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Unto Us a Child Is Born

Prophets promised Jesus hundreds of years early, then the whole class acts out the night every promise came true

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 52
  • 📅 Sunday, December 27, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Prophets promised hundreds of years early that Jesus would come, every promise came true, and Jesus is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift to us.

I can thank Heavenly Father for the gift of Jesus and choose a gift to give Jesus this year.

Come, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Christmas)
Know the chapters

This week is different. Instead of new chapters, the manual turns the whole Old Testament toward Christmas. The week’s title comes from Isaiah 25:9: “we have waited for him, and he will save us.” From Adam and Eve to Malachi, God’s people looked forward to a Messiah, a Deliverer who would rescue them. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the long wait was over. Your class has just opened presents, so use that: the whole lesson builds to Jesus as Heavenly Father’s greatest gift (John 3:16) and to the gift each child can give Him back.

Isaiah and Micah lived about 700 years before Jesus. Isaiah promised a son called Immanuel, which Matthew explains means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), and a child whose names would be Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Micah even named the town: little Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). When King Herod asked where the Christ would be born, the chief priests answered by quoting Micah (Matthew 2:4–6). Numbers 24:17 promised “a Star out of Jacob.” In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite said that in five years there would be a day, a night and a day with no darkness, and a new star (Helaman 14:2–6), and it happened just as he said (3 Nephi 1:15–21). Eight-year-olds love a promise that comes true, and every one of these did.

If questions come up: Jesus’s mother is Mary, and His Father is Heavenly Father. That is why the angel said He would be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Joseph was chosen to raise Him and care for Him. Jesus is also Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament, so Isaiah could call a baby “the mighty God.” He is called “the everlasting Father” because He created the earth under Heavenly Father’s direction and because He makes us new, as His sons and daughters, when we make covenants with Him (Mosiah 5:7). He is not Heavenly Father. Keep answers short and simple.

A detail for the drama: the shepherds came the night Jesus was born, but the wise men came later and found “the young child” in a “house” (Matthew 2:11). The scriptures never say how many wise men there were (only that there were three kinds of gifts), and they don’t mention a donkey or camels, so any number of kids can be wise men. Next year the class starts the New Testament and learns about Jesus’s whole life, so this is a perfect bridge.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 2:4–16 and Isaiah 9:6 so the story is fresh. Grab a doll or a rolled-up towel and a laundry basket for the manger. Open Teach Mode and let your phone or tablet carry the Nativity drama: tap Roles to hand out parts, and anyone left over is a sheep. Read the three Old Testament promises straight off the screen instead of making scrolls, then play Forehead Guess and end with each child saying one gift they’ll give Jesus. Brought nothing at all? Tap “I brought nothing”: a kid becomes the star, Mary rocks a pretend baby by a chair manger, and the gifts for Jesus are acted out.

What to bring10 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. Make the ceiling star: cut a star-shaped hole about 1 inch wide in the middle of the cardstock or foil, and tape it over the end of the flashlight. Test it in a dark closet. It throws a glowing star on the ceiling.
  2. Make 5 Promise Scrolls. Write one promise per sheet in big letters: 👶 Isaiah 7:14: A baby boy named Immanuel, “God with us” · 🏘️ Micah 5:2: The King will come from little Bethlehem · 👑 Isaiah 9:6: “Unto us a child is born … The Prince of Peace” · ⭐ Numbers 24:17: “There shall come a Star out of Jacob” · 🧱 Bonus from the Book of Mormon, Helaman 14: Samuel the Lamanite promises a night with no darkness and a new star. Roll each one up and tie it.
  3. Write IT CAME TRUE! on a sheet of paper and tape it to the wall at kid height. Scroll Keepers will tape their scrolls under it during the story.
  4. Cut one gift tag per child (about 2 by 4 inches), punch a hole, and tie on yarn. Write “A Gift for Jesus” across the top of each.
  5. Set the stage: Nazareth by the door, the inn at the table, the shepherds’ field in one corner, the manger in the middle. Drape a blanket over a chair or small table to be the “house” where the star stops.
  6. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out parts with one tap. Decide ahead who gets Mary, Joseph and the Star.

