NT Come Follow Me 52

NT Come Follow Me Lesson 52

CHRISTMAS

Introduction:

Consider how pondering the Savior’s birth and mission can help bring a spirit of peace and sacredness to the Christmas season.

SHARED:

The birth of every baby should bring joy. Don’t we all gather around newborns to adore them? Life is so miraculous and special.

Recently some very good friends of ours welcomed a baby boy. They had waited for around 20 years to be parents. They and other family members fasted and prayed so often, that they might receive the blessing of parenthood, to have a young child become part of their family. They are very good and faithful people.

The Lord, in His great mercy, heard their cries; just like He heard Zacharias and Elisabeth’s pleading. The pregnancy was a surprise! They rejoiced and everyone else did with them. When their son was born, everyone came to adore him, and we still do. The long time of waiting for his arrival was over. He is here. And he is growing and thriving, walking and climbing, smiling and talking.

Somehow the waiting makes things more special for the faithful and more daunting for those without hope. Sarah waited so long for Isaac. The Israelites waited so long for the coming of the Messiah. We have been waiting so long for His return. My prayer is that we will be among those who are increasing in faith, hope, and charity, so that when He comes we can rejoice right then and forevermore; that we will see Him as He is and retain the hope of becoming like Him.

We had a Christmas baby boy many years ago, and it made the celebration of the Christ Child so extraordinary for us that year. I was able to rock and sing to Him, just like Mary did for Jesus. But truly, every parent has that opportunity every day. As we embrace our children, His little ones, we are embracing Him. Whatever the age, let us embrace our family members, close and extended. We can more fully adore Jesus, as we love Him and His Father and one another.

Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him!

FIN

The birth of a baby is a symbol of hope. Our hope is certainly in the birth, life, sacrifice, death, resurrection, and mission of Jesus.

The angels told the Shepherds, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the King.

Luke 2:17–19 The shepherds proclaimed the news as the angels asked them to do. Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

How can we ponder these things in our own hearts and hold the knowledge that we have gained of Him sacred?

How is His mission changing your life? What are you choosing to do to follow Him?

Are you following the Shepherds’ example and making it known, what great things Jesus has done?!

Personal Study: Jesus Christ condescended to be born among us on earth.

Think about what condescended means.

Reference paragraph: The verb condescend used to be free of any hint of the offensive superiority. It could mean literally "to go or come down" or, figuratively, "to willingly lower oneself to another's level." (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condescending#:~:text=The%20verb%20condescend%20used%20to,in%20writings%20on%20the%20Bible.)

The original meaning of the word condescend had no offensive connotations. It expressed an act of charity, in which a person was willing “go or come down”, to actually leave a higher estate for a lower one, in order to reach others at their level. Jesus’s words, “Father, send me,” become particularly more meaningful when we think of this earlier meaning of condescend.

This is the true meaning of the section in the Come, Follow Me manual, “Jesus Christ condescended to be born among us on earth.” Jesus was willing to go out from heaven, to leave His role of Godhood and to become a mortal man. He was willing to come down to earth as a small, innocent baby and go through all the stages of mortality. He was willing to come among us as Immanuel, or God with us; as the Son of God, as the Virgin Mary’s son, and as the adopted son of Joseph the carpenter. In ever real sense, he was willing to lower Himself to an earthly existence, so that He could raise us to a Heavenly existence. Our Heavenly Father knew that we needed a Savior in order to become like Him.

The Fulness of the Story of Christmas

“Christmas is not only a celebration of how Jesus came into the world but also of knowing who He is—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—and of why He came” (Craig C. Christensen).

Before Jesus was born, He was the great Jehovah, the Firstborn Son of God.

John 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

Mosiah 3:5 “For behold, the time cometh, and 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, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.”

Doctrine and Covenants 76:13–14, 20–24 13 Even those things which were from the beginning before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through his Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the beginning;
14 Of whom we bear record; and the record which we bear is the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision.
20 And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness;
21 And saw the holy angels, and them who are sanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who worship him forever and ever.
22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.

