Lesson Helps

FHE: Star of Bethlehem

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Conference Talk: "Lead Kindly Light" by Virginia U. Jensen

Thought: "If they would see the star that should at once direct their feet and influence their destiny, they must look for it, not in the changing skies or outward circumstance, but each in the depth of his own heart and after the pattern provided by the Master" ("With Hand and Heart," President Thomas S. Monson, October 1971 general conference).

Song: "With Wondering Awe" (Hymns #210)

Scripture: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him" (Matthew 2:1–2).

Lesson: 

One of the signs prophesied of Christ's birth was a new star in the night sky. Event Samuel the Lamanite spoke of this sign when he taught the Nephites from the wall of Zarahemla in the Book of Mormon (Helaman 12:2-6).

2. 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.
3. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
4. Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
5. 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.
6. And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.

The wise men also knew a new star would be a sign that the Savior was born. They looked for that star, and when it appeared they followed it to Bethlehem where they presented Christ with three gifts: frankincense, gold, and myrrh. 

10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:10-11).

Discussion: What did the star mean? Why was it important that the wise men were looking for a star? How can we follow the light of Christ today? What are some things we can look to today that will hep us better follow the commandments and live the gospel?

Activity:  

Create an origami star of Bethlehem using Todd Huisken's Bible Origami.

What You'll Need: 

Multiple colored or white pieces of paper for everyone in your family (preferably origami paper, but regular printer paper should also work). 

Directions: 

  • Start with a square paper. Fold paper in half bottom to top.
  • Fold in half left to right and top to bottom to establish small creases where shown, in preparation for step 3.
  • Fold right side to the left as shown, using the creases from step 2.
  • Fold upper layer to right.
  • Fold bottom left corner up to meet folded right side.
  • Fold right side behind.
  • Fold back and forth where shown to establish crease.
  • Cut all layers at crease from step 7. Unfold model.
  • Fold and unfold five time to flatten creases where shown.
  • Fold bottom up, matching the points, and only creasing where shown. Repeat on remaining four sides.
  • Fold side in and bottom up and unfold as shown to establish creases. 
  • Repeat step 11 on the remaining four sides.
  • Slowly and carefully fold each of the five sides to the middle at the same time. They will lie down in a flat star shape.
  • Turn model over.
  • Fold top layer flap to the center.
  • Fold the flap to the left of step 14 to the middle. Repeat with remaining three flaps, moving clockwise.
  • Star finished.
Image title

Lead image from Getty Images


Keep your children's hands busy during church services with Bible Origami. Instead of folding the service programs into paper airplanes, they can fold Noah's ark, an oil lamp, or Joseph's coat! As you develop the unique skill of creating these simple-to-intermediate origami designs, you will find opportunities to use them with all ages for lessons, activities, crafting, and everyday fun!

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