If your class is wild

  • They will arrive wound up from Christmas (and maybe from sugar). Start with the Silent Night Star: the star only appears when the room is silent, and it does half your work for you.
  • Put your wiggliest kids in the sheep and shepherds. Sheep crawl and baa, shepherds hurry across the room, and that energy has somewhere to go.
  • Give Mary and Joseph to kids who can handle a quiet, important job. Give the Star to a kid who needs to move: the Star walks the whole room.
  • Baby Jesus is always a doll or a towel, never a classmate, and only Mary holds Him. Say it before the drama starts: “We treat baby Jesus with reverence.”
  • Keep the Noise Meter handy all class: “If we get quieter than a sleeping baby, the star comes back.”

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

The Silent Night Star

2 min

A star that only appears in total silence turns a wound-up room quiet in seconds.

  1. Dim the lights (leave enough light to be safe) and open the Noise Meter.
  2. Whisper: “Pretend a tiny baby is sleeping in this room. If we can get quieter than a sleeping baby, something amazing will appear.”
  3. The moment the room is silent, click on the flashlight and put the star on the ceiling. Let them gasp.
  4. SAY“Long before Jesus was born, the scriptures promised, ‘There shall come a Star out of Jacob.’ If I promised you something today, and it didn’t happen for 700 years, would you still believe me?”
  5. SAY“Prophets made promises about Jesus hundreds of years before He was born. Today we find out: did they come true?” Lights back on.
🌪️ If it takes a while, whisper a slow countdown from 10. The star never shows up while anyone is talking. It’s worth the wait.
🐭 Noise Meter (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🌟 Quieter than a sleeping baby… · Shhh… · Watch the ceiling!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A flashlight (a phone light works) and a small square of cardstock or foil

The Silent Night Star (Human Edition)

  1. Before class, secretly choose one kid to be the Star and whisper the plan. The Star crouches in a ball in the corner.
  2. Dim the lights (leave enough light to be safe) and open the Noise Meter. Whisper: “Pretend a tiny baby is sleeping in this room. If we can get quieter than a sleeping baby, something amazing will appear.”
  3. The moment the room is silent, nod to the Star. Tap Sound Board and play “magic.” The Star rises slowly to tiptoe, arms and fingers stretched wide and sparkling. Let them gasp.
  4. SAY“Long before Jesus was born, the scriptures promised, ‘There shall come a Star out of Jacob.’ If I promised you something today, and it didn’t happen for 700 years, would you still believe me?”
  5. SAY“Prophets made promises about Jesus hundreds of years before He was born. Today we find out: did they come true?” Lights back on.
2. Object lesson

Promise Scrolls

3 min

Five kids hold the prophets’ promises and watch for the moment each one comes true.

  1. SAY“I have five promises about Jesus, written long before He was born. I need five Scroll Keepers.” Choose kids who are sitting ready.
  2. One at a time, each Scroll Keeper unrolls a scroll. Help them read it, and teach a quick motion: Immanuel = hug yourself, Bethlehem = make a tiny roof with your hands, Isaiah 9:6 = rock a baby, Star = sparkle fingers, Samuel = shade your eyes from a bright sky.
  3. Explain the last one: “Samuel the Lamanite was a prophet in the Book of Mormon, on the other side of the world.”
  4. SAY“Scroll Keepers, hold on tight. When our story makes your promise come true, jump up, shout ‘It came true!’ and tape your scroll under the sign on the wall.”
🌪️ Only Scroll Keepers touch the scrolls. Everyone else’s job is to do each scroll’s motion the second it is read.

Class screen: 📜 Five promises about Jesus. Will they come true? · 👶 Immanuel · 🏘️ Bethlehem · 👑 A child is born · ⭐ A Star · 🧱 A night with no darkness

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 5 sheets of paper, tape, and ribbon, yarn or rubber bands for the Promise Scrolls

Promise Keepers

  1. SAY“I have five promises about Jesus, written long before He was born. I need five Promise Keepers.” Choose kids who are sitting ready.
  2. One at a time, read each Promise Keeper their promise straight off the screen or from your scriptures, and teach a quick motion: Immanuel = hug yourself, Bethlehem = make a tiny roof with your hands, Isaiah 9:6 = rock a baby, Star = sparkle fingers, Samuel = shade your eyes from a bright sky. The Keeper says it back in a big voice.
  3. Explain the last one: “Samuel the Lamanite was a prophet in the Book of Mormon, on the other side of the world.”
  4. Point to one wall: “This is the IT CAME TRUE wall.” Say: “Promise Keepers, when our story makes your promise come true, jump up, shout ‘It came true!’ and run and stick to this wall flat like tape.”

