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His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful

A mystery bag of symbols, the people who waited centuries for Him, and one name of Christ to carry into the new year

  • 🧭 Youth 12–13
  • Week 52
  • 📅 Sunday, December 27, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

The whole Old Testament was waiting for Jesus Christ, and every symbol and name the prophets gave Him teaches me who He is and why I can rejoice in Him.

I can find Jesus Christ in the Old Testament’s symbols and names, and choose one of His names to help me follow Him this coming year.

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

This Sunday closes a full year in the Old Testament, and the big reveal is that the whole book was pointing to Jesus Christ. Isaiah wrote that “unto us a child is born” and listed His names: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Micah named Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Balaam saw “a Star out of Jacob” (Numbers 24:17). Isaiah’s people said, “we have waited for him, and he will save us” (Isaiah 25:9). For centuries, faithful people held on to those promises without seeing them fulfilled.

The Book of Mormon adds a dramatic chapter to the Christmas story. Samuel the Lamanite prophesied that in five years the Savior would be born, with a night without darkness and a new star as signs (Helaman 14:2–5). As the deadline neared, unbelievers set a day to put the believers to death if the sign didn’t come (3 Nephi 1:9). The prophet Nephi prayed all day, and the Lord told him the sign would be given that very night. The sun set, and it stayed light (3 Nephi 1:12–21). In the Bible, Simeon had waited for years for the promised Messiah, and Anna, a widow of great age, served in the temple night and day; both recognized the baby Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought Him there (Luke 2:25–38).

Come, Follow Me this week invites us to look for Old Testament symbols of Christ (star, shepherd, lamb, water, rock, branch, light) and for His many names. Eleven- to fourteen-year-olds love a puzzle, and finding Christ hidden in plain sight across a whole year of reading is a satisfying finale. The manual also invites each person to choose one name or title of Jesus Christ to focus on in the new year. That fits naturally with setting new Children and Youth goals for 2027.

Keep this lesson joyful. Attendance may be small or full of cousins; visiting youth can jump right in because nothing depends on having been here before. The story is readers’ theater: four youth read from their seats, and you read the Lord’s words yourself. No one plays Jesus or Heavenly Father.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 25:9, Luke 2:8–16 and Luke 2:25–38, and skim 3 Nephi 1:4–21. Tap “I brought nothing,” so every step uses its no-supplies version. Play Symbol Clues. Hand out the four reading parts for Waiting for Him. Unpack the Isaiah 9:6 names, and play Symbol Showdown from your own scriptures. Finish with each youth silently choosing one name of Christ for 2027.

What to bring3 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. Fill the mystery bag. Keep it closed so nobody can peek.
  2. Bookmark Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 25:9, Luke 2:8–16, Luke 2:25–38 and 3 Nephi 1:13. Also mark the Symbol Showdown verses in John 1, 4, 6, 8 and 10.
  3. Pick the name of Christ you’ll focus on in 2027, and why. You’ll share it at the end.

If your class is wild

  • Right after Christmas break, energy swings wildly. Start with the mystery bag. Curiosity wakes everyone up.
  • Readers’ theater means reading, not performing. Pick readers who like to read aloud. Never force a shy youth to take a part.
  • Let one youth run the mystery bag, and another keep score for Symbol Showdown.
  • If the group is tiny, one reader can take two parts. Symbol Showdown can be one team racing the Big Timer.
  • End with real reverence. After the games, 30 quiet seconds before the testimony helps it land.

The 25-minute plan24 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 Mystery Bag

3 min

Pulling everyday objects out of a bag and connecting each to Christ sets up the whole lesson as a treasure hunt.

  1. SAY“Every object in this bag is a symbol the Old Testament uses for Jesus Christ. Pull one out without looking.”
  2. Hand the bag to a youth. For each object, teams race to explain how it points to Him. Look for a star, rock, water, light, twig, sheep and bread.
  3. The first team with a good answer scores. The twig is the Branch, and the sheep is the Lamb. Pass the bag to a new youth each time.
  4. SAY“We spent a whole year in the Old Testament. Here’s today’s reveal. It was about Him the whole time. People waited centuries for Him.”
🌪️ Only the youth holding the bag may reach in. No shaking or squeezing to guess.

