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We Have Come to Worship Him

Shepherds hurry, wise men follow a star, and two faithful friends meet Baby Jesus in the temple

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 2
  • 📅 Sunday, January 10, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

The shepherds, Simeon, Anna and the wise men all came to Jesus and worshipped Him, and I can come to Jesus and worship Him too.

I can worship Jesus by coming to Him, thanking Him and giving Him my heart.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 2; Luke 2 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 2; Luke 2)
Know the chapters

Christmas just ended, and now the class gets the whole story from the scriptures. Luke 2 tells how Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be counted, found no room in the inn, and laid the newborn Jesus in a manger. An angel told shepherds the good news, a crowd of angels praised God, and the shepherds came quickly, found the baby, and told everyone. About forty days later, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. There, Simeon, who had been promised by the Holy Ghost that he would see the Savior before he died, took Jesus in his arms and praised God. Anna, a very old prophetess who served in the temple with fasting and prayer night and day, gave thanks and told others about Him.

Matthew 2 tells about wise men from the east who followed a new star, asking where the newborn King was so they could worship Him. Jealous King Herod pretended he wanted to worship Jesus too. The star led the wise men to the house where the young child was; they knelt, worshipped and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh. God warned them in a dream to go home another way, and an angel warned Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Notice that the wise men came to a house and found a “young child” (Matthew 2:11), so they probably arrived later than the shepherds, not the night He was born. Keep Herod gentle: he was a jealous, cruel king, and God protected Jesus by warning Joseph. You do not need to tell the class about Matthew 2:16.

For eight-year-olds, the thread through every scene is people coming to Jesus. The shepherds hurried. Simeon and Anna waited faithfully for years. The wise men traveled a long way. Worship means showing love, honor and thanks to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and kids can do it too: taking the sacrament reverently, praying, singing, keeping their baptism promises and being kind. The greatest gift they can give Jesus is themselves: their hearts and their choices.

These events fulfilled prophecies. Micah had said the Savior would come from Bethlehem (Matthew 2:5–6), and in the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied a new star and a night with no darkness (Helaman 14:2–5). Kids who studied the Old Testament last year love hearing that the prophets were right. Luke 2:40 and 52 also show that Jesus grew up just like they are growing: in wisdom, in size, and in favor with God and people.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 2:1–20 and Matthew 2:1–12. Open Teach Mode and let your phone or tablet carry the story drama, then teach Matthew 2:2 with the motions and play Forehead Guess. Skip the gift box: pairs find the “tiny gift” in each other’s eyes instead. No star or doll? Tap “I brought nothing” and a kid becomes the Star.

What to bring4 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Before class, set the Baby Jesus doll or blanket bundle in a quiet spot across the room (on a chair or in a box “manger”) and lay a sweater or jacket over it so it’s hidden.
  2. Tape the mirror inside the bottom of the box so it faces up. Put the lid on. Wrap it if you want it to look like a real present.
  3. Walk the path you will lead with the star: a loop around the room that ends right above the hidden baby.
  4. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story parts with one tap. This story has lots of parts!

If your class is wild

  • The Star is the best job for a kid who can’t sit still: they get to walk the whole room, slowly, with twinkle fingers.
  • Your loudest kid is the Angel. Their job is to be LOUD at exactly one moment (scene 4), then whisper for the rest.
  • Shepherds “hurry” with tiptoe-running in place. Real running ends the drama.
  • Kids will say, “I already know this story!” Great: make them the experts. Ask them what happens next before each scene.
  • The mirror peek works best in a line. Each kid makes their best surprised-wise-man face and says nothing.

The 25-minute plan25 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Follow the Star

3 min

A silent parade gets them moving and quiet at the same time, and ends in a reverent surprise.

  1. Before anyone sits, hold the paper star up high. Say: “Wise men and wise women, line up behind the star. Wise people follow without a sound.”
  2. Lead the line slowly around the room on your practiced path. Stop right above the hidden bundle.
  3. Let the most reverent kid lift the sweater. Say softly: “They found Him.”
  4. Everyone sits. Say: “When Jesus was born, lots of people came to find Him. Some ran, some waited their whole lives, and some followed a star. Let’s meet them!”
🌪️ Anyone who talks or pushes goes to the back of the line. Wise men are never in a hurry.