Class screen: 📜 Five promises about Jesus. Will they come true? · 👶 Immanuel · 🏘️ Bethlehem · 👑 A child is born · ⭐ A Star · 🧱 A night with no darkness

3. Story

Nativity Drama: The Night Every Promise Came True

7 min

Every kid has a part, so the whole room moves while the real story sinks in.

  1. Hand out parts (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Every extra kid joins the sheep, shepherds or angels. Scroll Keepers keep their scrolls and play a part too.
  2. Show everyone the stage: Nazareth by the door, the inn at the table, the field in the corner, the manger in the middle.
  3. Read each scene and pause for the action. When you read SCROLL CHECK, the Scroll Keeper jumps up, shouts “It came true!” and tapes the scroll under the sign.
  4. At the manger scene, lower your voice way down and slow down. Say: “This is the most important baby ever born.”
  5. At the end, everyone kneels around the manger for five silent seconds. Point to the wall: “Every promise came true!”
🌪️ If the sheep turn into wrestlers, freeze the scene: “Sheep only move when the shepherd is looking.” Then whisper the next line so they have to lean in to hear.

Class screen: 🎭 Nativity Drama! Everyone gets a part · Watch for SCROLL CHECK!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A baby doll, or a hand towel rolled up like a baby, plus a small blanket, A laundry basket or cardboard box for the manger, with a towel or crumpled paper for hay

  1. Hand out parts (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Every extra kid joins the sheep, shepherds or angels. Promise Keepers (or Scroll Keepers) play a part too.
  2. Show everyone the stage: Nazareth by the door, the inn at the table, the field in the corner, and one chair in the middle turned sideways as the manger.
  3. Read each scene and pause for the action. When you read SCROLL CHECK, that Keeper jumps up, shouts “It came true!” and sticks to the IT CAME TRUE wall.
  4. At the manger scene, Mary rocks an invisible baby in her arms and gently lays Him in the manger. Lower your voice way down and slow down. Say: “This is the most important baby ever born.” Wise Men hold out their pretend gifts later with both hands.
  5. At the end, everyone kneels around the manger for five silent seconds. Point to the wall: “Every promise came true!”
4. Wiggle break

Nativity Freeze

2 min

A dance break that burns energy and ends in silence all on its own.

  1. Tap Freeze Dance (or hum and stop). Everyone dances in their own space.
  2. When the music stops, call a pose and everyone freezes in it: “Sheep!” (hands and knees, one baa) · “Angel!” (tiptoe, arms up) · “Shepherd!” (lean on a staff, look for lost sheep) · “Star!” (jump into a big X) · “Wise man!” (kneel and hold out a gift).
  3. Play four or five rounds, getting faster.
  4. Always end with “Silent night!” Everyone freezes with a finger on their lips and sits down without a sound.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 💃 Dance… then FREEZE like the Nativity! · 🐑 Sheep · 👼 Angel · 🧑‍🌾 Shepherd · ⭐ Star · 👑 Wise man

5. Scripture

Scripture Spotlight: Isaiah 9:6

3 min

Five names for Jesus, with motions, help them remember who that baby really is.

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. Say: “Isaiah wrote this about 700 years before Jesus was born. He even knew His names!”
  2. Teach the motions one phrase at a time.
  3. Explain quickly: Wonderful means amazing. Counsellor means He gives the best advice when we pray. The mighty God means Jesus is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament. The everlasting Father means He created the earth and helps us become new. The Prince of Peace means He helps us feel calm and be kind.
  4. Say it three ways: big and joyful like the angels, whispering like shepherds in the field, then as fast as you can.
  5. Ask: “Which name for Jesus is your favorite? Why?”

Class screen: 👑 His name shall be called Wonderful! · Wonderful · Counsellor · The mighty God · The everlasting Father · The Prince of Peace

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Nativity Edition

4 min

The Heads Up–style game the class loves, loaded with every person, place and promise from today.

