I love the Spirit in these devotionals. This helps make the Christmas season feel like Christmas to us!

Complete Devotionals HERE.




Here are a few more videos on this topic:

I started with a simple 3’ tree, homemade ornaments, and a set of Nativity ornaments. The next year, I was introduced to the idea of starting before the world began with the pre-mortal council in heaven and Christ’s calling as our Savior. We then learned about the Creation, Adam and Eve and the Fall and our need for the atonement. I love beginning at the beginning because it helps us see the whole picture and understand Christ’s central role in the Plan of Salvation and how much we all need Him.

Over the years, as I’ve continued studying the major prophets throughout the ages and their testimonies of Christ, I have been deeply impressed and amazed at the beauty of the Plan of Salvation and at how all things truly testify of Christ!

So many prophets and events were types of Christ, which provide powerful lessons about the atonement and Christ’s mission. I love starting at the council in heaven, the creation, and the fall, and then each day, moving closer to Christ’s birth, and feeling the anticipation of His coming along with the prophets of old and those who looked forward to His first coming. As we get really close to His birth, we have lessons that focus only on the Nativity figures: Mary, then Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and even the new star. Sometimes it’s hard to choose which people to focus on, and the lessons evolve each year, but each one bears a powerful witness of Christ.

We actually begin our devotionals on November 30th. I put up our pre-lit 3’ tree.

Introductory Lesson - November 30

Jesus: Giver of Eternal Life and Light

The kids take turns choosing a bell (they have favorites, so we have to rotate each night who gets to choose first). Then we sing, “Christmas Bells.” This has been the perfect way to welcome the kids to our devotionals. They ring the bells loudly while singing, then return the bells to the piano so we can hear our lesson.

I tape our timeline to the wall above the piano with the red marker at the very beginning. The green square marks Christ’s birth. (We start using this Dec. 1st.)

I also get out my fancy box of the ornaments wrapped with last year’s gift wrapping scraps, and labeled with a number for each day of the month.

I printed 2 copies of all the music and put it into 2 binders in order. I tied a little ribbon “bookmark” at the top of each binder so I can quickly find the music for the day. I also inserted pictures I cut out from The Ensign and Friend so the non-readers have something to look at ...and because I think it makes it prettier.

Brief Background

I have looked into many different versions of Christmas lessons with ornaments, or Nativity figures, and this has been the most meaningful way to prepare our family for Christmas: combining the words of ancient prophets in the scriptures with modern revelation, hymns, and the words of latter-day prophets. The added element of fun with the ornaments and pictures are like the cherry on top!

Since the large packet of lessons may seem overwhelming all at once, I’ve decided to present a separate post on each one.

I printed coloring books for the kids to color each day either during or after the lesson. I make sure to have them only color the page for the day’s lesson (well, as much as I can monitor a 3-year old).

This is especially helpful for keeping the little guys happy while the older ones sit and listen, though all of my kids still love coloring. The older kids’ books are just a lot fancier-looking.

Evergreen Trees: Eternal Life

I let the kids hold some faux fall leaves, and we talk about how each autumn the leaves change colors, die, and fall to the ground, but one tree keeps its green needles all year round: the evergreen tree.

The evergreen tree reminds us that Jesus is the giver of eternal life. Because He is the Son of God, He has power over death. Because of Him, we will all live again after we die.

We decorate our trees and homes with lights to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

The lights symbolize the hope and peace that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings into our lives.


I turn off the Christmas tree lights, and we talk about how without Jesus Christ, our lives would be dark. When someone died, we would never get to see them again. When we sinned, we could never be forgiven and feel happy again.

I turn the lights back on, and talk about how Jesus brings hope and happiness into our lives. When we follow Him and try to be like him, we feel good inside. When life is hard, we can trust in Him and turn to Him for help. We know that we will live again, and that we can be cleansed from our sins through Jesus Christ.

When we see Christmas lights, we can remember that Jesus is the light of the world.

Finally, to the lesson!

I ask the kids about the shape of the tree and we discuss how it points toward heaven. At Christmastime we display these evergreen trees in our homes to remind us of the person we celebrate in December: Jesus Christ.

The Colors of Christmas Symbolize the Atonement

Christmas Lights: The Light of the World

I show the kids a small, red ornament. While green represents eternal life, red represents the blood of Christ spilt for us. When we see red, like the red ornaments on the tree, we can remember Christ’s love for us. He loved us so much that He died for us.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13.


Then the kids help me decorate our little tree with mini red ornaments.

We end by singing, “Joy to the World, ” Hymns 201.

Posts about each lesson:  Nov 30   Dec 1   2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11     12    13    14    15    16    17    18    19    20    21    22    23    24    25

For older family members, here is an excellent video about how Jesus Christ is the light of the world: “Look to the Light” (4:28).

Here is the video “Patterns of Light: The Light of Christ” by Elder Bednar (2:33):

Part 2 “Patterns of Light: Discerning Light” by Elder Bednar (2:12):

Part 3 “Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation” by Elder Bednar (3:04):

This 2015 movie “Why We Need a Savior” does a great job of illustrating the concepts just taught (2:15):