Sofia's Christmas Ideas: Christmas is a time to give “the best” gifts.

Alma 7:10-12

And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Christmas is a time to give “the best” gifts.

Read 3 Nephi 14:9-12
"Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets."

Wrap a few “yucky” gifts like a dirty sock, a chewed up apple or a crumpled newspaper. Have the children open them. How would they feel if these were their real Christmas gifts? Take a large piece of poster board and divide it in half Label the columns good gifts and best gifts. Brainstorm gifts for each categories, for younger children try to draw pictures of what they say. Good gifts could include a Barbie or toy truck. Best gifts should include things like service, a humble heart, kind words, love, thankful prayers to Heavenly Father, the life of Jesus Christ, etc.

Sing I Feel My Saviors Love Children’s Songbook pg.74 Focus on learning Vs.4
"I’ll share my Savior’s love, By serving others freely, In serving I am blessed, In giving I receive."

“ Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved. There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord our God with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves. 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.Someone has appropriately said, “We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give.” It is through giving, rather than getting, that the Spirit of Christ enters our lives.”
Thomas S. Monson “First Presidency Christmas Devotional: ‘My Redeemer Lives’,” Ensign, Feb 2001, 70–73