Christmas Eve FHE
Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “Born Again,” by D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, May 2008, 76–79.
Thought:
About a century before the birth of Christ, King Benjamin taught his people of the Savior’s advent and Atonement. The Spirit of the Lord wrought such a mighty change in the people that they had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually”.
(D. Todd Christofferson, “Born Again,” Ensign, May 2008, 76–79.)
Song:
“He Sent His Son” Children’s Songbook, p. 34.
Scripture: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.(Luke 2:11)
Lesson:
Place a picture of Christ’s birth in a plastic sheet protector.
Cut a sheet of paper into five strips.
Label each strip as follows:
1. Son of God, 2. Creator, 3. Savior, 4. Example, 5. Friend. Tape these strips over the picture of Christ’s birth.
Write the following verses on small pieces of paper and place them in a bowl or basket.
1. “Behold I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (D&C 6:21)
2. “I have made the earth, and created man upon it” (Isaiah 45:12)
3. “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world” (D&C 43:34)
4. “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15)
5. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14)
Have the family members take turns drawing papers from the bowl and have them read their verse. Ask the family: “Who does this verse tell you that Jesus is?” Match it to one of the strips covering the picture and remove that strip. Repeat until the picture is revealed.
Discuss how the baby Jesus grew up to become all the names you read about.
(adapted from Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime: Book Two [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1994], p. 55-6.)
Story:
(Elaine Cannon)
The Nativity never was presented with more significance for me than the day a young friend of mine brought her “special needs class” to our home for a Christmas program. There was a heartbreaking mix of [disabled children]. An unusually abundant spirit accompanied them, as if angels ushered them in.
They were costumed in familiar makeshift robes charmingly depicting the characters. There were Joseph, Mary, and a Herald Angel with a tinsel halo, robed in a twin-size sheet shrouding a wheelchair. There was a shepherd draped in a paisley beach towel with a curved staff carved from styrofoam, mounted on one crutch. A pair of lambs (one on all fours and one wearing a head cage and reclining in a custom-sized canvas stroller) were draped with sheepskin. A small soul held a dowel with a shaking foil star. The Three Wise Men sparkled in recycled and revamped Deseret Industries gowns of lamé, sequins, and velvet.
Make-up surely heightened the drama of things by bolstering confidence in performing. Every one of the participants wore lipstick and rouged cheeks that could neither disguise nor enhance the radiance from a choice eternal spirit within.
The teacher narrated while the needful action was accomplished. There was only one slight change in the script. It was the angel who “brought forth” from the side of the wheelchair a swaddled teddy bear (“Firstborn Son”) and laid it in armless Mary’s lap.
By the time the Three Wise Men were propelled onto the scene to nod, bow with clasped hands, or kneel as their afflictions permitted, my soft heart was swollen to the season of wonder! The symbolic gold, frankincense, and myrrh [were] dutifully dumped on the quaint scene.
This group of Heavenly Father’s specially beloved children had gifted me with a dimension that my many seasons had seldom equaled.
(Keeping Christmas: Stories from the Heart, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996], p.79.)
Activity:
Have your family act out the nativity story as you read Luke 2: 1, 3-16 and Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-16.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
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 Judaea, 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.
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.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by 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.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Refreshment
Holiday Trifle
1/2 of a baked angel food cake
1 (4 3/4-oz.) pkg. Junkett® Danish Dessert, raspberry flavor
1 c. frozen raspberries, crushed
1 (5.1-oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding
2 1/2 c. milk
1 c. heavy cream, whipped
3 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 bananas
Maraschino cherries, well drained and halved
Cut angel food cake into bite-sized squares and set aside.
Prepare Danish dessert according to for pudding package directions; allow the dessert to cool, then add crushed frozen raspberries and set aside.
In a separate bowl, prepare pudding by pouring milk into the powdered pudding mix and stirring well; set aside. Combine whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla, then fold into pudding. Slice in bananas and stir.
To assemble the trifle, repeat the following three times: (1) Layer a third of the cake pieces in the bottom of the trifle bowl, (2) drizzle a third of the raspberry dessert over the cake, and (3) spoon a third of the vanilla pudding over the raspberry dessert. Decorate the top layer with real holly leaves and halved Maraschino cherries to make holly berry design. (Be sure to drain the cherries well, as they might “bleed” into the pudding.)
Serves 10 to 12.
(edited by Elaine Cannon, Five-Star Recipes from Well-Known Latter-day Saints, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2002], p. 194.)
