(Originally from a lesson given December 2016)
There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.
Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.
Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.
Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be.
Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.
Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.
Because He came, we are gathered tonight to worship Him, in bonds of brotherhood and love.
May His precious Spirit be with us, and may He ever be the center of our celebrations and indeed of our very lives, I pray in His holy name, amen.
-Thomas S. Monson
These Christmas songs speak of Christ testifying of his attributes lets practice these characteristics and weave them into our souls.
Oh, come, all ye faithful (Attribute Faithful)
Attribute- Faithful: The Apostle Paul taught that “faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does. Because He has experienced all our pains, afflictions, and infirmities, He knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties. Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever you work toward a worthy goal, you exercise faith.
Christ had faith in Heavenly father’s plan. Even when he was tempted by the devil. He did not give in. He knew of the plan and acted. Faith without action (Works) is dead
Apostle Quote: "If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing." Henery B. Eyring
Challenge: The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn about faith from the scriptures and living prophets. Read Hebrews 11; Alma 32:17–43; Ether 12:6–22; and Joseph Smith—History 1:11–20. Read two general conference talks on faith. Exercise your own faith by establishing a habit of prayer in your life. Begin by regularly saying your morning and evening prayers. After three weeks (21 Days) of following this pattern, discuss with a parent or leader what you have learned about faith and how daily personal prayer has strengthened your faith. In your journal express your feelings about faith and prayer.
Away in a Manger (Attribute Humble)
Attribute- Humble: "To be humble is to recognize gratefully your dependence on the lord. It is an acknowledgment that your talents and abilities are gifts from god. Humility is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual strength".
As the day of Jesus’s birth approached, Joseph left his home in Nazareth to take part in a census (see Luke 2:1–4). He brought Mary along and cared for her during their journey. They went to Bethlehem, the town where Joseph’s ancestors had lived, in order to fulfill their civic obligations. While they were there, “the days were accomplished that she should be delivered” (Luke 2:6), and Bethlehem became Jesus’s birthplace. “And [Mary] brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). Though King of kings, Jesus was born in a humble stable.
Apostle Quote: “I pray that we will resist the temptation to draw attention to ourselves and, instead, strive for a far greater honor: to become humble, genuine disciples of Jesus Christ.”.. “The greatest, most capable, most accomplished man who ever walked this earth was also the most humble. He performed some of His most impressive service in private moments, with only a few observers, whom He asked to ‘tell no man’ what He had done [see Luke 8:56]. When someone called Him ‘good,’ He quickly deflected the compliment, insisting that only God is truly good [see Mark 10:17–18]. Clearly the praise of the world meant nothing to Him. … We would do well to follow the example of our Master” - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Challenge: For the next week do a "Secret Service" for someone.
Here are a few ideas.
1.Wake up early and make school lunches for your family members.
2.Clean out your closet, and donate clothes you no longer use.
3.Make goodies to give to someone and leave it on their doorstep
4.Write someone in your family a secret “thank you” or “I love you” note.
5.Make your siblings’ beds
O Holy Night (Attribute- Charity/Love)
Attribute- Charity/Love: Charity is the pure love of Christ. It’s to see others as God sees them. When you are filled with charity, you obey God’s commandments and do all you can to serve others. It’s to love unconditionally.
What does it mean to have a ‘Pure Heart?” Pure in a spiritual sense means: Clean, blameless, unstained from guilt.
As we learn of Jesus Christ and strive to become like Him, we will begin to
feel His pure love in our lives and be prompted to love and serve others as He would.
Quote:
"Do we judge one another? Do we criticize each other for individual choices, thinking we know better, when in fact we rarely understand another’s unique circumstance or individual inspiration? I’ve learned that the best way to reclaim charity is to uncumber myself and simply love and serve the Lord. How do we do that? We start each day kneeling in prayer to our Father in Heaven, we hear His words through daily scripture study, and we follow the guidance we receive. We put Christ first, restoring charity’s circular love. “We love him, because he first loved us.”16 This is the reciprocating cycle of charity. “charity never faileth.” Choose ye therefore Christ the Lord. Choose to feast upon His word. Choose to trust in Him above. Choose to wait upon His love. Choose to give Him all your heart. Choose ye therefore that good part". -Bonnie D. Parkin
Scripture: In the Book of Mormon we learn the great truth that we “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that we may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that we may become the sons and daughters of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Moroni 7:48).
Challenge: Jesus’s sacrifice on our behalf was the greatest example of love and mercy. We can follow His example by extending that same love, mercy, and compassion to others wherever we can. Practice the behaviors below
Charity Suffereth long: Try to be more patient with people at school.
Charity Is Kind: Be friendly to everyone no matter how popular or unpopular they are.
Charity Envieth Not: We rise when we lift others. Celebrate your friend’s unique talents and gifts.
Charity Is Not Puffed Up: Do you find yourself thinking you are better than others because you have higher moral standards? Remember, although the Savior was perfect he was meek and loved all people. Try to be humble and kind.
Charity Is Not Easily Provoked: If someone offends you, rather than react ask yourself the following questions…. Is it possible they are having a bad day? Is there something going on that I do not understand causing them to act this way?
Charity Rejoiceth in the Truth: Remember that gossiping and spreading lies is evil. Do your best to avoid gossip and change the subject
Charity Believeth All Things, Hopeth All Things: Choose to see the good in people and be optimistic.
Charity Endureth All Things: Think of someone you know who has endured a trial well. Remind yourself that you too can-do hard things.
Charity Never Faileth: When you practiced charity in your relationships, you will develop many true and lasting
Angels We Have Heard On High (Attribute Hopeful)
Hopeful: Hope is a feeling of trust. It’s believing that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement.
Scripture: Nephi admonished those of his day, “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men … feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” - 2 Ne. 31:20.
Apostle Quote: Hope is one leg of a three-legged stool, together with faith and charity. These three stabilize our lives regardless of the rough or uneven surfaces we might encounter at the time. The scriptures are clear and certain about the importance of hope. The Apostle Paul taught that the scriptures were written to the end that we “might have hope.”- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Challenge: Apply the following steps to cultivate hope
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