From the time of Adam, righteous men looked forward to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The prophets taught that Jesus Christ would come to save all of Heavenly Father’s children from death. They also taught that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, men could be forgiven of their sins and return to Heavenly Father. Many of the prophets knew of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, long before it happened.
Read Isaiah 9:6 and discuss: Isaiah, a mighty prophet of the Old Testament, spoke of the Savior’s birth: “For unto us a child [Jesus Christ] is born, unto us a son [the Son of God] is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”.
Read 1 Nephi 10:4 and discuss: Lehi, a prophet of the Book of Mormon, fled Jerusalem with his family. He wandered for many years in the wilderness, endured much affliction, and inherited from God a promised land. He prophesied, as his son Nephi recorded it, that “Six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world”.
Read 1 Nephi 11: 20-21 and discuss: Nephi prayed to see and understand the vision his father, Lehi, had received. In answer to his prayer, an angel of the Lord showed him the birth, ministry, and crucifixion of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Nephi said, “I looked and beheld the virgin [Mary] again, bearing a child in her arms.
“And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God [Jesus Christ], yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!”
Read Helaman 14:2 and discuss: Samuel the Lamanite, another prophet of the Book of Mormon, stood boldly upon the wall at Zarahemla. He had been sent by the Lord to call the wicked Nephites to repentance and to foretell the Savior’s birth. He cried with a loud voice, “For five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name”.
Read Luke 2: 10-11 and discuss: When the Savior, Jesus Christ, was born, the prophecies were fulfilled. The time that all the holy prophets had waited for had finally come. An angel appeared to shepherds while they watched their flocks. The angel spoke to the shepherds, saying, “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.”
Then have the children make an Advent chain with the days remaining until Christmas with the following scriptures written on each day:
Isaiah 7:14—Isaiah prophesies that a pure young woman will give birth to God’s son.
Matthew 1:18–23—Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled.
Isaiah 9:6—Isaiah prophesies that Jesus Christ will come as a baby; Jesus is described by several names.
Micah 5:2—Micah prophesies that Jesus will be born in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:4–6—The scribes knew that Bethlehem was the prophesied birthplace of the Messiah.
1 Nephi 11:18–21—Nephi prophesies that the Son of God will be born to a virgin.
Luke 1:26–31—A virgin named Mary will be the mother of Jesus Christ.
Alma 7:9–10—Alma prophesies that Jesus will be born to Mary.
Luke 2:4–7—Jesus is born.
Helaman 14:1–6—Samuel the Lamanite prophesies of the signs at Jesus’ birth.
3 Nephi 1:4–21—On the night of Jesus’ birth, there was no darkness in America and a new star rose.
Matthew 2:2—A new star appeared in Israel.
Farewell
2 months ago
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