Class screen: ⭐ Follow the star… without a sound! · Line up · Tiptoe · Where will it stop?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper star (cut from yellow paper, or draw one on any sheet of paper), A baby doll or a small blanket rolled into a bundle (Baby Jesus)

The Human Star

  1. Pick a kid who is sitting ready to be the Star: arms stretched high, twinkling fingers. Whisper where the Star should stop (your chair).
  2. SAY“Wise men and wise women, line up behind the star. Wise people follow without a sound.” Tap magic on the Sound Board and the Star leads the line slowly around the room.
  3. When the Star stops at your chair, kneel and cradle your arms like you’re holding a tiny baby. Say softly: “They found Him.”
  4. Everyone sits. Say: “When Jesus was born, lots of people came to find Him. Some ran, some waited their whole lives, and some followed a star. Let’s meet them!”

Class screen: 🌟 Follow the Star kid… without a sound! · Line up · Tiptoe · Where will it stop?

2. Story

Story Drama: Who Came to See Jesus?

6 min

Everyone becomes someone who came to Jesus, so the big idea is felt, not just heard.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them). Everyone else is a Shepherd or Sheep.
  2. Give Mary the Baby Jesus doll or bundle. Say: “No one plays Jesus. We hold Him very gently.”
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue. Ask the class “What happens next?” before a few scenes.
  4. At scene 4, feed the Angel the big line one phrase at a time, then let the whole choir shout, “Glory to God!”
  5. At scene 9, practice the key line together in a whisper: “We have come to worship Him.”
🌪️ Scenes 5 to 7 are quiet scenes. Turn the lights down a little for them, then back up for the wise men.

Class screen: 🎭 Story Drama: Who came to see Jesus? · Shepherds 🐑 · Simeon & Anna 🏛️ · Wise Men ⭐

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A baby doll or a small blanket rolled into a bundle (Baby Jesus)

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them). Everyone else is a Shepherd or Sheep.
  2. Mary holds an invisible Baby Jesus: arms cradled, rocking gently. Say: “No one plays Jesus. This baby is so precious that everyone near Him whispers.”
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue. Ask the class “What happens next?” before a few scenes.
  4. At scene 4, feed the Angel the big line one phrase at a time, then let the whole choir shout, “Glory to God!”
  5. At scene 6, Mary carefully passes the invisible baby to Simeon. Everyone watches to make sure he’s gentle!
  6. At scene 9, practice the key line together in a whisper: “We have come to worship Him.”
3. Wiggle break

Grow Like Jesus

2 min

Luke 2:52 becomes four body moves, and kids learn Jesus was once a growing kid too.

  1. SAY“Jesus was once eight years old too! Luke 2:52 says He grew in four ways.”
  2. “Wisdom” = tap your head, then open your hands like a book · “Stature” = crouch down low, then stretch up tall on tiptoes · “Favour with God” = fold your arms and look up · “Favour with man” = give a neighbor a gentle high-five.
  3. Call them out in order, then mixed up, then super fast.
  4. Finish slow: everyone grows from a crouch to tiptoes while you say the whole verse.

Class screen: 🌱 Grow like Jesus: four ways! · 🧠 wisdom · 📏 stature · 🙏 God · 🙌 people

4. Object lesson

The Best Gift

3 min

A mirror surprise shows that the gift Jesus wants most is each child.

  1. Hold up the box. Say: “The wise men brought Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. Inside this box is the gift Jesus wants most from YOU. It’s something only you can give.”
  2. Kids line up and peek inside one at a time. Rule: make your most surprised face, but don’t say a word!
  3. When everyone has looked, ask: “What did you see?” (Me!)
  4. SAY“Jesus doesn’t need gold. He wants you: your heart, your love, your choices. That’s what worship is.”
  5. Ask: “How can an eight-year-old give Jesus their heart this week?” (Take the sacrament reverently, keep your baptism promises, pray, be kind to the new kid.)
🌪️ Hold the box yourself so it doesn’t get shaken, dropped or opened early.

Class screen: 🎁 What gift does Jesus want most? · Peek inside… · Don’t tell!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small box with a lid and a small mirror taped inside the bottom (a compact mirror or craft mirror works)

The Tiny Gift in Your Eyes

  1. SAY“The wise men brought Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. I know where a gift for Jesus is hiding, but it’s so tiny you need a partner to find it.”
  2. Pairs face each other, a little closer than usual. Say: “Look carefully into the dark middle of your partner’s eye. What do you see?” (A tiny reflection of themselves! Facing a window or a light helps.)
  3. SAY“That tiny you is the gift Jesus wants most: YOU. Your heart, your love, your choices. That’s what worship is.”
  4. Ask: “How can an eight-year-old give Jesus their heart this week?” (Take the sacrament reverently, keep your baptism promises, pray, be kind to the new kid.)

