Gospel Sparks Join the beta

Mine Eyes Have Seen Thy Salvation

Simeon and Anna waited a lifetime for the promised Messiah; we trace His names and symbols through the Old Testament and choose one to carry into the New Testament year

  • 🏔️ Youth 16–18
  • Week 52
  • 📅 Sunday, December 27, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Every promise of the Old Testament points to Jesus Christ; the faithful who waited for Him found Him, and I can rejoice in my Redeemer and come to know Him by His names.

I can rejoice in Jesus Christ, recognize Him in the symbols and names of the scriptures, and choose one of His names to come to know better this year.

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

This week closes a year in the Old Testament, and the whole book has been pointing somewhere. Isaiah promised that a child would be born whose name would be 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 wrote that the people would one day say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him” (Isaiah 25:9). The manual invites us to rejoice in our Redeemer and to notice the symbols (star, shepherd, lamb, water, rock, branch, light) and titles that teach who He is.

The story today is Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:22–38), perfect for older youth because it is about waiting faithfully for a promise. Simeon was just and devout, and the Holy Ghost had revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Lord’s Christ. Anna, a widow of great age, served in the temple night and day with fasting and prayer. When Mary and Joseph brought the forty-day-old Jesus to the temple, they offered two birds, the offering the law allowed for families who could not afford a lamb (Luke 2:24; Leviticus 12:8). The quiet irony is striking: they couldn’t afford a lamb, and they were carrying the Lamb of God. Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God that his eyes had seen His salvation (Luke 2:29–32); Anna gave thanks and spoke of Him to everyone looking for redemption (2:38).

Some doctrine for your prep: Jesus Christ is called “The everlasting Father” not because He is Heavenly Father (He is not) but because He is the Creator of heaven and earth, because He becomes the Father of all who are spiritually born again through Him (Mosiah 5:7), and because He speaks with the Father’s authority. Your youth will meet these ideas in the New Testament starting next week, so today is a bridge: they can choose one name or title of Christ to focus on during 2027.

Holiday Sundays are unpredictable. With only two or three youth, do the story as a scripture reading with discussion and skip the games. With visitors, give them parts and include them warmly. Keep the tone joyful: this is a celebration, not a test.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 2:22–38 and Isaiah 9:6. Do the 60 Names hook, let Teach Mode run the Simeon and Anna scenes with youth reading, study the five names in Isaiah 9:6 together, and close by inviting everyone to choose one name of Christ for the new year.

What to bring5 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. Read Luke 2:22–38 slowly. Notice every mention of the Holy Ghost and of waiting.
  2. Make the symbol cards. Backs: STAR Numbers 24:17; Matthew 2:2; Revelation 22:16 · SHEPHERD Psalm 23; John 10:11 · LAMB Genesis 22:8; Exodus 12:5; John 1:29 · WATER Exodus 17:6; John 4:14 · ROCK Psalm 118:22; Helaman 5:12 · BRANCH Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5 · LIGHT Isaiah 9:2; John 8:12.
  3. Choose which name of Jesus Christ you’ll focus on in 2027 so you can share it at the end.
  4. Text your class on Saturday: “Christmas lesson Sunday. Friends and cousins welcome!”

If your class is wild

  • The Sunday after Christmas can feel sleepy. Start with the 60 Names race right away; energy first, reverence later.
  • Give Simeon and Anna to youth who read with feeling. These are tender scenes and deserve good readers.
  • Visiting cousins or friends? Give them parts in the story or make them team captains. Nothing welcomes like a job.
  • If it’s a tiny class, turn the games into a pair activity with you and skip the bonus steps. The story and the names are the core.
  • Handle the blanket bundle reverently. Treat it as you’d want the class to treat the real moment.

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

60 Names

2 min

A fast brainstorm race wakes up a post-Christmas class and shows how many ways the scriptures describe Jesus Christ.

  1. SAY“You have 60 seconds. As a class, call out every name or title of Jesus Christ you can think of. I’ll count. Go!” Start the Big Timer.
  2. Count on your fingers out loud (Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, Lamb of God, Good Shepherd, Emmanuel, Light of the World…).
  3. When time’s up, announce the total. Say: “Isaiah fit five of His names into one verse, 700 years before He was born. Today we find out why the faithful waited so long for Him, and what His names mean for us.”
⏱️ Big Timer (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: ⏱️ 60 seconds: how many names of Jesus Christ can we name? · Call them out!

