But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart (1888)
by Alice Havers
Monthly Theme: The Scriptures Teach Me about the Savior’s Birth and Second Coming
Monthly Scripture: “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works” Matthew 16:27
Week 1 Prophets prophesied about the birth of Jesus Christ.
* Have a box with a picture of baby Jesus in it. You will be wrapping the box 13 times. In between each layer of wrapping paper, have a small envelope with a question (or scripture) having to do with the week's topic.
HERE is a link to information that can help you develop questions.
"Heavenly Father gave this gift to all of us, young or old, rich or poor. We did not have to search the shops for it. It did not cost us a single penny. It did not come wrapped in shiny wrapping paper. The most treasured gift of all was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. It was sent to all of us with love from our Heavenly Father." The Gift Ensign Dec. 2010
* HERE is an "Advent Calendar: Prophecies of Christ’s Coming,” NewEra, Dec 2008, 21–25. It'd be a great handout for the children to take home to families.
* Numbers 24:17 "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob..." Who was the prophet Balaam, from the Old Testament, prophesying would be born? Who was that Star?? Jesus!!
Have 10 different glow in the dark stars throughout the room. Turn off the lights and invite one Primary friend to choose one. Turn on the light. Have scriptures, songs and questions having to do with this week's theme attached to the stars. (OR you could just put up these STARS)
* HERE is a mobile children can make from The Friend about different prophecies.
Week 2 Jesus Christ was born.
* Bring in some paper for the primary children and blindfolds. (If possible!) Have everyone help each other get ready with the blindfolds. You'll need pencils too. You are going to do a blind drawing of a Christmas tree. They will have 1 minute to draw the tree, ornaments, star, presents.
After the minute is up, have them look at their art. What do they think??
Read John 9:1,5-7, 25 "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth....As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing...one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."
Jesus Christ was born into this world as the light of the world!! Because of Him, we can see!! We don't have to be blind, stumbling to know what to do each day. Hold up a picture of The Savior's birth. Now take a minute to draw a Christmas tree with ornaments, star, and presents... but with no blindfold!! Which one was better??* Gather 15 medium sized pictures having to do with the nativity story. Place them on the chalk board with magnets. Invite one child to leave the room and one child up front. The primary child up front will choose a picture to take down, then the other primary friend who was outside will come in and see if they can remember what picture was taken down. In between each round, ask some questions or have the children read scriptures having to do with Jesus being born on earth!
* Trip to Bethlehem!! As each primary friend comes into the room, give them an index card with a letter on it. Divide into groups and tell them you are going to play a game! Does anyone play the alphabet game when they go on a car trip? Well today we are taking a trip to Bethlehem and are going to come up with a word that starts with that letter. Give everyone 2-3 minutes to help each other in their group.
Next, call up the letters one at a time and invite the primary children to share their word and what it has to do with Jesus being born. Try to have pictures or a nativity displayed so they can hold up something if it has to do with what they are talking about. (Like A for Angel, they hold up an angel figurine)
Week 3 Jesus Christ will someday return to the earth.
* Will Earth Be White with Snow?? Sing I Wonder When He Comes Again and ask the children to repeat/fill in the blank... "Will earth be...." they say, "white with snow?"
Today, we've got some snowballs (crumpled paper, or Styrofoam balls) and a basket to toss them in. Have 15 questions and scriptures (total) for children to answer about the week's topic- Jesus Christ will someday return to the earth. Let 1 reverent primary friend come up front, answer a question, then take a turn to throw 5 snowballs in the basket!! Can anyone get all 5? Don't worry if you miss, you're doing better than I would do!!
Some questions could include:
What is the parable of the 10 virgins and what does it have to do with Jesus' 2nd coming?
How will we know that Jesus is coming again? (SIGNS)
Will ALL the words of the prophets be fulfilled? (Yes!)
Some wonderful things will happen before the Lord comes- Fill in the blank:“Light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my.......” (D&C 45:28). (Gospel)
Where will the gospel be preached before Jesus comes again? (In all the world, in all the languages)
Before the Savior comes again, Elijah will appear on earth.... has this happened? (Yes, in 1836 in the temple)
A new city will be built before the 2nd coming, what will it's name be and where will it be? (New Jerusalem, Missouri)
Do the prophets know when the 2nd coming will be? (D&C 49:7)
How can we remain calm and at peace even when some of the signs are devastating?
What will no longer be when Jesus comes again? There is something big that will be done away with.... (Death)
How does the following scripture make you feel D&C 45:57–59?* Create a small Welcome Back party for the Savior. Divide into groups. Have one group make an invitation, another few groups plan some simple games, another few groups can work on gifts to give, one group can plan decorations, one can do a food list (remember no meat!!).... give them plenty of paper and crayons!! Have them share their work as a whole group after 7 minutes!!
* Awesome idea from Sister Sydney Reynolds:
"To learn more about what life will be like in the Millennium, when Christ returns to earth to reign for a thousand years, choose 2 children to role-play TV news anchor persons, and assign each class to choose a “field reporter” to report the class’s findings on the following subjects in the scriptures: • animals / Isa. 11:6–9; Hosea 2:18 • people / Isa. 54:heading, 3; Micah 4:4; D&C 63:50–51 • nations, government / Micah 4:1–3; Jer. 31:33; D&C 29:11 • miscellaneous—time of His coming / Matt. 24:36, 44; Zion and the return of the city of Enoch / D&C 45:66, 71; Moses 7:62–64. Have the anchor persons make up questions for each field reporter to tell what his/her class learned about their subject. Tell the children that we do not know exactly when the Savior will come, but we must be preparing to meet Him (see Matt. 25:1–13). Sing “When He Comes Again” (CS, pp. 82–83) and discuss what the things are that we need to do to “be ready there.” (Dec. 1999 Friend)
Week 4 To prepare for the Second Coming, I will follow Jesus Christ.
* Make a huge saran-wrap ball with things inside it that have to do with the Second coming. Pass it around to some piano music and when the music stops, that child gets to unwrap until they find a surprise inside.
Some objects could include:
stop sign (signs)
flashlight (we don't have to be scared, we have the light)
Book of Mormon (the gospel will be restored)
water gun (lots of wars and rumors of war)
keys (priesthood will be restored)
clock (no one knows when the 2nd coming will be)
toy trump (trump will sound to signal Jesus is coming)
red cloth (what Jesus will be wearing when He comes again)
lamb & lion (they shall lie down together in peace)
happy face (in the millennium, all will be happy and righteous on earth)
picture of Jesus (how can we prepare for the 2nd coming??)
* Secret Service Time!! Today in primary we are going to follow Jesus Christ by doing something kind. Did you know this helps us prepare for the 2nd coming?? Don't sign their name on the paper!!
Invite the children to draw a picture and write something nice down on a note. Go into Relief Society, with the cards and with the children!! Randomly hand out the notes and have the children sing a song. (You'll have to speak with the Relief Society President beforehand to see if this is OK) It should only take about 5 minutes.
When you get back to the primary room, ask the children how it felt to do something without a person knowing you did it? How do you think Heavenly Father feels today knowing that you did this? Is this something you can do often?? Why is this important for when Jesus comes to earth again?
* HERE is a simple illustrated story talking about the second coming. You can make copies and have the children read in small groups. Draw a simple stick figure on the chalk board, this is Forgetful Fred. Forgetful Fred just read this story too, but can't remember what it was about!! Let's raise our hands and I'll write on the board some important things Forgetful Fred should remember from the story we read!!! (And us too!!)
