After being put in as a new young women presidency we had to get to work planning activities. One of the activities we planned was a for our young women and young men combined Christmas activity. In thinking what we could do I came across an activity that was a nativity progressive activity. I loved the progressive idea and in thinking and praying about it the thought came that the 2014 mutual theme is "Come Unto Christ". What a great way to end the year and focus on the Savior! I brought the idea to the rest of the presidency, they liked it so we planned it. With a great suggestion from our bishopric we invited the youth to help in presenting at each progressive activity. We recently had this activity and I am so grateful for the youth's participation! It brought the Spirit to the activity. Here is the outline of what we did, feel free to use it as inspiration and modify it to the needs of your own youth.
Outline for Young Women and Young Men Christmas Activity: Coming Unto Christ From His Birth to His Resurrection
Progressive Activity #1 (His Birth)
Time Spent at this Activity (20-30 min): We began at the church in the Relief Society Room. After opening exercises. An adult leader stood up and explained that the activity would focus on coming unto Christ and will be a progressive activity from the birth to the resurrection of the Savior. Play the video, “He is the Gift”. Adult leader than discusses with youth what the gift is that our Heavenly Father has given us. Explaining that the gift is our Savior, Heavenly Father's only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Explain that God loved each one of us so much that he sent His son to earth as a gift to us. Ask the youth how they personally can discover the gift, of the Savior. After they have shared their thoughts, invite each one to ponder how they can personally discover the gift and to go home and write it in their journals. Then ask the youth how they can embrace the gift, of the Savior. After they have shared their thoughts, invite each one to ponder how they can personally embrace the gift. Invite them to write their thoughts in their journals. Then invite the youth up who have prepared their papers of how they are going to Share the gift. Invite them one at a time to share how they are going to share the gift. Invite each youth to think about how they each can share the gift and invite them to act upon it. Then explain how one of the greatest gifts we can give is inviting others to come unto Christ. Invite the Young Men and Young Women to write their testimonies on a paper (see printable below) to be glued into the Book of Mormons so they can be handed out by the missionaries in your area. You could also encourage the youth to pray and see if there is someone they feel prompted to give a Book of Mormon to with their testimony in it.
Progressive Activity #2 (His Life and Ministry)
Time Spent at this Activity (30 minutes): Drive youth to a leaders home. Adult leader explains that now the focus at this activity will be on the life and ministry of the Savior. That the Savior came into this world in the humblest of circumstances. That he lived his life serving the poor, feeding the hungry, healing the sick. He was the best example of service. That His love for each person is unconditional and the same, he is no respecter of persons. He asks us to love each other the same way. Play the video, "Good Tidings of Great Joy: The Birth of Jesus Christ" Invite the youth you have previously asked to come up and share their examples of service. Then explain that the Savior is the "Bread of Life". From here divide into groups and deliver bread to members of your ward (be prayerful in choosing who you would invite the youth to visit). When at the door invite the youth to sing a Christmas song, deliver the bread and wish them a Merry Christmas.
Progressive Activity #3 (The Atonement, Crucifixion and Resurrection)
Time Spent a this Activity (20-30 minutes): After delivering the bread the youth will walk or be driven to another leader's home. There an adult leader will explain that the finally activity will focus on the atonement, crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior. Invite the youth who have prepared to come up and share how the atonement has helped them come unto Christ. Then the adult leader will discuss with the youth how Christ experienced all sorrow, pain and sin, he paid the price for each one of us. The atonement made it possible for us to overcome sin, through repentance. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he allowed His son to suffer these great sorrows and ultimately lay down his life for each of us. As He was crucified He taught us one last important lesson the lesson of forgiveness as he said, “forgive them; for they know not what they do.”( Luke 23:34) . Just as our Heavenly Father and Savior have unconditional love for us we are asked to have that same kind of love for each other. When Christ was resurrected it gave us the opportunity to live with our Father in Heaven again, to overcome physical death and have life eternal. Christ’s ministry, atonement, death and resurrection is what gave his birth such significant importance. Feel free to share experiences. Explain that we have been invite by the Savior to love each other, to be a positive influence in another person's life, to share the light of Christ. Invite youth to let the Spirit prompt them as to who to send a quick text of appreciation to. If they do not have a phone have pieces of paper that they could write a short note of appreciation. The bishop will share his closing remarks/testimony on Coming unto Christ. Light Refreshments (Chex Mix Goodie Bag)
Take Youth Home.
Times are estimates. Our activity actually took a little longer.
Free Printables: (Click on image, save it to your computer and print)
Book of Mormon Testimony Inserts (Print on White Card Stock)
Chex Mix Tags: Print on colored paper. Staple to zip lock sandwich baggies filled with Chex mix.
Click link for: Share the Gift Papers
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