The Spirit of Gift-Giving
By C.S. Bezas

Don't we all want our children to understand the significance of Christmas and the gift God gave by sending His Son? This week's Family Home Evening lesson serves that purpose. So it's time for some FHE Fun!

FHE FUN

Opening Song

#205 Once in Royal David's City

Opening Prayer

By Invitation.

Devotional

Allow whoever feels prompted to share a scripture that touched them from the previous week. Perhaps they could share how the scripture helped them during the week.

Activity

(Prior to FHE, arrange to have several small unwrapped gifts ready for each family member. Place them in hidden groupings in a side room, one little set of gifts for each person in the family. Make sure to cover up each set with a cloth. These gifts could even be purchased at the dollar store.)

At the start of the activity, explain to the family they will have the opportunity to go Christmas "shopping" for each other. Let them know that they need to have ready the same amount of dollar bills as they have family members (small children who do not yet receive an allowance could offer one coin per family member).

Invite one individual to go with you to the side room where you have hidden the small assortment of gifts. Uncover every grouping except this particular child's (we don't want him to see his gifts). Allow him (or her) to select one gift per person and to pay you a dollar for each gift as he goes. Once he has finished making his "purchases," allow him to place them in a bag. He can leave quickly to hide the presents for wrapping.

While he is gone, make sure to leave uncovered all gift assortments except for the next person's (for example, her own assortment needs to be covered before she arrives to "shop." This way, she can see the others' assortments, but not hers).

Allow the "shopping" to continue, with each family member getting a chance to make Christmas purchases as a service to their siblings. Pay quiet, but close attention to whether complaining ensues such as, "I have to use my money to buy him a present?" They really do need to use their own money for this activity to hit home.

Application

After everyone has had a chance to "shop" for Christmas gifts for the other family members, reassemble the group in the main room. Invite each family member to take a turn reading one-after-the-other the following verses: 1 Nephi 11:13-23. Invite your family to mark in their individual scriptures any part of the passage that particularly touches them. Afterwards allow them to share what passages moved them and how the passages bring a deeper understanding for the purpose of Christmas.

Ask several application questions, perhaps along these lines:

• What do we celebrate at this time of year?
• What must it have been like for Heavenly Father to send His Son to this world?
• What kind of sacrifice did this take?
• What kind of gift has Christ given you because of this sacrifice?
• How was using your own money a sacrifice to buy your brother(s) and/or sister(s) a gift?
• What if they do not appreciate your gift when you eventually give it to them on Christmas day?
• How is this parallel to appreciating (or not) the gift God has given us in His Son?
• What can we do as a family this Christmas to show deep appreciation of the Savior and what He has done for us?

It's Christmas at Our House

It's Christmas at our house,
And we're putting up the tree.
I wish I could find one simple way
To remember Christ's gift to me.

Some little sign or symbol
To show friends stopping by
The little babe was born one day,
But he really came to die.

Some symbol of his nail-pierced hands—
The blood he shed for me.
What if I hung a simple nail
Upon my Christmas tree.

A crimson bow tied round the nail
As his blood flowed down so free
To save each person from their sins,
And redeem us for eternity.

I know it was His love for us
That held him to that tree.
But when I see that simple nail
I know he died for me.

Turn the time over for testimony-sharing or perhaps memory-sharing of particularly meaningful Christmases in times past.

Closing Song

#206 Away in a Manger

Closing Prayer

By Invitation.

Refreshments

Decorated cupcakes would make a great FHE refreshment for this particular lesson. The family could chat how decorating cupcakes is a sacrifice of love for others. Some appreciate the effort; others might not notice. But the Lord always is aware of our service and sacrifice for others.

Summary

Don't we all want our children to understand the deeper significance of Christmas and the gift God has given us in His Son? As our children begin small strides in personal sacrifice, they become better able to comprehend the depth of the Savior's sacrifice for them.

Remind your children how much the Lord loves them. In fact, tell them often how much you love them. Testify that the Lord recognizes all sacrifices made for the benefit of others. And what better time to serve and to love one another than during this Christmas month!

C.S. Bezas' book has been described as perfect for youth leaders and parents of teens. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is available in LDS bookstores and by clicking here.