  1. Split into two teams: Shepherds and Wise Men. Tap Forehead Guess.
  2. One guesser stands up front and holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing their team.
  3. Teammates give clues without saying the word. The hint under each word helps if they get stuck. Tilt down for “got it,” up to pass.
  4. Each turn lasts 45 seconds, then the other team goes. Keep a tally on your fingers.
  5. Final round is Act It Out: no talking at all. Baa like a sheep, rock the baby, follow the star.
  6. No phone or tablet? Write the words on sticky notes and stick one on the guesser’s forehead.
🌪️ Only kids sitting on their bottoms can give clues. If someone shouts out the word, the other team gets a free point, and nobody wants that.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

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

7. Game

Tug of War: Shepherds vs. Wise Men

3 minBONUS

A quick burst of tapping that rewards teams for remembering the story.

  1. Keep the same two teams. Ask a quick question: “What town did Micah promise?” “What did the angel say first?” “Who promised a night with no darkness?”
  2. The first team to raise their hands quietly and answer right gets a 10-second head start. Then tap Tug of War and both teams tap as fast as they can.
  3. Play best of three.
🌪️ Only two tappers per team at a time, then switch, so your phone or tablet survives.
🪢 Tug of War (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🪢 Tug of War! Tap, tap, TAP! · 🧑‍🌾 Shepherds vs. Wise Men 👑

8. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A team quiz reviews the promises and how each one came true.

  1. Keep the Shepherds and Wise Men teams. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  2. Read each question aloud. Teams huddle, whisper, then point to their answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

9. Talk it over

Pass the Present

2 min

Connect the Christmas story to the gifts they just opened and the Savior they follow.

  1. Sit in a circle. Tap Hot Potato and pass a small wrapped box (or a soft ball) while the music plays.
  2. When it buzzes, whoever holds the present answers the question on the screen. Share your own answer too.
  3. Anyone can pass on a question by saying, “I’ll give it to a friend,” and handing it on.
💬 Ask the class
  • What was your favorite present this Christmas? Was it hard to wait for it?
  • The prophets waited hundreds of years for Jesus. Why do you think they were so excited?
  • Heavenly Father gave us Jesus. What gifts does Jesus give us? (He forgives us when we repent, He helps us when we’re sad, and because of Him we will live again.)
  • When you were baptized, you promised to always remember Jesus. What helps you remember Him at Christmas?
🥔 Hot Potato (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🎁 Pass the present… who will answer?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A soft ball, a beanbag, or a small wrapped box to pass during discussion

  1. Sit in a circle. Tap Hot Potato and pass an invisible present while the music plays. Each round, call out its size: “It’s tiny!” “Now it’s HUGE and heavy!” “Now it’s wiggling!”
  2. When it buzzes, whoever holds the present answers the question on the screen. Share your own answer too.
  3. Anyone can pass on a question by saying, “I’ll give it to a friend,” and handing it on.

Class screen: 🎁 Pass the invisible present… who will answer?

10. Testimony

A Gift for Jesus

2 min

End calm and reverent, with a gift each child will give Jesus this year.

  1. Hand out the gift tags. Say softly: “The wise men brought Jesus gold. What can an eight-year-old give Him? A gift from your heart.”
  2. Kids draw or write one gift on their tag: be kind to my little brother, say my prayers every night, share, help without being asked, forgive someone, invite a friend to Primary.
  3. Share in a sentence or two why you’re grateful Heavenly Father sent Jesus. Say: “Every promise about Jesus came true. That’s how I know we can trust His promises to us.”
  4. SAY“Next year we start the New Testament and learn all about Jesus’s life. I can’t wait.”
  5. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🎁 What gift will you give Jesus this year? · Draw it or write it on your tag · Hang it where you’ll see it every day

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: One paper gift tag per child, with a hole and a piece of yarn, Crayons or markers

  1. Say softly: “The wise men brought Jesus gold. What can an eight-year-old give Him? A gift from your heart.”
  2. Each child quietly acts out one gift while the class guesses: be kind to my little brother, say my prayers every night, share, help without being asked, forgive someone, invite a friend to Primary.
  3. Then everyone cups their hands like they’re holding a small present and whispers their gift into it. Say: “Tonight, draw it at home and hang it where you’ll see it every day.”
  4. Share in a sentence or two why you’re grateful Heavenly Father sent Jesus. Say: “Every promise about Jesus came true. That’s how I know we can trust His promises to us.”
  5. SAY“Next year we start the New Testament and learn all about Jesus’s life. I can’t wait.” Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🎁 What gift will you give Jesus this year? · Act it out, then hold it in your hands · Draw it at home tonight