Moses 4:2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.

Jesus came to earth to save a fallen world.

Luke 4:16–21 16 ¶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

John 3:16–17 16 ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

3 Nephi 27:13–16  13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.

Doctrine and Covenants 20:20–28 20 But by the transgression of these holy laws man became sensual and devilish, and became fallen man.
21 Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him.
22 He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.
23 He was crucified, died, and rose again the third day;
24 And ascended into heaven, to sit down on the right hand of the Father, to reign with almighty power according to the will of the Father;
25 That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved—
26 Not only those who believed after he came in the meridian of time, in the flesh, but all those from the beginning, even as many as were before he came, who believed in the words of the holy prophets, who spake as they were inspired by the gift of the Holy Ghost, who truly testified of him in all things, should have eternal life,
27 As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and of the Son;
28 Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen.

How do these scriptures affect you? Are you allowing the feelings of your heart and the gratitude you have for the Savior to have an effect on you? Are you changing and improving for the better?

2 Corinthians 8:9 or ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Hebrews 2:7–18 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

1 Nephi 11:13–33 3 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.
14 And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou?
15 And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.
16 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?
17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
18 And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
19 And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.
21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?
22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.
24 And after he had said these words, he said unto me: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him.
25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.
26 And the angel said unto me again: Look and behold the condescension of God!
27 And I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world, of whom my father had spoken; and I also beheld the prophet who should prepare the way before him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him; and after he was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove.
28 And I beheld that he went forth ministering unto the people, in power and great glory; and the multitudes were gathered together to hear him; and I beheld that they cast him out from among them.
29 And I also beheld twelve others following him. And it came to pass that they were carried away in the Spirit from before my face, and I saw them not.
30 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the heavens open again, and I saw angels descending upon the children of men; and they did minister unto them.
31 And he spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men. And I beheld multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits; and the angel spake and showed all these things unto me. And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.
32 And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.
33 And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world.

Alma 7:10–13 10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Video: “The Nativity”

Read as a family Matthew 1:18–25; 2:1–12; Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20

Family Study: Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ together.  

Josh read Matthew 1:18–25;  Great Grandpa 2:1–12; George and Cathy read; Grandpa (Bob) Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20

How can we, Bob and I, celebrate with our families both near and far?

Read or act out parts of the Nativity story together.
Watch the video “The Christ Child”
Explore some of the resources in the “Jesus Christ” collection in the Gospel Library, especially in the section titled “His Birth (Christmas).”
Watch a First Presidency Christmas devotional (broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Sing Christmas hymns together, or choose neighbors or friends to visit and sing to them (see Hymns, nos. 201–14).
Perform an act of service.
Ask family members to look for details in the Nativity story that give them ideas for ornaments or decorations they could make to remind them of Jesus Christ.

Video: “The Christ Child”

This is such a beautiful video.

Jesus was placed, as the sacrificial Lamb without blemish, in a manger.

Though this video was made to look like Middle Eastern people, we know from Nephi that Mary was beautiful and “fair” above all other virgins. Fair suggests that she was blond, just like her ancestor Rebekah who was also fair.

I googled to found out what Mary might have looked like, and I found this Biography of Mary (https://obitel-minsk.org/what-did-the-virgin-mary-look-like#:~:text=According%20to%20Tradition%2C%20that%20from,eyebrows%20strong%20in%20character%20and).

I started reading the area that was highlighted by my search. It begins below the picture with,

“Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, who saw the Virgin Mary, left us a description of her:  "Her whole appearance testifies that she is indeed the Mother of God."