2. Story

Scripture Scene: Waiting for the Consolation of Israel

6 min

Youth read Simeon and Anna’s story and feel what it meant to wait a lifetime for the Savior and finally see Him.

  1. Hand out roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Give Simeon, Anna and Isaiah to readers who read with feeling.
  2. Mary holds the folded blanket as the infant Jesus. No one plays Jesus; handle the bundle reverently.
  3. Read each scene or hand narration to a strong reader, and pause for the action cue.
  4. After the last scene, ask: “Simeon and Anna waited decades. What kept them watching when so many others gave up?”

Class screen: 🕊️ Waiting for the Consolation of Israel · Luke 2:22–38

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A folded blanket or small baby blanket to represent the infant Jesus in the temple scene (no youth plays Jesus)

  1. Hand out roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Give Simeon, Anna and Isaiah to readers who read with feeling.
  2. Mary cradles her empty arms as if holding a baby. In scene 6 she mimes placing the child in Simeon’s arms. No one plays Jesus.
  3. Read each scene or hand narration to a strong reader, and pause for the action cue.
  4. After the last scene, ask: “Simeon and Anna waited decades. What kept them watching when so many others gave up?”
3. Wiggle break

Hymn Title Charades

2 min

A quick, silly team race burns post-holiday energy and keeps the Christmas spirit.

  1. Split into two teams. One player from each team gets a Christmas hymn title whispered to them; they act it out silently for their team.
  2. Titles: Joy to the World · Silent Night · Away in a Manger · O Little Town of Bethlehem · Hark! The Herald Angels Sing · Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains.
  3. First team to guess the title scores. Switch actors each round.

Class screen: 🎶 Hymn Title Charades: act it out, no talking!

4. Scripture

His Name Shall Be Called

4 min

Pairs study one of the five names in Isaiah 9:6 and teach the class what it says about the Savior.

  1. Read Isaiah 9:6 together and teach the five-finger motions. Say it twice.
  2. Give each pair one name and a cross-reference: Wonderful (Isaiah 25:1) · Counsellor (Alma 37:37) · The mighty God (Isaiah 12:2) · The everlasting Father (Mosiah 5:7) · The Prince of Peace (John 14:27).
  3. SAY“You have 60 seconds to read it, then 20 seconds to teach us: what this name tells us about Jesus Christ and when someone your age might need Him in that role.”
  4. After The everlasting Father, clarify: Jesus is not Heavenly Father. He is called Father because He created the earth, because those who are spiritually reborn become His children (Mosiah 5:7), and because He speaks with the Father’s authority.

Class screen: ✋ Wonderful · Counsellor · Mighty God · Everlasting Father · Prince of Peace · Isaiah 9:6

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures for each pair (their own, a classroom set from the library, or Gospel Library on their phones)

  1. Read Isaiah 9:6 together and teach the five-finger motions. Say it twice.
  2. Read each cross-reference aloud from your scriptures (Isaiah 25:1 · Alma 37:37 · Isaiah 12:2 · Mosiah 5:7 · John 14:27) and assign each pair one name.
  3. Give pairs 30 seconds to decide what their name tells us about Jesus Christ and when someone their age might need Him in that role, then 20 seconds to teach it.
  4. After The everlasting Father, clarify: Jesus is not Heavenly Father. He is called Father because He created the earth, because those who are spiritually reborn become His children (Mosiah 5:7), and because He speaks with the Father’s authority.
5. Game

Symbols of Christ Hunt

4 min

A team scripture hunt shows how the Old Testament used everyday symbols to point to Jesus Christ.

  1. Split into two or three teams with scriptures. Deal out the seven symbol cards.
  2. Each team reads the references on the back of each card and prepares a one-sentence answer: “This symbol teaches that Jesus Christ…”
  3. Teams take turns sharing. A point for each clear sentence; a bonus point for naming a Christmas tradition that uses that symbol (a star on the tree, lights, shepherds in a nativity).
  4. Ask: “Which symbol means the most to you right now, and why?”