Story drama

The Night Every Promise Came True

Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20; Matthew 2:1–11; Helaman 14:2–6; 3 Nephi 1:15–21 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • MaryListens to the angel, travels to Bethlehem, and gently lays baby Jesus (a doll) in the manger.
  • JosephLeads Mary to Bethlehem, knocks on the inn door, and keeps watch over the baby.
  • InnkeeperOpens the door and says, “No room!” Then kindly points to the place where the animals stay.
  • AngelsOne angel is Gabriel and visits Mary. Then all the angels tell the shepherds, “Fear not!” and praise God.
  • ShepherdsWatch the sheep at night, shake with fear, then hurry to find the baby and tell everyone.
  • SheepCrawl, munch grass and baa. Follow the shepherds all the way to the manger.
  • Wise MenFollow the star from far away, then kneel and give gifts to the young child Jesus.
  • The StarRises in the sky, lights up the night on the other side of the world, and leads the wise men to Jesus.

Scenes

  1. 📜⏳ Prophets promised: a Savior is coming!

    Long, long ago, God’s prophets made a huge promise: a baby would be born who would save everyone. Isaiah said, “Unto us a child is born.” Micah even named the town where it would happen. Then God’s people waited… and waited… for about 700 years!

    🎬 Everyone is a waiting prophet: shade your eyes, look far away, and tap your wrist like a watch: “Is He here yet?”

  2. 👼👩 An angel visits Mary

    In a little town called Nazareth lived a young woman named Mary. One day the angel Gabriel appeared and said, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” He told her she would have a baby boy, the Son of God, and she would name Him Jesus.

    🎬 Gabriel spreads angel wings. Mary looks surprised, then bows her head: “I will do what God asks.”

  3. 🚶🏘️ The long trip to Bethlehem

    The Roman ruler, Caesar Augustus, ordered everyone to go to their family’s hometown to be counted and taxed. So Joseph and Mary traveled all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David. It was a long, dusty trip, and Mary’s baby was almost ready to be born. SCROLL CHECK: Bethlehem!

    🎬 Mary and Joseph walk slowly around the room while everyone pats their legs for footsteps. Micah’s Scroll Keeper jumps up: “It came true!”

  4. 🚪🏨 “No room in the inn!”

    Bethlehem was packed with travelers. Joseph knocked, but there was no room for them in the inn. So they found a place where the animals were kept.

    🎬 Joseph knocks three times. The Innkeeper opens the door: “No room! Sorry!” Then kindly points to the animals. Sheep: “Baa!”

  5. 👶🌾 Baby Jesus is born!

    That night, Mary’s baby was born. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, which are snug baby blankets, and laid Him in a manger, the box animals eat their hay from. The Son of God, the King of the whole world, was sleeping on hay. SCROLL CHECK: Isaiah!

    🎬 Everyone kneels and whispers, “Shhh.” Mary gently lays the baby in the manger. Both Isaiah Scroll Keepers stand up quietly and whisper, “It came true!”

  6. 🐑🌙 An angel lights up the night!

    Out in the fields, shepherds were watching their sheep in the dark. Suddenly an angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them! The shepherds were terrified. The angel said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

    🎬 Sheep munch and baa. Shepherds yawn… then the angel appears! Shepherds shake with fear. Angels together: “Fear not!”

  7. 👼🎶 A sky full of angels!

    The angel told them a Savior was born in Bethlehem, and they would find Him lying in a manger. Then suddenly the whole sky filled with angels praising God! They said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

    🎬 All the angels stand on tiptoe with arms high. Everyone says it together: “Glory to God in the highest!”

  8. 🏃🐑 The shepherds hurry to Jesus

    The shepherds said, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing.” They hurried and found Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, just like the angel said. Then they told everyone they met about Him. They were some of the very first people to tell others about Jesus!

    🎬 Shepherds and sheep hurry in place, then TIPTOE to the manger and kneel. Shepherds turn to the class: “We saw Him!”