According to Tradition, that from the compiler of Church history Nicephorus Callistus (fourteenth century), the Mother of God “was of average stature, or as others suggest, slightly more than average; Her hair golden in appearance; Her eyes bright with pupils like shiny olives; Her eyebrows strong in character and moderately dark, Her nose pronounced and Her mouth vibrant bespeaking sweet speech; Her face was neither round nor angular, but somewhat oblong; the palm of Her hands and fingers were longish…

In conversation with others She preserved decorum, neither becoming silly nor agitated, and indeed especially never angry; without artifice, and direct, She was not overly concerned about Herself, and far from pampering Herself, She was distinctly full of humility. Regarding the clothing which She wore, She was satisfied to have natural colors, which even now is evidenced by Her holy head-covering. Suffice it to say, a special grace attended all Her actions.”

I continued reading the section: What was she like as a person. I found this reading to be very good. It doesn’t matter that the world tries to make Joseph, Mary, and Jesus appear to look like their understanding of how Middle Eastern people look today or that people think that He was made to look European by earlier artists. The House of Israel was driven out many times and is among the European people. But more important than how she looked, I loved reading about her characteristics.

What was she like as a person?

Mary is somebody that we can really learn from. There are so many qualities that she had, so many wonderful characteristics she exhibited. Here are just some of them: 

4 Characteristics of the Virgin Mary:

1.      She was a woman of tremendous faith. Culturally, she would have been around 12 to 14 years old when archangel Gabriel came and told her that she would be the one to give birth to the Messiah, to which she answered:

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

Only a person of great faith could trust God so much to say that.

She was so faithful to the Lord, that she stood and watched her own Son being crucified because she believed in God's promise. It was probably torture for her as a Mother, but she had the strength to believe that this was necessary in order to save mankind and have victory over death.

2.      She was brave, even to the point that she accepted God’s will when it seemed completely contrary to everything around her. She accepted the fact that she will conceive the Savior of mankind miraculously. When she heard the news, she was probably very confused and even scared. She did not know how God could make her conceive if she was a Virgin:

"How will this be, since I am a virgin?" (Luke 1:34)

She knew that people would notice that she was pregnant and would ask her questions. She knew that she would probably have to explain what had happened to Joseph, her husband. But she was courageous enough to say yes anyway.

3.      She was definitely a woman of humility. She was humble enough to submit to the will of the Lord from the very beginning. She was humble enough to let her beloved Son follow His path full of hardships and pain.

4.      Apart from those three essential traits, she was also wise. She knew the Scripture and the Law of Moses very well and even the Apostles respected and trusted her a lot.

One of the biggest lessons that we can learn from Mary’s story, is that God took an ordinary girl from the city of Nazareth and called her to do an extraordinary thing.

The same is true for us. God takes us, ordinary people, and invites us to become extraordinary by doing extraordinary things. Sometimes there are things that we may not have wished on ourselves, but, by doing them and going through changes, we become better.

Personal Study: Jesus Christ fulfilled His mission and made it possible for me to inherit eternal life.

The prophecies were fulfilled, and the miraculous conditions of Jesus’s birth saw fruition. But the splendor of his birth is found in the life He led; both in our premortal existence and while He was here on earth.

The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas

“The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection” (President Gordon B. Hinckley).

We find evidence of our Savior’s love and divine mission in the New and Old Testaments and in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:21–26; Colossians 1:12–22; 1 Peter 2:21–25. How has the Savior and His work blessed your life, and your eternities? How will you draw nearer to the Savior? What changes are you willing to make for Him?

1 Corinthians 15:21–26 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Colossians 1:12–22  12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

1 Peter 2:21–25 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

 

Family Study: I’m thankful Jesus was Born

1 Corinthians 15:21–26; Colossians 1:12–22; 1 Peter 2:21–25

I am grateful that Jesus was born to bring salvation to the world, and ultimately to bring peace and salvation to me and to my family. I need to say more prayers of gratitude, thanking my Heavenly Father for the gift of His son; and petitioning Him for help to overcome those things that He would like me to sacrifice for Him.

He Sent His Son

 

Family Study: The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

I listened to this testimony. Listen better later or read, too.

We can all write our own testimonies of Jesus Christ, too.