Class screen: ⭐ Star · Shepherd · Lamb · Water · Rock · Branch · Light · How does it point to Jesus Christ?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures for each pair (their own, a classroom set from the library, or Gospel Library on their phones), Seven symbol cards: STAR · SHEPHERD · LAMB · WATER · ROCK · BRANCH · LIGHT, each with its references written on the back (see prep)

  1. Split into two or three teams. You read one reference at a time from your scriptures without saying the symbol (Numbers 24:17 · John 10:11 · Genesis 22:8 · John 4:14 · Psalm 118:22 · Isaiah 11:1 · John 8:12).
  2. The first team to stand and name the symbol (star, shepherd, lamb, water, rock, branch, light) gets a point, and another point for finishing the sentence: “This symbol teaches that Jesus Christ…”
  3. Bonus point for naming a Christmas tradition that uses that symbol.
  4. Ask: “Which symbol means the most to you right now, and why?”
6. Game

Draw & Guess: Christmas Symbols

4 minBONUS

A fun bonus round if you have time.

  1. Tap Draw & Guess. One volunteer draws a word from today’s list on your phone or tablet; the class guesses.
  2. Rotate artists every round.
🖍️ Draw & Guess (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🎨 Draw & Guess: Christmas symbols

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A team quiz to review the promises and their fulfillment.

  1. Split into two teams; captains answer after a five-second huddle.
  2. Steal rule: a missed question can be stolen by naming the verse.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown

8. Talk it over

Rejoice in My Redeemer

5 min

An honest, joyful conversation about waiting on the Lord and finding Christ in our own lives.

  1. Sit in a circle. Ask one question at a time and let silence work.
  2. Share your own answers too, including a time you waited on the Lord.
💬 Ask the class
  • Simeon received a personal promise from the Holy Ghost and waited years for it. What personal promises has the Lord made to you, through a patriarchal blessing, a priesthood blessing or a prompting?
  • Mary and Joseph couldn’t afford a lamb, yet they carried the Lamb of God. What does that teach you about how God works through people who feel they don’t have much to offer?
  • Anna couldn’t keep the news to herself. Who in your life needs to hear what you know about Jesus Christ, and what’s holding you back?
  • Why does knowing that Jesus Christ came to save us make Christmas joyful even when life isn’t easy?
  • Next week we start the New Testament. What do you want to understand better about Jesus Christ this year?

Class screen: 💬 Rejoice in my Redeemer

9. Testimony

A Name for 2027

2 min

End quietly, with a personal focus for the New Testament year.

  1. Lower your voice. Share the name of Jesus Christ you’ve chosen to focus on in 2027 and why, then your testimony of Him in a sentence or two.
  2. Hand out cards. Each youth writes one name or title of Christ they want to know better this year and tucks it in their scriptures or phone case.
  3. Invite a youth to offer the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🕯️ Choose one name of Jesus Christ to know better in 2027 · Write it · Keep it · Watch for Him

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: An index card for each person, and a few pens

  1. Lower your voice. Share the name of Jesus Christ you’ve chosen to focus on in 2027 and why, then your testimony of Him in a sentence or two.
  2. Invite each youth to type one name or title of Christ they want to know better this year into a phone note, or simply to choose one silently and remember it.
  3. Invite a youth to offer the closing prayer.

Story drama

Waiting for the Consolation of Israel

Isaiah 9:6; Luke 2:22–38; 3 Nephi 1:15–21 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • NarratorReads the setup for each scene, from Isaiah’s day to the temple in Jerusalem.
  • IsaiahOpens the story by reading Isaiah 9:6 from the scriptures.
  • SimeonThe old man promised by the Holy Ghost; gently receives the blanket bundle and reads Luke 2:29–32.
  • AnnaThe prophetess who never leaves the temple; gives thanks and tells everyone about the child.
  • MaryCarries the blanket bundle into the temple with Joseph and hands it to Simeon.
  • JosephCarries the offering: two turtledoves (pantomime).
  • Temple CrowdEveryone else: worshippers, merchants and people who “looked for redemption” who turn to listen to Anna.

Scenes

  1. 📜✨ Isaiah’s promise: a child, a Son

    About seven hundred years before Jesus was born, Isaiah promised Israel a child who would carry the government on His shoulder, a Son with names no human king could claim.

    🎬 Isaiah stands and reads Isaiah 9:6. The Temple Crowd repeats each name after him in a whisper.

  2. 🤫⏳ Four hundred quiet years

    After Malachi, no new prophet speaks in the Old Testament for about four hundred years. Persians, Greeks, then Romans rule the land. Some people give up. Others keep watching for the promise, which they called the consolation of Israel.

    🎬 The Temple Crowd slowly sits and looks at the floor. Two or three stay standing, watching the door.

