A Christ-Centered Family Home Evening: Mary's Question

Like you, we are hoping to fill this Christmas with the wonder of the Savior, so that on Christmas morning we will be able to look back and discover that our traditions were filled with Him, our conversations were filled with Him, our memories were filled with Him. Every day filled up with the birth of Jesus. Last week, we shared a Family Home Evening lesson about Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus from Emily Belle Freeman's A Christ-Centered Christmas - Children's Edition. Tonight, it's Mary's turn to share her experience with the birth of the Savior.

THE LESSON MARY TAUGHT US ON THE NIGHT JESUS WAS BORN

MARY’S SCRIPTURE: 

Luke 2:6-7, 19

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger…and Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

MARY'S STORY:

Choose one child to hold the picture of Mary up while someone reads the story.

The night was silent, and holiness filled the stable.  After she finished counting tiny fingers, and wrinkled baby toes, Mary tenderly wrapped her beautiful baby boy in clean swaddling cloth.  Then she took Him into her arms.  As she rocked Him, the young mother leaned close and kissed His soft cheek. 

In the stillness of that evening, as she watched over her sleeping, swaddled son, Mary’s heart filled with wonder.  What would it be like to raise the Son of God?  Jesus.  The Savior of the world.

His birth was a miracle, but Mary knew without a doubt that it was only the beginning of the miracles to come. 

On the night Jesus was born, Mary pondered (explain that pondered means to think about things carefully and quietly) all these things in her heart.

Could you?

MARY’S QUESTION:

Hand each member of your family a piece of paper with a large heart drawn on it. Have each person answer the question below by writing or drawing pictures in the heart that represent Mary's ponderings.

 What do you think Mary pondered in her heart the night Jesus was born?  

MARY’S ACTIVITY:

Bake and decorate heart shaped cookies as a family. During your time together, talk about the miracle of Christ’s birth.  Ponder how His birth has changed your life. When you have finished the activity place Mary’s nativity figure into your waiting stable.

For more beautiful traditions that can help guide your Christmas celebrations closer to the Savior visit Christcenteredcelebrations.com or find A Christ-Centered Christmas - Children's Edition at Deseret Book.