  9. 🌅🌟 Across the ocean: a night with no darkness!

    Far across the ocean, in the Americas, Samuel the Lamanite had promised a night with no darkness and a brand-new star. People who didn’t believe said it was too late. The prophet Nephi prayed all day, and the Lord told him that tomorrow Jesus would be born. That night the sun went down, and the sky stayed bright! SCROLL CHECK: Samuel!

    🎬 The Star rises slowly from a crouch to tiptoe, arms stretched wide. Everyone shades their eyes: “It’s still light!” Samuel’s Scroll Keeper: “It came true!”

  10. 👑🎁⭐ Wise men bring gifts to Jesus

    Wise men from the east saw His star and traveled a long way to find the new King. The star went ahead of them and stopped over the house where the young child was. They knelt, worshipped Him, and gave Him gold, frankincense and myrrh. SCROLL CHECK: a Star!

    🎬 The Star walks slowly across the room with the Wise Men following, and stops over the house. Wise Men kneel and hold out their gifts. Numbers Scroll Keeper: “It came true!” Everyone: “He came!”

Key verse

Isaiah 9:6 ↗
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given … and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”
In kid words: A baby is born for us! God’s Son is given to us like a gift. His names are Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.
🙌 “For unto us a child is born” = rock a baby in your arms · “unto us a son is given” = hold out both hands like giving a present · “Wonderful” = hands burst open: “Wow!” · “Counsellor” = cup a hand behind your ear to listen · “The mighty God” = strong-arm flex · “The everlasting Father” = draw a big circle in the air that never ends · “The Prince of Peace” = both hands over your heart and a calm, quiet smile

More verses

Isaiah 7:14 ↗
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”
In kid words: A special young woman will have a baby boy, and He will be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
Micah 5:2 ↗
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel”
In kid words: Little Bethlehem, you’re a tiny town, but the King of Israel will be born in you!
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 a Savior has been born for you. He is Jesus Christ!
John 3:16 ↗
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
In kid words: Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave us His Son, Jesus, so we can live with Them forever.

Forehead Guess words19 words

  • 👶 Baby Jesus
  • 👩 Mary
  • 🧔 Joseph
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🌾 Manger
  • 🏨 Innkeeper
  • 🧑‍🌾 Shepherd
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 👼 Angel
  • ⭐ Star
  • 👑 Wise Men
  • 🪙 Gold
  • 📜 Isaiah
  • 🗺️ Micah
  • 🧱 Samuel the Lamanite
  • 🤗 Immanuel
  • 🕊️ Prince of Peace
  • 🎁 Present
  • 🎄 Christmas
Clues for each word
  • Baby Jesus: The baby born in Bethlehem
  • Mary: Jesus’s mother
  • Joseph: Took care of Mary and baby Jesus
  • Bethlehem: The little town where Jesus was born
  • Manger: Animals eat hay out of it. Baby Jesus slept in it!
  • Innkeeper: Said there was no room
  • Shepherd: Watches sheep in the field at night
  • Sheep: Fluffy animal that says baa
  • Angel: Told the shepherds, “Fear not!”
  • Star: Led the wise men to Jesus
  • Wise Men: Followed the star and brought gifts
  • Gold: A shiny gift the wise men gave
  • Isaiah: Prophet who wrote, “Unto us a child is born”
  • Micah: Prophet who named Bethlehem 700 years early
  • Samuel the Lamanite: Stood on a wall and promised a new star
  • Immanuel: A name for Jesus that means “God with us”
  • Prince of Peace: One of Jesus’s names in Isaiah 9:6
  • Present: Jesus is the greatest one ever given
  • Christmas: The holiday when we celebrate Jesus’s birth
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Which town did the prophet Micah say Jesus would be born in?
    • A. Jerusalem
    • B. Bethlehem
    • C. Nazareth
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Bethlehem Micah named little Bethlehem about 700 years before Jesus was born (Micah 5:2)!

  2. What does the name Immanuel mean?
    • A. God with us
    • B. Little king
    • C. Shining star
    Show answer

    ✅ A. God with us Matthew 1:23 explains it: Immanuel means “God with us.”

  3. Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of…
    • A. Bethlehem
    • B. Peace
    • C. Stars
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Peace Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He helps us feel calm and be kind.

