Jesus is the Light and Life of the World Sharing time

Sharing time – Jesus is the Light of Christmas

December week 3 theme- Jesus is the Light and Life of the World

 

Thanks to my dear friend Jennifer Rasmussen for the idea of using Christmas lights in Primary!

Christmas is coming and there are many symbols associated with celebrating the birth of Christ.  I have a wreath that symbolizes that Christ’s love for us is never ending, like the circle of the wreath. The color red symbolizes the Savior's sacrifice for all.  The color green symbolizes that everlasting hope of mankind, just as we see an evergreen tree remain green year round.  There is another symbol of Christmas that I would like to focus on today that represents our Savior Jesus Christ.  Light!

“What is the greatest source of light for us? No, it isn’t the sun.  It is Jesus Christ.  He said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). http://www.lds.org/friend/2003/10/sharing-time-the-light-of-christ?lang=eng.  It would be pretty tough to walk in darkness if there was no light helping shine the way.  Without the light of Jesus Christ it would also be difficult to follow the way of truth and righteousness.

Will you please help me get these Christmas lights to work because they seem to be missing a few light bulbs.  We need to find the missing light bulbs so they can shine brightly.  I will be looking for certain colors of light bulbs to match pictures that will help us discover how Jesus Christ is the light of the world.  The first bulb I am looking for is an orange light bulb (line up the bulbs on the table and blindfold a child and direct he or she to select in “darkness” the orange light bulb).  Can someone in darkness find the orange bulb on the table?   I guess we need a helper to find the orange bulb?

 

Orange Bulb: matching picture- Creation picture from primary picture packet 1-28 on back of orange construction paper

“Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world because all things were made by him. Under the direction and according to the plan of God the Father, Jesus Christ is the Creator, the source of the light and life of all things.”  We have all these beautiful creations on earth because of the light of our Savior.  What is your favorite thing that has been created for you? Taken from: Dallin H. Oaks, "The Light and Life of the World, Ensign November, 1987 http://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/11/the-light-and-life-of-the-world?lang=eng&query="light+and+life+of+the+world"

Ok, let’s put in the orange bulb(screw orange bulb into the Christmas decoration) and continue searching for more ways that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. (Blindfold another child and direct he or she to select in darkness the blue bulb from the table)

Blue Bulb:  matching picture-Christ’s birth from Gospel Art kit 200 on back of blue construction paper

“In the Holy Land, a star appeared in the heavens at the time of the Savior’s birth. In the New World, there was light for a day and a night and a day to mark His coming to earth as a newborn babe.” Light was very important in the birth of Jesus. Taken from First Presidency Christmas message, "Christmas Light", Friend, December 2006 http://www.lds.org/friend/2006/12/christmas-light?lang=eng&query="christmas+light “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. … I am the light and … life of the world” (3 Ne. 11:10–11). D&C 93:2- "And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;” When we are born, we all have the light of Christ in us.

Ok, let’s put in the blue bulb(screw blue bulb into the Christmas decoration) and continue searching for more ways that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. (blindfold another child and direct he or she to select in darkness the green bulb from the table)

Green Bulb: Matching picture- The baptism of Jesus from primary packet 1-18 on the back of green construction paper

“Jesus Christ is … the light of the world because his example and his teachings illuminate the path we should walk to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven.” http://www.lds.org/ensign/1987/11/the-light-and-life-of-the-world?lang=eng&query="light+and+life+of+the+world"  “Even Jesus, who was perfect, was baptized (see Matt. 3:16–17).  His baptism showed that He was obedient.  Heavenly Father is pleased when we are baptized because we are following the example of Jesus Christ and we are on the path that leads back to Him.” http://www.lds.org/liahona/2000/02/sharing-time-on-the-right-path?lang=eng&query="example+of+jesus  We can know the “light of truth” as we read the scriptures and learn more of how Jesus was the perfect example.

Ok, let’s put in the green bulb(screw green bulb into the Christmas decoration) and continue searching for more ways that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. (blindfold another child and direct he or she to select in darkness the red bulb from the table)

Red Bulb:  Matching picture-Christ’s resurrection from primary packet 2-64 on the back of red construction paper

Because Jesus Christ atoned for our sins or wrongdoings, he gives us the light of hope that we can be forgiven for our sins. “The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.” (Isa. 60:19.) Through Christ’s resurrection, we can receive everlasting light and live with Heavenly Father forever. Source: Dallin H. Oaks, "The Light and Life of the World, Ensign November, 1987

Ok, let’s put in the red bulb (screw red bulb into the Christmas decoration) and continue searching for more ways that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. (blindfold another child and direct he or she to select in darkness the yellow bulb from the table)

Yellow bulb:  matching picture- Jesus the Christ from Primary picture packet 1-3 on the back of yellow construction paper

“When we are baptized… [Christ] gives us the greatest blessing He can give us: to always have His Spirit to be with us… We have the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost to lead and guide us in an otherwise very dark and dreary world. Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Where the light of Christ is found, the darkness of Lucifer, even Satan, must depart [or leave].” Taken from Robert D. Hales, April 1998 Friend http://www.lds.org/friend/1998/04/in-remembrance-of-jesus?lang=eng&query="light+of+christ"

“When we live the gospel and keep the commandments, we can have the Light of Christ with us always.” http://www.lds.org/friend/2003/10/sharing-time-the-light-of-christ?lang=eng&query="light+of+christ" “Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. (3 Ne. 18: 24.)  “Even as Jesus himself is the light of the world, so he expects his saints to set perfect examples of righteousness so that they too shall shine forth as lights to their fellow men.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:218.)

 

(Screw yellow bulb into the decoration and plug in the Christmas lights on the wreath) We can shine brightly like these Christmas bulbs and I challenge you to do so. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.