  3. 🧓🕊️ Simeon gets a promise of his own

    In Jerusalem lives Simeon, a righteous, devoted man. The Holy Ghost has told him something personal: he won’t die until he has seen the Lord’s Christ with his own eyes. So he keeps living, and keeps waiting.

    🎬 Simeon reads Luke 2:25–26 and puts a hand over his heart.

  4. 👵🙏 Anna never leaves the temple

    Anna, a prophetess from the tribe of Asher, lost her husband after only seven years of marriage and has been a widow for decades. She serves in the temple night and day, fasting and praying.

    🎬 Anna kneels near the front of the room. The Temple Crowd bows their heads with her for five silent seconds.

  5. 🕊️🕊️ A poor couple brings two birds

    Forty days after the birth, Mary and Joseph bring their baby to the temple. They offer two birds, the offering the law allowed for families who couldn’t afford a lamb. They can’t afford a lamb. They are carrying the Lamb of God.

    🎬 Mary carries the blanket bundle; Joseph carries two imaginary birds. Everyone freezes as the Narrator repeats: “They are carrying the Lamb of God.”

  6. 🧓👶 “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation”

    Led by the Spirit, Simeon comes into the temple at that exact moment. He takes the child in his arms and praises God. After a lifetime of waiting, he is ready: he has seen the salvation of the whole world.

    🎬 Mary gently places the bundle in Simeon’s arms. Simeon reads Luke 2:29–32 slowly, then hands the bundle back.

  7. 👵📣 Anna can’t stop talking about Him

    Anna arrives in that same hour. She gives thanks to the Lord and starts telling everyone who has been hoping for redemption: He’s here. The one we’ve waited for is here.

    🎬 Anna walks through the Temple Crowd whispering, “He’s here.” Each person she reaches stands up and turns toward Mary.

  8. 🌎🌟 Meanwhile, a world away

    Far across the ocean, faithful Nephites had also been waiting, some even threatened for their belief. On the day before the Savior’s birth, the Lord told their prophet Nephi that He would come into the world the very next day. That night the sky stayed bright and a new star appeared. The same God keeps His promises to you.

    🎬 Narrator summarizes 3 Nephi 1:12–21. Everyone looks up as if at a sky that won’t get dark, then says together: “Every promise kept.”

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, a Son is given to us. He will carry the weight of ruling on His shoulders, and His names tell who He is: Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
🙌 Count the five names on five fingers: Wonderful (thumb) · Counsellor (pointer) · The mighty God (middle) · The everlasting Father (ring) · The Prince of Peace (pinky). Say the verse together twice, then say just the names with eyes closed.

More verses

Luke 2:29–32 ↗
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
In plain words: Lord, You kept Your promise, so now I can die in peace. I’ve seen with my own eyes the Savior You prepared for everyone: a light for all nations and the glory of Israel.
Isaiah 25:9 ↗
“And it shall be said in that day, 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: One day people will say: This is our God! We waited for Him and He will save us. We’ll be glad and celebrate His salvation.
Numbers 24:17 ↗
“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel”
In plain words: I will see Him, but not yet; He isn’t near yet. A Star will come out of Jacob and a King will rise from Israel.
John 8:12 ↗
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 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 said: I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t walk in darkness; you’ll have the light of life.

Forehead Guess words17 words

  • 🧓 Simeon
  • 👵 Anna
  • 🕊️ Turtledoves
  • 🐑 Lamb of God
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🧑‍🌾 Good Shepherd
  • 💧 Living Water
  • 🪨 Rock
  • 🌿 Branch
  • 💡 Light of the World
  • 🕊️ Prince of Peace
  • 🧭 Counsellor
  • 🤝 Immanuel
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • 💛 Redeemer
  • 👑 Messiah
Clues for each word
  • Simeon: Promised he’d see the Christ before he died
  • Anna: Prophetess who served in the temple night and day
  • Turtledoves: The offering of a family who couldn’t afford a lamb
  • Lamb of God: John the Baptist’s name for Jesus
  • Star: Balaam saw one come out of Jacob
  • Good Shepherd: He gives His life for the sheep
  • Living Water: What Jesus offered the woman at the well
  • Rock: A sure foundation to build on
  • Branch: Grows out of the root of Jesse
  • Light of the World: Follow Him and you won’t walk in darkness
  • Prince of Peace: The last of Isaiah’s five names
  • Counsellor: Isaiah 9:6: the one who guides you
  • Immanuel: Means “God with us”
  • Bethlehem: Micah named it 700 years early
  • Temple: Where Simeon held the baby
  • Redeemer: He buys us back from sin and death
  • Messiah: Means “the Anointed One,” like Christ
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown9 questions

  1. What did the Holy Ghost promise Simeon?
    • A. He’d become high priest
    • B. He’d see the Lord’s Christ before he died
    • C. He’d find the wise men
    Show answer

    ✅ B. He’d see the Lord’s Christ before he died Luke 2:26. He waited years for that promise.

