sins he also suffered for our
pains. In doing so he made it
possible for us to be whole
again no matter the trial or
infirmity. Healing is
impossible for the natural
man to do alone. But that is
why the atonement is so
valuable to all of mankind.
Christ, being the only perfect
man to walk the earth,
sacrificed himself to carry all
of our burdens. He promises
all of us that if we are doing
everything we can to repent
of our sins and seek
forgiveness and if we are
seeking the healing power of
His atonement daily, he will
help us to heal in the way
that we cannot do our selves.
If we turn to him as we
experience every burden He
will carry us through to the
end. He is only one who we
find the fullness of healing.
With His stripes we are
healed. As he heals us of
our infirmities and makes us
clean of our sins we will be
able to one day enter the
presence of our Father in
Heaven again.

This Christmas, let us

remember where true healing
comes from and turn to the
only one who can carry us
through.
A Legend: -Author
Unknown
Theres a beautiful legend
thats never been told
It may have been known to
the wise men of oldHow three little children
came early at dawn,
With hearts that were sad, to
where Jesus was born.
One could not see, one was
too lame to play;
While the other, a mute, not
a word could he say.
Yet led by His star, they
came there to peep
At the little Lord Jesus, with
eyes closed in sleep.
But how could the Christ
child, so lovely and fair,
Not waken and smile when
He heard their glad prayer,
Of hope at His coming, of
faith in His birth,
Of praise at His bringing
Gods peace to the earth.
And then as the light softly
came through the door,
The lad that was lame stood
upright once more;
The boy that was mute
started sweetly to sing,
While the child that was
blind looked with joy on the
King!
By Charles W.H. Bancroft
*Activity: Read the first
Christmas Story found in
Luke 2:1-20
*Song: Sing or listen God
Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!