Class screen: 👀 Find the tiny gift in your partner’s eyes!

🌪️ Give it 20 seconds of looking, then everyone freezes. Giggles are fine; staring contests are not.
5. Scripture

Scripture Spotlight: Matthew 2:2

3 min

Motions and three different “travelers” help kids memorize the wise men’s words.

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it once slowly.
  2. Teach the motions one phrase at a time.
  3. Say it three ways: like wise men (slow and grand), like shepherds (fast and excited), like Anna (a happy whisper).
  4. Ask: “What does it mean to worship Jesus?” (To love Him, thank Him and honor Him, with our actions and not just our words.)

Class screen: ✨ We have seen His star… and come to worship Him!

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Shepherds vs. Wise Men

4 min

A Heads Up–style team game reviews every person, place and gift from today.

  1. Split into two teams: Shepherds and Wise Men.
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. A kid from the Shepherds holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing their team. Their team gives clues for 45 seconds without saying the word.
  3. Tilt down for “got it,” up to pass. Count the Shepherds’ score, then the Wise Men take a turn.
  4. Play two rounds each. Both teams win if everyone gave kind clues.
🌪️ Only the guessing team gives clues. The other team’s job is to act as silent “sheep” until it’s their turn.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess: Shepherds vs. Wise Men! · Give clues, don’t say the word!

7. Talk it over

Talk It Over

2 min

Connect the people who came to Jesus to what kids can do this week.

  1. Sit close. Ask one question at a time and share your own answer too.
  2. Let kids answer with a thumbs-up first, then call on a few.
💬 Ask the class
  • The shepherds hurried, Simeon and Anna waited for years, and the wise men traveled far. Which one would you want to be? Why?
  • What are some ways we can worship Jesus at church? At home?
  • What is one gift you could give Jesus this week?

Class screen: 💬 Let’s talk!

8. Testimony

Testimony & Star Gifts

2 min

End calm and reverent, with something to do at home.

  1. Lower your voice. Share one or two sentences about why you love Jesus Christ and how you know He is the Savior who was born in Bethlehem.
  2. Introduce the Star Gifts challenge on the screen.
  3. Pass out the gold coins if you brought them: “A little gold to remind you of the wise men’s gift.”
  4. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: ⭐ This week: give Jesus a Star Gift every day! · A kind act · A real prayer · Helping without being asked

9. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. Split into two teams. Tap Scripture Showdown to start.
  2. Read each question aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

10. Game

Nativity Freeze Dance

3 minBONUS

Freeze into a nativity statue every time the music stops.

  1. Tap Freeze Dance. Everyone dances while the music plays.
  2. When it stops, call out a character: shepherd, sheep, angel, wise man, star, Simeon, Anna or Joseph. Everyone freezes as that character.
  3. Pick the best statue each round to call the next character.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🧊 Dance… then freeze like a nativity statue!

Story drama

Who Came to See Jesus?

Luke 2:1–38; Matthew 2:1–14 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • MaryHolds Baby Jesus (a doll or bundled blanket) gently and keeps everything in her heart.
  • JosephLeads the way to Bethlehem, knocks on doors, and obeys the angel in his dream.
  • The AngelStands tall on tiptoes with arms spread wide and announces the good news to the shepherds.
  • Shepherds & SheepEveryone else: baa, sleep in the fields, tiptoe-run to Bethlehem, and become the angel choir.
  • SimeonWaits and waits at the temple, then holds the baby and thanks God.
  • AnnaPrays in the temple, then goes around whispering the good news to everyone.
  • Wise MenTwo or three kids follow the star from far away, kneel, and give gifts.
  • The StarHolds hands high with twinkle fingers and slowly leads the wise men across the room.

Scenes

  1. 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️ A long trip to Bethlehem

    The ruler of the land ordered everyone to go to their family’s hometown to be counted. So Joseph and Mary traveled all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, a long, dusty trip. Mary was about to have her baby.

    🎬 Joseph and Mary walk slowly in place. Everyone else stomps tired feet: “Are we there yet?”