Class screen: 🎒 Every object in the bag points to Jesus Christ. How? · Pull one out · First team to explain it scores

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A “mystery bag” (pillowcase or grocery bag) with 5–7 small objects: a star, a rock, a water bottle, a flashlight, a small twig, a cotton ball or toy sheep, a piece of bread

Symbol Clues

  1. SAY“I’ll give three clues for a symbol, one at a time. Guess it in as few clues as you can.”
  2. Use these symbols: star, rock, water, light, lamb, shepherd and bread.
  3. Once it’s guessed, the first team to explain how it points to Jesus Christ scores a point.
  4. SAY“We spent a whole year in the Old Testament. Here’s today’s reveal. It was about Him the whole time.”

Class screen: 🎭 Guess the symbol. How does it point to Christ? · Guess it, then explain it

2. Story

Readers’ Theater: Waiting for Him

8 min

Hearing people wait for centuries, and then rejoice, helps youth feel the joy of Christmas as the Old Testament’s happy ending.

  1. SAY“Four readers, no acting, no costumes. Just read it like it matters. For these people, it mattered more than anything.”
  2. Tap Roles in Teach Mode and give out the four reading parts. Readers stay in their seats with scriptures open.
  3. Show each scene. The Narrator reads it, then the named reader reads their verses. You read the Lord’s words to Nephi yourself.
  4. After scene 4, ask, “Would you have kept believing with that deadline?” After the last scene, ask, “What would it feel like to finally see Him?”
🌪️ Small class? One reader can take two parts. Visitors make great readers, so hand them a part right away.

Class screen: ⏳ They waited centuries for Him. Then He came. · Isaiah · Samuel the Lamanite · Nephi · Luke 2

3. Scripture

His Name Shall Be Called…

5 min

Unpacking the five names in Isaiah 9:6 shows youth what the Savior can be for them personally.

  1. SAY“Isaiah gave the Child five names. Let’s find out what each one means for you.”
  2. Read Isaiah 9:6 with the motions. Give each youth or pair one name: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father or The Prince of Peace.
  3. Give each one 60 seconds. When would a teenager need Jesus to be this? A Counsellor for a big decision. The Prince of Peace before a scary test.
  4. Have a youth read Isaiah 25:9. Ask, “Why is ‘we have waited for him’ good news?” Say the key verse once more without looking.

Class screen: ✨ Wonderful · Counsellor · Mighty God · Everlasting Father · Prince of Peace · Isaiah 9:6 · When do you need Him to be each one?

4. Game

Symbol Showdown

5 min

A scripture race lets youth discover the Savior’s own words about the symbols the Old Testament used for Him.

  1. SAY“I’ll call a reference. The first pair to find it and shout the symbol scores.”
  2. Make two teams, paired up with scriptures.
  3. Call John 1:29, lamb. John 8:12, light. John 4:14, water. John 10:11, shepherd. John 6:35, bread. Numbers 24:17, star. Isaiah 11:1, branch.
  4. For a bonus point, the finder explains in one sentence what that symbol teaches about Jesus.
  5. Let a youth read the last few references and keep score.

Class screen: 🔎 Find the verse, shout the symbol! · Lamb · Light · Water · Shepherd · Bread · Star · Branch · Rock

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures for each pair: their own, a classroom set, or Gospel Library on your phone or tablet or their phones

  1. SAY“I’ll read a verse and say ‘beep’ instead of the symbol.”
  2. Make two teams. Read from your scriptures: John 1:29, John 8:12, John 4:14, John 10:11, John 6:35 and Numbers 24:17.
  3. The first team to shout the missing symbol scores.
  4. For a bonus point, explain in one sentence what that symbol teaches about Jesus.
  5. Let a youth read the last few verses and keep score.

Class screen: 🔊 BEEP! Guess the missing symbol!

5. Testimony

A Name for 2027

3 min

End with testimony and one name of Christ each youth will carry into the new year.

