Here is our finished Christmas tree with the ornaments from the stories of Christ. Enjoy!
Stories of Christ: Story 51
Christmas Celebration
Christmas day I like to share some of the following videos and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Video
Three Christmas video from the church, they bring in the Christmas Spirit.
Story of Christ: Story 50
Latter-Day Witnesses
Video
Testimonies of Jesus Christ from modern day apostles and prophets.
Quote/Principle
The principle of the day is that Latter-day prophets and apostles continue to testify of Christ and His divine mission and lessons from His life. We can continue to learn from them. The quote is from President Monson tying his testimony into Christmas.
“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.”
President Thomas S. Monson, Because He Came, Dec. 2011, Christmas Devotional
Ornament
The current First Presidency reminds us that the Lord continues to reveal His truth to us, and that they continue to testify of Christ.
Stories of Christ: Story 49
A Review
Video
These videos are a great review of many of the stories of Christ visited over the past few weeks. The first is narrated by scriptures, the second is a music video to O Holy Night
Quote/Principle
Our responsibility is to share the teachings and stories we have learned with others, to be a witness of Jesus Christ. To do this we must be converted to Him.
We serve as witnesses of Jesus Christ through our baptism, our membership in his Church, our partaking of the sacrament, and our prayers and other actions in his name. But our duty to be witnesses of Jesus Christ requires more than this, and I fear that some of us fall short. Latter-day Saints can become so preoccupied with our own agendas that we can forget to witness and testify of Christ… How do members become witnesses? The original Apostles were eyewitnesses to the ministry and resurrection of the Savior. He told them, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” However, he cautioned them that their witnessing would be after they had received the Holy Ghost. An eyewitness was not enough. Even the witness and testimony of the original Apostles had to be rooted in the testimony of the Holy Ghost.
Dallin H. Oaks, Witnesses of Christ, Oct 1990, General Conference
Ornament
The needles of the tree point upward to heaven. This can remind us to look up, remember the lessons of Jesus Christ, witness of them to those around us, and prepare for the coming of Christ.
Stories of Christ: Story 48
Apostles see the Risen Lord
Video
The first video is of Christ appearing on the road to Emmaus. The second is His appearance to the apostle Thomas.
Quote/Principle
As we follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ our hearts will burn within us and we will know the truthfulness of the gospel.
“In our walks along the road called life, in our study of the words of Luke and the other Gospel writers, we too rejoice in those treasured moments with the Lord. And in seeking to live in accordance with his commandments, and in studying his word, we might say, as the two disciples said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). Our hearts do burn and ever shall, so long as we do the will of the Lord, so long as we read Luke, and the others, with an eye and a heart single to the glory of our God and the miracle of his Son.”
Neal E. Lambert and Richard H. Cracroft, The Powerful Voices of the Gospels, New Era Magazine, January 1973
Ornament
Our hearts can burn with the spirit.
Stories of Christ: Story 47
Jesus Appears to the Nephites
Video
Quote/Principle
This is a parenting principle taught in the appearance of Jesus to the Nephites and how he can help us protect our children in today's world.
Remember that before the Savior’s appearance, there were tempests, earthquakes, fires, and three days of profound darkness (see 3 Nephi 8). I have often thought about the children who experienced these events. And I can only imagine the fear and concern in the hearts of the parents. And then the Savior appeared and commanded the multitude “that their little children should be brought” to Him (3 Nephi 17:11). How eager those parents must have been to bring their children to the Savior. And then they watched as the Savior wept over their children, blessed them one by one, prayed unto the Father for them, and called down angels to minister unto them (see 3 Nephi 17:21, 24). This account reminds us that it is the Savior who is the great protector, the ultimate teacher, and the eternal source of love and healing. As the darkness of this day surrounds us, we are also commanded to bring our children to the Savior, and as Elder Ballard has reminded us, “we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are” Margaret S. Liffereth, Behold Your Little Ones, Oct 2006, General Conference
Ornament
The ornament is a small Book of Mormon which is put in the branches of the tree.
Stories of Christ: Story 46
Resurrection
Video
The first video is the bible video depicting the events to the resurrection. The second video is an Easter video that ends with President Monson testifying the Jesus has risen.
Quote/Principle
The resurrection is a miracle that is central to the plan of salvation. Because of it we all will be resurrected and this brings such comfort and hope.
Whenever the cold hand of death strikes, there shines through the gloom and the darkness of that hour the triumphant figure of the Lord Jesus Christ, He, the Son of God, who by His matchless and eternal power overcame death. He is the Redeemer of the world. He gave His life for each of us. He took it up again and became the firstfruits of them that slept. He, as King of Kings, stands triumphant above all other kings. He, as the Omnipotent One, stands above all rulers. He is our comfort, our only true comfort, when the dark shroud of earthly night closes about us as the spirit departs the human form. Gordon B. Hinckley, Glorious Easter Morn, April 1996 General Conference
Ornament
The resurrected Christ
Stories of Christ: Story 45
Way of Suffering/ Crucifixion
Video
3 videos, the first is Christ's crucifixion, the second is Him being laid in the tomb, the third is Elder Holland discussing the Saviors last moments with video as well.
Quote/Principle
There are so many good quotes about the atonement. This week I taught a lesson from Gordon B. Hinckley's teachings about the atonement and it has amazing testimony. Whatever quote is used the principle of Jesus Christ voluntarily giving up His life for us is an amazing miracle. The quote below is from the talk included in the video. It talks about the Savior's understanding of being alone and how because of that we need not be alone.
“Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, None Were With Him, April 2009, General Conference
Ornament
The Holly's sharp leaves represent the crown of thorns Christ wore, the red berries represent His blood.
Stories of Christ: Story 44
The Garden of Gethsemane
Video
Quote/Principle
There in the quiet isolation of the Garden of Gethsemane, He knelt among the gnarled olive trees, and in some incredible way that none of us can fully comprehend, the Savior took upon Himself the sins of the world. Even though His life was pure and free of sin, He paid the ultimate penalty for sin—yours, mine, and everyone who has ever lived. His mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish were so great they caused Him to bleed from every pore (see Luke 22:44; D&C 19:18). And yet Jesus suffered willingly so that we might all have the opportunity to be washed clean—through having faith in Him, repenting of our sins, being baptized by proper priesthood authority, receiving the purifying gift of the Holy Ghost by confirmation, and accepting all other essential ordinances. Without the Atonement of the Lord, none of these blessings would be available to us, and we could not become worthy and prepared to return to dwell in the presence of God.
M. Russell Ballard, The Atonement and the Value of One Soul, April 2004, General Conference
Ornament
This tree represents one of the many that surrounded Jesus as he suffered for our sins and heartaches. What a miracle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)