With all the gift purchasing, have you thought yet what you will give the Lord for Christmas? Here is a thought-provoking Family Home Evening to help even the youngest at heart with this important question. Time for some FHE Fun!

FHE Fun!

Opening Song: #238 Behold Thy Sons and Daughters, Lord

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Devotional: Devotionals are quick and sweet opportunities to share a few verses that held meaning during private scripture study from the previous week. Anyone who cares to share may do so during this spontaneous portion of FHE.

Activity:

PART A: As a family, pull out a dollar bill and then visit the Money Origami site (at this link http://members.cox.net/crandall11/money/ ). Pick one Origami activity to do. After having used the dollar bill to create the selected Origami, compare the family's efforts to the photographs at the origami site. How well did the family do? Did you have to unfold and refold several times? It was worth the effort if you did, because more than likely, your finished product looked very much like the picture. Explain to the family that when you follow a pattern and instructions carefully, you get an origami shape that looks like it is supposed to. If you are sloppy in your efforts, your end result may not please you.

Application:

When we follow the Lord's pattern for our lives (known as the commandments), the joy we picture we'll receive as we go through life is far more likely to occur over the length of our existence. Periodically, we may encounter a few unexpected “folds”, but by following the Master's plan, the end result will be perfection.

PART B:

Items Needed:

• Pen or pencil for each person
• Pre-printed page for each family member with these questions:
• What would be a great Christmas gift for a newborn?
• What would be a great Christmas gift for a three-year-old?
• What would be a great Christmas gift for a teenager?
• What would be a great Christmas gift for a parent?

Give the family five minutes or so to privately answer each question. When everyone is done, invite sharing by going around the circle for each question. When the last question has been discussed, ask everyone to turn over their papers and get ready to write down one word to the following question:

“What would be a great Christmas gift for Christ himself?”

Without any speaking, allow time for each person to record their answer on the paper. Invite sharing.

Discussion:

Here are a few sample discussion points you may want to present to your family:

1. “Dating,” For the Strength of Youth: Fulfilling Our Duty to God , 24 What is the difference in a person that chooses to begin dating at 15 yrs 11 months versus a completed 16 yrs (waiting like the prophet asked)? There are only four weeks in calendar difference, but where might that errant “fold” or attitude take that person over the extended length of life?
2. “Honesty,” For the Strength of Youth: Fulfilling Our Duty to God, 31 Why do some people choose honesty, even if it is difficult? On the other hand, how could the errant “fold” of dishonesty create a mess of a life years later?
3. President Hinckley once said: “…some thoughtless switchman in the St. Louis yards moved a small piece of steel just three inches, a switch point, then pulled the lever to uncouple the car. We discovered that a baggage car that belonged in Newark, New Jersey, was in fact in New Orleans, Louisiana —1,500 miles from its destination. Just the three-inch movement of the switch in the St. Louis yard by a careless employee had started it on the wrong track, and the distance from its true destination increased dramatically. That is the way it is with our lives.” (1) Ask the family how making a wrong fold in origami is like making a mistake in life. How can the Lord help us correct it?

Finally, how can giving the supernal gift of obedience to the Lord this year actually bring joy to the person offering it? Why would it bring joy to the Savior? Testify to the family that the best gift we can give the Lord this coming Christmas is the gift of a willing heart (see 2 Corinthians 8:12 http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_cor/8/12#12 ). Not only is it one of the most priceless gifts we offer the Lord, but it produces the least amount of errant “folds” in a person's life!

Closing Song: #148 I Want to Live the Gospel

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Refreshments: Here are some creative popcorn recipes. Why not have a fun popcorn treat to finish off this evening's FHE? And during the chowing and chatting, point out to your kids how some popcorn kernels do not pop. How are people like this? Feel free to simply sit back and enjoy hearing your children's ideas without you saying a word!

Struggling with your teens? C.S. Bezas' book is an essential help for parents and youth leaders. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers teaches you how to create powerful change. Visit your local LDS bookstore or get your copy online here.