C H R I S T M A S
TRADITIONS
CAN HELP US THINK ABOUT JESUS
The people of Israel had special traditions, like the Passover, that helped them remember the Lord (see Exodus 12).
What Christmas traditions does your family have that help you remember Jesus? Are there any traditions from your family history?
“Christmastime is filled with traditions,” said President Henry B. Eyring in the First Presidency 2025 Christmas Devotional. Stating, “Although these traditions vary in scope and size based on family, culture, and location, TRADITIONS BRING US TOGETHER as we unitedly celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.”
YOUTH CAN TEACH, so let them teach these activities to share at CHURCH and HOME with family and friends. They will definately help you remember THE REASON FOR THE SEASON (and every day during the year).
FIND 40 CHRISTMAS TRADITION Activities to make Learning Fun!
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PART 1: Helping someone in need.
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PART 2: Giving a special “gift” to Jesus.
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PART 3: Watching the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional with a friend.
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PART 4: Writing or singing a Christmas song.
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PART 5: Sharing the story of Jesus’s birth with others.
PART 1 TRADITION
Helping Someone in Need
Matthew 25:40 “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
The King in Matthew 25:40 is Jesus Christ.
In this passage, Jesus is describing a future judgment when He will separate the righteous from those who rejected Him. He refers to Himself as the King.
BELOW are activities to share at CHURCH and HOME to encourage the tradition of HELPING SOMEONE IN NEED:
PART 2 TRADITION
Giving a special “gift” to Jesus.
Henry B. Eyring, Second Counselor in the Presidency said this about
“Heavenly Father gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus gave His life for us so we can live with Him again. This is the greatest of all gifts. Jesus gave us this gift freely.
You may want to give a gift to Jesus. What gifts can you give Him?
You can pray.
You can read a scripture.
You can keep the commandments.
And there is still something more you can give Him. All around you, there are people He loves who you can help.
I pray that we will freely give, as Jesus did.”
Here are activities to share at CHURCH and HOME to encourage the tradition of GIVING GIFTS TO JESUS:
PART 3 TRADITION
Watching the First Presidency’s Christmas devotional with a friend.
“Christmas night … one of joy and promises, a night of angels, and stars and salvation, (a night for being with loved ones if we are able).”
– Talk, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” by Jeffrey R. Holland 12/7/25 Christmas Devotional
SPOTLIGHTING SAMUEL THE LAMANITE TELLING OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Learn about this story in the following message expressed in the CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL 2025 FROM THE TALK by Susan H. Porter Primary General President
“Think with me about the young wife, Mary, alongside her caring husband, Joseph, traveling along the dusty road to Bethlehem, not knowing where they will stay or when her Son will be born.
Now, add to this thought events taking place halfway around the world. There, in the land of Zarahemla on the American continent, a group of believers is sorrowing while they “watch steadfastly” for the sign of the Savior’s birth, which was prophesied by SAMUEL THE LAMANITE to be a day and a night and a day without darkness, for if the sign was not given, all the believers would be put to death.
Nephi, their prophet, “bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people. … And it came to pass that … the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world.” 3 NEPHI 1:8-9, 11-13
Please enjoy the 12 READING DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
For Example these two readings tell about SAMUEL THE LAMANITE, a prophet who lived in the ancient Americas, sent by Jesus Christ around 5 B to teach and warn the Nephites just before His birth in the Old world.
December 17: The Lamanite prophet Samuel prophesied to the wicked Nephites about Christ’s birth and death in Hel. 14.
December 24: On the eve of Christ’s birth, the prophet Nephi prayed in behalf of his people who were about to be slain by the wicked. Read the Lord’s response and the fulfillment of the prophet Samuel’s prophecy in 3 Ne. 1:9–22.
Here are activities to share at CHURCH and HOME to encourage the tradition of WATCHING THE FIRST PRESIDENCY’S CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL WITH A FRIEND:
JESUS CHRIST’S GIFTS TO US
In the CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL 2025 by
FROM THE TALK by Timothy L. Farnes, Young Men General President
“What does it look like to fully turn toward the Savior? How do we show that we accept His gift of redemption and healing?
I believe the answer is found in this counsel from President Russell M. Nelson: we need to “discover the joy of daily repentance.”
It really is that simple. We accept the Savior’s gift by repenting, by turning to Him. He offered His life so that we could change, improve, be healed, and be redeemed. So we accept that offer by changing, improving, and accepting His healing power into our lives.
And we don’t just do it once. We do it every single day, because we need it every single day. Accepting the Savior’s gift is a lifelong commitment. His is truly the gift that keeps on giving as we keep on accepting by turning to Him.”
Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency said in the 2025 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL
“Through the Savior’s willingness to “[descend] below all things,” as requirements of His infinite Atonement, Jesus Christ offered the perfect gift and expression of love and hope. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13*).” And our loving Heavenly Father, by allowing His Only Begotten Son to make such a sacrifice, provided us with an ultimate expression of His love as His gift to the rest of His children.”
*See this John 15:13 Scripture poster/card set to memorize (HERE or below).
PART 4
Writing or singing a Christmas song.
WORDS FROM THE SONG “I Believe in Christ” (HERE or below*)
I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
As Mary’s Son he came to reign
’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: “Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be.”
Here are activities to share at CHURCH and HOME to encourage the tradition of WRITING OR SINGING CHRISTMAS SONGS:
PART 5
Sharing the story of Jesus’s birth with others.
ENJOY THE STORY OF
The Christ Child
in this video.
Description
A short film about the birth of Jesus Christ This 18-minute dramatization of the Nativity story recounts in stunning detail the sacred events found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the Bible. Journey with Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Witness the awe of the shepherds in the plains of Judea. Feel the joy of the Wise Men as they kneel before the Light of the World—the Savior Jesus Christ.
Here are activities to share at CHURCH and HOME to encourage the tradition of SHARING THE STORY OF JESUS’S BIRTH:
YOUTH CAN TEACH; so, please let them teach as it helps them learn the gospel and grow their testimony as they share it.
Use the BRIGHT IDEAS Lesson Planner (included) to plan your lesson