  2. What did Mary and Joseph offer at the temple?
    • A. Two turtledoves or pigeons
    • B. A spotless lamb
    • C. Gold, frankincense and myrrh
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Two turtledoves or pigeons Luke 2:24, the offering for families who couldn’t afford a lamb (Leviticus 12:8).

  3. Anna was a prophetess from which tribe?
    • A. Judah
    • B. Levi
    • C. Asher
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Asher Luke 2:36 spells it “Aser.” She served in the temple night and day.

  4. How many names of the Savior are in Isaiah 9:6?
    • A. Three
    • B. Five
    • C. Seven
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Five Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

  5. Why is Jesus Christ called “The everlasting Father”?
    • A. He is Heavenly Father
    • B. He was the oldest prophet
    • C. He is Creator and Father of the spiritually reborn
    Show answer

    ✅ C. He is Creator and Father of the spiritually reborn He is not Heavenly Father; see Mosiah 5:7 for how we become His children.

  6. Who prophesied “there shall come a Star out of Jacob”?
    • A. Balaam
    • B. Malachi
    • C. Daniel
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Balaam Numbers 24:17, centuries before the wise men followed a star.

  7. Simeon called the child “a light to lighten” whom?
    • A. The priests
    • B. The Gentiles
    • C. The shepherds
    Show answer

    ✅ B. The Gentiles Luke 2:32. Jesus came for all people, not just Israel.

  8. What sign of Jesus’s birth did the Nephites see?
    • A. An earthquake
    • B. A rainbow
    • C. A night with no darkness
    Show answer

    ✅ C. A night with no darkness 3 Nephi 1:15–21, just as Samuel the Lamanite had prophesied.

  9. What book does your class start studying next week?
    • A. The New Testament
    • B. The Book of Mormon
    • C. The Doctrine and Covenants
    Show answer

    ✅ A. The New Testament Come, Follow Me for 2027 covers the New Testament.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

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

    It greets the newborn King with titles like Prince of Peace, echoing Isaiah 9:6. Find it ↗

  • Silent Night Hymns, no. 204

    A quiet, reverent close after the Simeon and Anna scenes. Find it ↗

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

    Rejoicing in our Redeemer, the manual’s theme for Christmas week. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

One Name for the New Year

Keep the name of Jesus Christ you chose where you’ll see it. As you start the New Testament next week, watch for that name or role in the Savior’s life and write down each time you find it. Before New Year’s, tell one person, like Anna did, why you’re grateful He came.

Text the parents

Today in class we read about Simeon and Anna, who waited a lifetime to see the promised Messiah and recognized Him as a baby in the temple (Luke 2:22–38). We studied the five names of Christ in Isaiah 9:6 and the symbols that point to Him. Each youth chose one name of Jesus Christ to focus on during 2027 as we begin the New Testament. Ask your youth which name they chose, and share one of yours.

📝 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?

🎼 Titles in the Hymns · 5 min

  1. Open the Christmas section of the hymnbook or Gospel Library. In pairs, scan the titles and verses of three hymns for names or titles of Christ.
  2. Make a class list, then match as many as you can to an Old Testament verse (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9).
  3. Ask: “Which title would you want to sing about if you wrote a new Christmas hymn?”

⏳ Waiting Well · 5 min

  1. Read Isaiah 40:31 and Luke 2:25, 37. List what Simeon and Anna did while they waited (stayed righteous, stayed close to the temple, fasted, prayed, listened to the Spirit).
  2. Ask: “What are people your age waiting on: mission calls, college letters, healing, a friend coming back? What does waiting well look like?”

🐑 The Lamb They Couldn’t Afford · 4 min

  1. Read Leviticus 12:6–8 and Luke 2:22–24. Point out that the two birds were the offering for families too poor for a lamb.
  2. Read John 1:29. Ask: “What does it mean that the Lamb of God came into a family that couldn’t afford a lamb?”

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 16–18 lessons