  2. 🚪🌾 No room, so a manger bed

    Bethlehem was packed. There was no room for them in the inn. So when Jesus was born, Mary wrapped Him in soft cloths and laid Him in a manger, a wooden box that animals eat from.

    🎬 Joseph knocks. Everyone shakes their heads: “No room!” Mary gently lays Baby Jesus down.

  3. 🐑🌙 Shepherds in the dark fields

    That night, shepherds were out in the fields watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them. They were really scared!

    🎬 Sheep baa and fall asleep. Shepherds jump up and shield their eyes from the bright light.

  4. 👼🎺 “Good tidings of great joy!”

    The angel said, “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 the sky filled with angels praising God.

    🎬 The Angel booms the big line (feed it one phrase at a time). Everyone else becomes the angel choir, arms up: “Glory to God!”

  5. 🏃👶 The shepherds hurry to see

    The shepherds said, “Let’s go see!” They came quickly and found Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manger, just like the angel said. Afterward they told everyone they met. Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them.

    🎬 Shepherds tiptoe-run in place, then kneel very quietly by the baby.

  6. 🏛️👴 Simeon waited his whole life

    When Jesus was still a tiny baby, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple. An old man named Simeon was there. The Holy Ghost had promised him he would see the Savior before he died. Simeon took Baby Jesus in his arms and thanked God.

    🎬 Simeon gently holds the baby, looks up and says, “Thank You, God! I have seen the Savior!”

  7. 👵🙏 Anna tells everyone

    Anna was a very old prophetess. She stayed at the temple day and night, praying and fasting. When she saw Jesus, she gave thanks and told everyone who was waiting for the Savior.

    🎬 Anna walks around and whispers to each shepherd: “He’s here!” Each one whispers it to a neighbor.

  8. ⭐🐪 Wise men follow a new star

    Far away in the east, wise men saw a new star. They knew it meant a new King had been born, so they traveled a long, long way. They asked, “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.”

    🎬 The Star walks slowly around the room with twinkle fingers. The Wise Men follow in a line.

  9. 🎁🙇 Gifts for the young child

    Jealous King Herod pretended he wanted to worship Jesus too, but he didn’t. The star led the wise men to the house where young Jesus was, and they were filled with joy! They knelt, worshipped Him, and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh. God warned them in a dream, so they went home another way.

    🎬 The Star stops over Mary. The Wise Men kneel and hold out pretend gifts. Everyone whispers, “We have come to worship Him.”

  10. 😴👼🌙 Joseph keeps Jesus safe

    Then an angel came to Joseph in a dream: “Take the young child and His mother and go to Egypt, where He will be safe.” Joseph got up that very night and obeyed. Heavenly Father was watching over His Son.

    🎬 Joseph snores, wakes, and leads Mary and Baby Jesus on a quiet tiptoe walk around the room.

Key verse

Matthew 2:2 ↗
“we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
In kid words: We saw His star, and we came to worship Him!
🙌 “we have seen” = make binoculars with your hands · “his star” = twinkle fingers up high · “in the east” = point far away · “and are come” = walk in place · “to worship him” = kneel on one knee and fold your arms

More verses

Luke 2:11 ↗
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
In kid words: Today in Bethlehem, your Savior was born. He is Christ the Lord!
Luke 2:16 ↗
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
In kid words: The shepherds hurried and found Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in the manger.
Luke 2:52 ↗
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
In kid words: Jesus grew smarter, grew taller, grew closer to God, and grew in friendship with people.
Matthew 2:11 ↗
“they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him”
In kid words: The wise men saw young Jesus with Mary, and they knelt down and worshipped Him.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🌾 Manger
  • 🏨 Inn
  • 🧑‍🌾 Shepherds
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 👼 Angel
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🐪 Wise Men
  • 🪙 Gold
  • 🎁 Gifts
  • 👴 Simeon
  • 👵 Anna
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • 👑 King Herod
  • 👩 Mary
  • 🧔 Joseph
  • 🏜️ Egypt
  • 🙏 Worship
Clues for each word
  • Bethlehem: The little town where Jesus was born
  • Manger: An animal food box that became Jesus’s bed
  • Inn: It had no room for Mary and Joseph
  • Shepherds: Watched sheep at night and heard the angel
  • Sheep: Baa! The shepherds watched over them
  • Angel: Said “Fear not!” and brought good news
  • Star: Led the wise men to Jesus
  • Wise Men: Traveled from the east with gifts
  • Gold: A shiny gift the wise men brought
  • Gifts: Gold, frankincense and myrrh
  • Simeon: Old man who held Baby Jesus in the temple
  • Anna: Prophetess who prayed at the temple night and day
  • Temple: Where Simeon and Anna met Baby Jesus
  • King Herod: Jealous king the wise men didn’t go back to
  • Mary: Jesus’s mother, who kept everything in her heart
  • Joseph: Obeyed his dreams and kept Jesus safe
  • Egypt: Where Joseph took the family to be safe
  • Worship: To love, honor and thank God
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Why did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
    • A. To be counted
    • B. To go on vacation
    • C. To buy sheep
    Show answer

