A friend of mine has been sending me the most wonderful emails about a special advent calendar to help us remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. I don't know where she got it but I thought it would be great to post it here. This is perfect to do during family scripture study and prayers each night...Enjoy!
Christmas Advent Calendar
This is no ordinary advent calendar with little windows to open or snowmen to paste on. You are the only moving part. This calendar reviews the Savior's entire mission from pre-mortal councils on through his future return as Lord of Lord and King of Kings.
December 1st
Each day between now and Christmas you'll read one or more passages of scripture, moving from epoch to epoch across the vast span of the Redeemer's work. Each day there will be a suggestion* of something you can do to grow closer to the Savior. There will also be a hymn or carol** to sing. Here are today's suggestions:
* Invite your family to join you in each day's reading and singing.
Remember the Savior's promise. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20)
** "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful" Hymns, 1985, no. 202
December 2nd
At Christmas we celebrate much more than the birth of a baby - we celebrate who that child already was, and what he would yet become. Christmas is a time of looking - to the past, with its glimpses of pre-mortal glory, and to the future, with its promise of eternity.
"For behold, the time....is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles,,," And lo, he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary, "And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name, and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him." And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world" (Mosiah 3:5, 8-10)
* As you decorate for Christmas, choose or make a decoration that will remind you of the Savior and his mission.
*"I Believe in Christ," Hymns, no. 134
December 3rd
All that we have - the air we breathe, the light by which we see - are gifts from a loving Father and his Son. In this season of giving, let us give one of the greatest gifts we can offer - a grateful, humble heart.
"As (Jesus) entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers..."And ...he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. "And one of them turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God," And Jesus answereing said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?" (Luke 17:12,14,15,17).
* In one of your prayers today, give thanks for every blessing you can name, without asking anything.
** Count Your Blessings," Hymns, no 241
Oh, I forgot to tell you that I will add the rest of the days as I get them!
ReplyDeleteSo, ummmm......why didn't we do this at fhe last night? ;)
ReplyDeleteYou know what we did on FHE smarty pants...the plan was to start tonight! :-) Leave it to your kids to keep you honest. LOL
ReplyDelete