Week 3 December: Learning About Jesus Through the Old Testament and Christmas Traditions

 

Week 3 December: Learning About Jesus Through the Old Testament and Christmas Traditions

The Old Testament teaches me about Jesus.

You and your children can use Christmas decorations to start a conversation about Jesus Christ. Talk about how a Christmas star, lights, or a gift can remind us of the Savior. Then explore scriptures that symbolize Him:

  • Genesis 22:8 – Jesus as a lamb

  • Numbers 24:17 – Jesus as a star

  • Psalms 23:1 – Jesus as a shepherd

  • Psalms 27:1 – Jesus as light

Activity Ideas:

  • Children hold up a picture or decoration that matches each scripture as you read it together.

  • Discuss: How is Jesus like a lamb, star, shepherd, or light?

  • Sing a Christmas song together, such as “Stars Were Gleaming” (Children’s Songbook, 37).

Visual:

  • Picture of baby Jesus (for Isaiah 9:6)

  • Ask children to point to the baby Jesus when they hear the phrase “a child is born.”

  • Share your testimony that prophets in the Old Testament knew Jesus would be born.

Discussion:

  • Review what your children have learned about Jesus from the Old Testament this year.

  • Which prophecies or stories stood out?

  • How has learning about Jesus helped them?

  • Younger children might look through Old Testament Stories or pictures in Come, Follow Me.

Christmas traditions can point to Jesus Christ.

Israelite families had traditions, like the Passover and other feasts, to help them focus on the Lord (Exodus 12). Discuss with your children:

  • What traditions do you have at Christmastime that help you remember Jesus Christ?

  • What family traditions do you know about from your family history?

  • What traditions would you like to start together?

Activity Ideas:

  • Serve someone in need.

  • Choose something to offer as a “gift” to the Savior.

  • Invite a friend or family member to watch the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional (broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

  • Write your own Christmas song or find a creative way to share the message of Christ’s birth.

Discussion:

  • Talk about how traditions can help our hearts and minds focus on Jesus.

  • Ask children how they feel when they remember Jesus during special traditions.

Family Thought & Reflection:

  • How do decorations, symbols, and traditions help us remember Jesus?

  • How can we share the message of His birth with others?

Preschool Add-On:

  • Letter of the Week: J for Jesus

  • Number: 1 (Jesus is the only Savior)

  • Shape: Star

  • Color: Gold or white (celebration and light)

  • Sight Words: Jesus, is, born, light

Tracing Sentences:

  • Jesus is the light of the world.

  • We celebrate Jesus at Christmas.

Craft Idea:

  • Make a “Christmas Symbols Tree”: children create ornaments representing Jesus as lamb, star, shepherd, or light.

Early Elementary Add-On:

  • Reading & Writing Extension: Write a short story: “My Favorite Way to Remember Jesus at Christmas.”

  • Math Extension: Count symbols or decorations that remind us of Jesus; create a chart of favorite Christmas traditions.

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