Preparation:
Gather the following pictures: The Birth of Jesus Christ, The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, Isaiah, Samuel the Lamanite, Lehi, Moses, Alma, Angels (the Ascension of Jesus), Jesus Christ, Peter, Gordon B. Hinckley, and Mormon. Familiarize yourself with each prophecy of Christ’s coming (see below).
Photocopy a mobile page for each child. Have a wire coat hanger for each child. Have crayons, scissors, a hole-punch, and yarn cut into 6- to 10-inch lengths available for the children to use to make their mobiles. (You may want to pre-cut, punch, and attach yarn to each piece before sharing time.)
Presentation:
Show the children the picture of the Birth of Christ. Post it on the board. Explain that long before Jesus was born, many prophets told the people that He would someday come to earth. Show the children the pictures of the prophets who foretold of Christ’s birth and very briefly tell of their prophecy. Place them around the nativity picture.
Isaiah. “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
Samuel the Lamanite. “And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.” (Helaman 14: 2, 6)
Lehi. “And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth.” (2 Nephi 26:3)
Moses. “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.” (Deuteronomy 18: 15)
Alma. “And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, . . . [shall] 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.” (Alma 7: 10–11)
Show the children the picture of the Second Coming of Christ. Explain that many prophets have also told us that Jesus Christ will return to the earth. Show the children the pictures of these prophets and briefly retell their prophecies. Place these pictures around the Second Coming painting.
Angels. “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
Jesus Christ. “For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand.” (D&C 29:11)
Peter. “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:20–21)
Gordon B. Hinckley. “Among the things I know and of which I am sure is that fact that he will come again. I know also that when he shall come the second time he shall come in glory, in contrast with the way he came in the meridian of time.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “We Need Not Fear His Coming,” Ensign, July 1982.)
Mormon. “For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come.” (Moroni 7: 22–23)
Invite the children to make something to help them remember the prophecies of Christ’s coming. Distribute the crayons and mobile pieces and have the children color the pictures. Distribute the hangars and yarn and have the children tie their pictures to the hangers. Have the other leaders and teachers assist as needed.
Bear your testimony that the Savior did live on the earth and that He will return one day. Have the children sing songs to reinforce the lesson such as, “Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus,” (Children’s Songbook, page 36); “Christmas Bells,” (Children’s Songbook, page 54); “He Sent His Son,” (Children’s Songbook, page 34); and “When He Comes Again,” (Children’s Songbook, page 82);