Preparation:
Make a poster with a Christmas tree shape on it. Color and cut out the
following ornaments to place on the tree: Several small stars and one larger
star. Several candy canes. Several angels. Several Christmas ornaments in red,
white, and green. Several gift packages. Bring tape to attach the ornaments to
the poster. (The poster and ornaments can be laminated if you desire or you
could use a small artificial tree with actual ornaments if you choose.)
Obtain the following pictures: Resurrected Christ (Gospel Art Kit, 233), The Nativity (GAK, 200), The Shepherds (GAK, 202), Christ and the Lost Lamb (from meetinghouse library), Jesus Praying in Gethsemane (GAK, 227), The Wise Men (GAK, 203), and Jesus the Christ (GAK, 240).
Presentation:
Show the children the undecorated Christmas tree. Explain that many of the
decorations and traditions we have at Christmastime are to help us remember
Jesus Christ. Tell them that as they help you decorate the tree they will learn
what each symbol means. For each symbol have one class or group come to the
front and decorate the tree with those items. Then explain why that items helps
us remember Christ, show the corresponding picture, and read or have a child
read the accompanying scripture(s).
Tree: Christmas trees are evergreen trees. They do not die in the
winter, but stay green all year through. This is a symbol of eternal life.
Christ has made it possible for us to live in heaven after we die.
Scripture: Moses 1:39
Picture: Resurrected Christ.
Lights (small stars) and Star: We often use lights, candles, and stars
in our Christmas decorations. These represent the new star that appeared when
Christ was born.
Scripture: Matthew 2: 9-10.
Picture: Nativity Scene (star in background)
Candy Canes: This candy is made in the shape of a shepherd's staff. The
shepherds came to see baby Jesus. Christ is known as the good shepherd.
Scriptures: Luke 2:8-9; John 10:11.
Pictures: The Shepherds, Christ and the Lost Lamb
Angels: Angels announced Christ's birth to the shepherds.
Scripture: Luke 2: 10-11
Picture: The Shepherds
Red, White, and Green Ornaments: Christmas colors are symbols of jesus
Christ. Red represents the blood of Christ. Green represents eternal life.
White represents the purity of Christ (he was perfect).
Scriptures: Luke 22:44; 3 Nephi 12:48.
Picture: Christ in Gethsemane
Gifts (to put under the tree): Gifts represent the gifts the wise men
brought to the Christ child and the gift of the Savior that Heavenly Father
gave the world.
Scriptures: Matthew 2:1, 11; John 3:16.
Pictures: Wise Men, Jesus the Christ.
Sing Christmas songs that the children are familiar with to reinforce the concepts taught.