  1. SAY“Simeon and Anna finally saw Him. This year we walk with Him every week in the New Testament.”
  2. Share your name of Christ for 2027. Then share your testimony of Him in a few sentences.
  3. Hand out cards. Each youth writes a name or title of Jesus Christ for this year. Then one Children and Youth goal that fits it.
  4. Invite a youth to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: ⭐ Choose one name of Jesus Christ for 2027 · Write it down · Add one goal that fits it

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: One index card per youth and a few pens

  1. SAY“Simeon and Anna finally saw Him. This year, we get to walk with Him every week.”
  2. Share the name of Christ you chose for 2027, and your testimony.
  3. Have everyone close their eyes and silently choose one name of Jesus Christ for this year. Then one goal that fits it.
  4. Invite a youth to say the closing prayer.
6. Talk it over

Real Talk

4 minBONUS

Honest questions connect the Christmas story and a year of Old Testament to their lives now.

  1. SAY“Here’s some real talk to close out the Old Testament.”
  2. Show one question at a time. Give ten quiet seconds before answers, and answer at least one yourself.
💬 Ask the class
  • The Nephite believers were mocked and threatened for waiting on a promise. What does it take to keep believing when people around you don’t?
  • Simeon and Anna waited years for the Messiah. Anna served in the temple night and day. What are you waiting on the Lord for right now?
  • Think of the symbols of Jesus: lamb, light, water, rock, shepherd, bread and star. Which one means the most to you?
  • Think back over this whole year in the Old Testament. What story or person helped you know Jesus better?

Class screen: 💬 Real talk

7. Wiggle break

Nativity Freeze

2 minBONUS

A freeze-dance with quick questions burns holiday sugar and reviews the story.

  1. SAY“Move while the music plays. When it stops, freeze. I’ll name someone who waited for Jesus.”
  2. Tap Freeze Dance.
  3. Call the shepherds, Samuel the Lamanite, Simeon, Anna or the wise men. The first frozen person to say how they waited for Him calls the next round.
  4. End on Simeon, who held the baby in the temple. Then everyone sits down quietly.
🌪️ If they’re too wild, switch to slow-motion dancing only.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🕺 Move! When the music stops, freeze and answer! · Shepherds · Samuel · Simeon · Anna · Wise men

Readers’ theater

Readers’ Theater: Waiting for Him

Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Helaman 14:2–5; 3 Nephi 1:4–21; Luke 2:8–38 ↗

Reading parts (volunteers, from their seats)

  • NarratorReads each scene from the shared screen, from their seat.
  • Voice of PromiseReads Isaiah 9:6 and the angel’s words in Luke 2:10–11 from the scriptures, from their seat.
  • SamuelReads scene 3, Samuel the Lamanite’s announcement, in a big, bold voice. Stays seated.
  • Simeon & AnnaReads Simeon’s words in Luke 2:29–32 and Anna’s in Luke 2:38 in the last scene, from their seat.

Scenes

  1. 📜👶 700 years early: “Unto us a child is born”

    Seven hundred years before Bethlehem, Isaiah wrote about a Child to be born. The government would be upon His shoulder. He even listed the Child’s names. Wonderful. Counsellor. The mighty God. The everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace.

    🙌 Narrator reads, then Voice of Promise reads Isaiah 9:6. Class, count the five names on your fingers.

  2. ⏳👀 Waiting… and waiting… and waiting

    Micah named the town: Bethlehem. Other prophets added more clues. And then generations of faithful people waited. Grandparents told grandchildren. Some people stopped believing. Others kept watching the sky.

    🙌 Narrator reads. Class, listen for who keeps waiting and who gives up.

  3. 🧱🏹 Samuel on the wall: five more years

    In the Americas, Samuel the Lamanite climbed a city wall. He shouted, in five years the Son of God will be born! The sign would be a night with no darkness, and a brand-new star. Angry people shot arrows at him. But not one could hit him.

    🙌 Samuel reads like it’s shouted from a wall, but stays seated. Class, listen for the two signs.