  4. Where did Mary lay baby Jesus?
    • A. In a castle
    • B. In a boat
    • C. In a manger
    Show answer

    ✅ C. In a manger There was no room in the inn, so He slept where the animals ate (Luke 2:7).

  5. What did the angel say first to the scared shepherds?
    • A. “Go back to sleep!”
    • B. “Count your sheep!”
    • C. “Fear not!”
    Show answer

    ✅ C. “Fear not!” Then the angel said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10).

  6. What did the wise men follow to find Jesus?
    • A. A star
    • B. A map
    • C. A river
    Show answer

    ✅ A. A star The star went ahead of them and stopped over the house where Jesus was (Matthew 2:9).

  7. Which Book of Mormon prophet promised a night with no darkness?
    • A. Nephi
    • B. Alma
    • C. Samuel the Lamanite
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Samuel the Lamanite Samuel promised it five years early, and the night before Jesus was born, the sky stayed bright (3 Nephi 1:13–15).

  8. What is the greatest gift Heavenly Father ever gave us?
    • A. A new bike
    • B. His Son, Jesus Christ
    • C. Snow days
    Show answer

    ✅ B. His Son, Jesus Christ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16).

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • He Sent His Son Children’s Songbook, p. 34

    It asks how Heavenly Father showed His love, and the answer is the greatest gift: He sent His Son. Find it ↗

  • Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus Children’s Songbook, p. 36

    Sing it right after the Samuel scroll comes true in the drama. Find it ↗

  • Away in a Manger Children’s Songbook, p. 42

    A quiet song everyone knows. Sing it softly while kids color their gift tags. Find it ↗

  • O Little Town of Bethlehem Hymns, no. 208

    Micah promised little Bethlehem, and this carol celebrates that little town. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

My Gift for Jesus

Hang your gift tag where you’ll see it every day, like your bedroom door or the Christmas tree. Each night this week, tell your family one time you gave Jesus your gift that day.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned that prophets like Isaiah and Micah promised hundreds of years early that Jesus would be born, even naming the town, Bethlehem, and every promise came true. We acted out the whole Nativity (ask who your child played!). Each child chose a gift to give Jesus this year and wrote it on a gift tag. Ask your child: what gift are you giving Jesus, and how can our family help?

📝 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?

🕯️ Christmas Symbols Show-and-Tell · 5 min

  1. Bring a few Christmas things: a star ornament, a toy or cotton-ball lamb, a candy cane (it looks like a shepherd’s staff), and a string of lights or your flashlight.
  2. Hold up one at a time and read a verse: Numbers 24:17 “there shall come a Star out of Jacob” · Genesis 22:8 “God will provide himself a lamb” · Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd” · Psalm 27:1 “The LORD is my light.”
  3. Ask: “How is Jesus like a star? A lamb? A shepherd? A light?”
  4. SAY“When you see these at Christmas, let them remind you of Jesus.”

🖍️ Draw & Guess: Christmas Edition · 5 min

  1. Tap Draw & Guess. One kid secretly sees a word from today (manger, star, sheep, Bethlehem) and draws it on your phone or tablet.
  2. The class guesses. No letters or words allowed in the drawing!
  3. Whoever guesses right draws next. No phone or tablet? Use a whiteboard or paper.

⚡ Old Testament Lightning Round · 4 min

  1. SAY“This is the last Sunday of our Old Testament year! Let’s see what you remember.”
  2. Give a clue, and kids stand up and shout the name: “Built a giant boat” (Noah) · “Led Israel through the Red Sea” (Moses) · “Beat Goliath with a sling” (David) · “Spent the night with lions” (Daniel) · “Swallowed by a big fish” (Jonah) · “A brave queen who saved her people” (Esther).
  3. Ask: “Which Old Testament story helped you learn the most about Jesus?”

🤫 Secret Christmas Service · 4 min

  1. Read Matthew 25:40: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
  2. SAY“When we serve someone, it’s like giving a gift to Jesus.”
  3. Brainstorm secret service for this week: make a card for a grandparent, clean up a sibling’s toys, shovel or sweep a neighbor’s walk with a parent, leave a kind note.
  4. Each kid picks one and keeps it a secret until next week.

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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