    ✅ A. To be counted The ruler ordered everyone to go to their family’s hometown to be counted and taxed.

  2. Where did Mary lay Baby Jesus?
    • A. In a crib
    • B. In a manger
    • C. In a basket
    Show answer

    ✅ B. In a manger There was no room in the inn, so His first bed was an animals’ food box.

  3. Who were the first people the angel told about Jesus’s birth?
    • A. Kings
    • B. Soldiers
    • C. Shepherds
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Shepherds Humble shepherds heard the news first, out in the fields at night.

  4. What did the shepherds do after they saw Jesus?
    • A. Told everyone
    • B. Went back to sleep
    • C. Kept it a secret
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Told everyone Luke 2:17: they spread the news, and people were amazed.

  5. What had the Holy Ghost promised Simeon?
    • A. He would be rich
    • B. He would see the Savior before he died
    • C. He would become king
    Show answer

    ✅ B. He would see the Savior before he died Simeon got to hold Baby Jesus in the temple and thank God.

  6. What led the wise men to Jesus?
    • A. A map
    • B. A camel
    • C. A new star
    Show answer

    ✅ C. A new star The star went before them until it stopped over the place where Jesus was.

  7. Why did the wise men go home another way?
    • A. They got lost
    • B. God warned them in a dream
    • C. They wanted to sightsee
    Show answer

    ✅ B. God warned them in a dream God protected Jesus from jealous King Herod.

  8. Luke 2:52 says Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with…
    • A. God and man
    • B. kings and queens
    • C. animals
    Show answer

    ✅ A. God and man Jesus grew up just like you: in mind, body, spirit and friendships.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Stars Were Gleaming Children’s Songbook, p. 37

    Sing it right after the wise men follow the star. Find it ↗

  • Once within a Lowly Stable Children’s Songbook, p. 41

    The manger, the shepherds and the angels in one gentle song. Find it ↗

  • Jesus Once Was a Little Child Children’s Songbook, p. 55

    Pairs with the Grow Like Jesus wiggle and Luke 2:52. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Star Gifts

The wise men brought gifts to Jesus. Each day this week, give Him one Star Gift: a kind act, a real prayer, or helping without being asked. Draw a little star on a paper by your bed every time, and see how many you have by Sunday.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we acted out everyone who came to Jesus: the shepherds who hurried, Simeon and Anna who waited in the temple, and the wise men who followed a star. We learned Matthew 2:2, “we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him,” and that the gift Jesus wants most is our hearts. Ask your child: what did you see inside the gift box, and what does it mean?

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🏛️ About My Father’s Business · 5 min

  1. Read Luke 2:46–49: when Jesus was twelve, Mary and Joseph searched three days and found Him in the temple, listening and asking questions. You read Jesus’s words in verse 49.
  2. Ask: “What is Heavenly Father’s business?” (Helping His children come back to Him.)
  3. Kids take turns acting out ways an eight-year-old can help with it (inviting a friend, helping a sibling, sharing a scripture) while the class guesses.

📜 Prophecy Came True! · 4 min

  1. Read Matthew 2:5–6: the priests knew the Savior would come from Bethlehem because a prophet had said so long before.
  2. Tell about Helaman 14:2–5 in your own words: Samuel the Lamanite prophesied a new star and a night with no darkness when Jesus was born.
  3. Ask: “What have our prophets today told us is coming?” Talk about the Second Coming.

🤫 Simeon’s Waiting Game · 3 min

  1. Open the Noise Meter. Challenge: be as quiet as Simeon waiting in the temple for 30 seconds.
  2. Ask: “Simeon waited years to see the Savior. What helped him keep waiting?” (Faith and the Holy Ghost.)

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

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