  4. 🙏🌅 A deadline, and Nephi prays all day

    Five years later, the unbelievers set a day. If the sign didn’t come, the believers would be put to death. Nephi bowed down and prayed all day for his people. Then the voice of the Lord came. Be of good cheer. The sign will be given tonight.

    🙌 Narrator reads. You read the Lord’s words to Nephi in 3 Nephi 1:13. Class, bow your heads while Nephi prays.

  5. 🌞⭐ The sun goes down, and it stays light

    When the sun set, the sky stayed bright. All night long there was no darkness. The doubters fell to the earth in amazement, and a new star appeared. Far away, the Savior was about to be born in Bethlehem.

    🙌 Narrator reads. Class, raise a hand the moment the sign comes true.

  6. 🐑👼 Shepherds hear the news first

    Outside Bethlehem, shepherds were watching their flocks at night. An angel appeared. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said, unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

    🙌 Narrator reads, then Voice of Promise reads the angel’s words in Luke 2:10–11.

  7. 👴👵 Simeon and Anna finally see Him

    Weeks later, Mary and Joseph brought the baby to the temple. Old Simeon had been promised he’d see the Messiah before he died. He took the baby in his arms and praised God. Then Anna the prophetess came in. She was very old, and served in the temple night and day. She gave thanks, and told everyone who was waiting.

    🙌 Simeon and Anna reads Luke 2:29–32, then Luke 2:38. Class, whisper “He’s here.”

Key verse

Isaiah 9:6 ↗
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
In plain words: A child is born for us. He will rule, and His names tell us who He is: Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
🙌 “unto us a child is born” = rock a baby · “the government shall be upon his shoulder” = tap your shoulder · “Wonderful” = jazz hands · “Counsellor” = hand to ear, listening · “The mighty God” = flex · “The everlasting Father” = draw a big circle with no end · “The Prince of Peace” = hands pressed together, calm

More verses

Isaiah 25:9 ↗
“Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
In plain words: Look, it’s Him! We waited for Him, and He will save us. Let’s celebrate!
Numbers 24:17 ↗
“there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel”
In plain words: A Star will come out of Jacob’s family, a King out of Israel.
Luke 2:11 ↗
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
In plain words: Today in Bethlehem, your Savior was born: Christ the Lord.
John 8:12 ↗
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
In plain words: Jesus is the light of the world. Follow Him and you won’t walk in the dark.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 📜 Isaiah
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🧱 Samuel the Lamanite
  • 🙏 Nephi
  • 🌞 Night Without Darkness
  • ⭐ New Star
  • 🐑 Shepherds
  • 👼 Angel
  • 👴 Simeon
  • 👵 Anna
  • 🎁 Wise Men
  • 🐑 Lamb of God
  • 💧 Living Water
  • 💡 Light of the World
  • 🧑‍🌾 Good Shepherd
  • 🕊️ Prince of Peace
  • 👂 Counsellor
  • 🍞 Bread of Life
Clues for each word
  • Isaiah: Wrote “unto us a child is born” 700 years early
  • Bethlehem: The little town Micah named
  • Samuel the Lamanite: Prophesied from a city wall; arrows couldn’t hit him
  • Nephi: Prayed all day before the sign came
  • Night Without Darkness: The sign in the Americas of Jesus’s birth
  • New Star: Appeared as a sign of His birth
  • Shepherds: First to hear the news from an angel
  • Angel: Said “unto you is born this day… a Saviour”
  • Simeon: Promised he would see the Messiah before he died
  • Anna: Elderly prophetess who served in the temple
  • Wise Men: Followed the star with gifts
  • Lamb of God: What John the Baptist called Jesus
  • Living Water: What Jesus offered the woman at the well
  • Light of the World: “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness”
  • Good Shepherd: Gives His life for the sheep
  • Prince of Peace: One of His names in Isaiah 9:6
  • Counsellor: The one who gives perfect advice
  • Bread of Life: Jesus said whoever comes to Him will never hunger
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown10 questions

  1. Which prophet wrote “unto us a child is born”?
    • A. Isaiah
    • B. Malachi
    • C. Jeremiah
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Isaiah Isaiah 9:6, about 700 years before the Savior’s birth.

  2. Which of these is NOT a name in Isaiah 9:6?
    • A. Wonderful
    • B. Good Shepherd
    • C. Prince of Peace
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Good Shepherd Good Shepherd is from John 10:11. Isaiah 9:6 lists Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  3. Balaam saw “a Star out of” whom?
    • A. Egypt
    • B. Babylon
    • C. Jacob
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Jacob Numbers 24:17. The star became a sign of the Savior’s birth.

  4. How many years early did Samuel the Lamanite announce the sign?
    • A. One
    • B. Five
    • C. Forty
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Five Helaman 14:2: in five years the Son of God would come.

  5. What was the sign of Jesus’s birth in the Americas?
    • A. An earthquake
    • B. A night with no darkness
    • C. A rainbow
    Show answer

    ✅ B. A night with no darkness 3 Nephi 1:15: the sun set, but it stayed light all night.

  6. What did Nephi do when the believers were threatened?
    • A. Ran away
    • B. Prayed all day
    • C. Built a wall
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Prayed all day 3 Nephi 1:11–13. The Lord answered: the sign would come that night.

  7. Who heard the news of Jesus’s birth first in Luke 2?
    • A. The shepherds
    • B. King Herod
    • C. The priests in the temple
    Show answer

    ✅ A. The shepherds An angel came to shepherds watching their flocks by night (Luke 2:8–11).

  8. Who was promised he would see the Messiah before he died?
    • A. Zacharias
    • B. Joseph
    • C. Simeon
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Simeon Luke 2:25–26. He held the baby Jesus in the temple.

  9. Jesus said, “I am the light of the” what?
    • A. Temple
    • B. World
    • C. Night
    Show answer

    ✅ B. World John 8:12. Followers of Jesus don’t walk in darkness.

  10. What does Isaiah 25:9 say about the Lord?
    • A. “We have forgotten him”
    • B. “He is far away”
    • C. “We have waited for him”
    Show answer

    ✅ C. “We have waited for him” “We have waited for him, and he will save us.” The wait ended in joy.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Joy to the World Hymns, no. 201

    The waiting is over: the perfect opening hymn for this finale. Find it ↗

  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hymns, no. 209

    Packed with names and titles of Christ, just like Isaiah 9:6. Find it ↗

  • I Know That My Redeemer Lives Hymns, no. 136

    The baby they waited for is the living Redeemer we follow now. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

My Name for 2027

Put the name of Jesus Christ you chose where you’ll see it every day, like your lock screen, your mirror or the front of your scriptures. Each time you see it, ask, “How can He be that for me today?” Then read Luke 1 or Matthew 1, next week’s chapters, to start the New Testament strong.

Text the parents

Today in class we finished the Old Testament by finding Jesus Christ in its symbols, like the lamb, light, water, rock and star. We learned the names in Isaiah 9:6: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. We read about people who waited for Him, from Samuel the Lamanite to Simeon and Anna. Ask your youth which name of Jesus Christ they chose for 2027, and why.

📝 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?

🎶 Names in the Hymns · 5 min

  1. Open the Hymns in Gospel Library or a hymnbook. Teams get 2 minutes to find names and titles of Jesus Christ in Christmas hymns.
  2. Read the lists aloud. Ask, “Which name surprised you? Which one do you need most right now?”

🌿 The Branch · 4 min

  1. Read Isaiah 11:1–2 and Jeremiah 23:5. Jesse was King David’s father. The “Branch” is the King who would come from his family.
  2. Ask, “Why is a tiny branch growing out of an old stump a good symbol for Jesus?” It’s new life from something that looked finished.

📅 Year in Review · 5 min

  1. Go around the circle. Each youth names one Old Testament person from this year, like Noah, Ruth or Daniel. Then one way that person points to Jesus Christ.
  2. Keep going until someone gets stuck. Then a new round starts with them.

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.

All Youth 12–13 lessons