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That’s a hard question.
Did you try LDSYouthActivities? This is a website where you can ask to be put on the mailing list for information about the Day of Celebration activities. The newsletter is mainly for the Utah area, but you might be able to get ideas from that.
Since your boys sound kind of outdoorsy, you could take a Church History hike. Our ward did this a while back — they had some hard tack and water for breakfast (they didn’t tell the kids this beforehand :lol: ) and the Bishopric led them on a hike where prominent leaders from Church History (ward members dressed up) gave short talks about themselves. The kids loved it, and most of them bore their testimonies about it during Sacrament Meeting–even the boys.
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Thanks for the compliment, heybro! This website IS alot of work, so I’m glad to hear when people find it useful.
Jenny
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The only one of these I know about comes from the Idea Door, and it does indeed have a picture of the Savior on the front page:
Hope this helps!
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They’re fixed now. Phew.
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Get the silhouette images described below from lds.org by clicking the link below.
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Two Witnesses of Jesus’ Birth
By Laurel RohlfingLaurel Rohlfing, “Sharing Time: Two Witnesses of Jesus’ Birth,” Friend, Dec. 1988, 8
You can do this program with your family or friends for Christmas. As you tell the story, show the scenes, using a shadow box and the silhouettes pictured here. Or make living scenes by dressing like the characters in the program.
Instructions for shadow box and silhouette figures: Stretch and tack muslin or a piece of unpatterned bed sheet onto a picture frame. Or two people could hold a sheet tightly between them. Mount the silhouettes on cardboard and cut out. Using hot glue or clay, attach small dowels at right angles to the backs of the silhouettes. Light the fabric from behind and from the sides with a clip-on light or an overhead or a slide projector. The audience will see the silhouettes as soon as they touch the fabric.
Optional: Silhouette figures could be enlarged.
Song: “Ring Out the Bells” (Sing with Me, F-22)
Child: Christmas is a happy time,
A time of joy and mirth,
When people all throughout the world
Proclaim the Savior’s birth.[Silhouette figure: Babe in manger]
Child: Many years before He came
The prophets did foretell
That Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
Would come on earth to dwell.[Silhouette figures: Add Bible and Book of Mormon]
Child: The Bible tells of Jesus’ birth;
The Book of Mormon, too-
Two witnesses that Christ was born,
And we know that they are true.Child: Both scriptures tell that Jesus Christ
Would be the Baby’s name.
Although the books are different,
The truth is just the same.[Silhouette figures: Nephi, Babe in manger]
Narrator 1: In the Book of Mormon the prophet Nephi testifies: “For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and … his name shall be Jesus Christ” (2 Ne. 25:19).
[Silhouette figures: Angel, Joseph]
Narrator 2: In the Bible an angel appeared in a dream to Joseph, Mary’s husband, and said: “[Mary] shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS” (Matt. 1:21).
Song: “Christmas Cradle Song” (Sing with Me, F-5)
[Silhouette figures: Mary, Babe in manger]
Child: The mother of our Savior was
A virgin, pure and fair.
Her baby was the Son of God
The scriptures both declare.[Silhouette figures: Isaiah, Mary, Babe in manger, angel]
Narrator 2: In the Bible we learn from the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son” (Isa. 7:14). And an angel told Mary: “That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
[Silhouette figures: Nephi, Mary, Babe in manger]
Narrator 1: The prophet Nephi in the Book of Mormon tells us: “I beheld a virgin, and she was … most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. … [And she was] the mother of the Son of God.” (1 Ne. 11:13, 15, 18.)
Song: “Who Is the Child?” (More Songs for Children, page 64)
Child: The scriptures testify that signs
Would tell of Jesus’ birth.
The people knew when they appeared
That Christ would come to earth.[Silhouette figures: Shepherds, sheep, angel]
Narrator 2: In Luke we read: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. … And the angel said unto them, … “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8, 10–12.)
[Silhouette figures: Star, Wise Men on camels]
Narrator 2: In Matthew we read about the sign of the star: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, … behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. … And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matt. 2:1–2, 9–10.)
[Silhouette figures: Samuel on city wall; sun rising, setting, and rising again; star]
Narrator 1: In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite stood upon the city wall and proclaimed: “And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; … there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; … for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; … nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born. And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.’ (Hel. 14:3–5.)
Song: First verse of “Samuel the Lamanite” (Friend, December 1988, page 32.)
[Silhouette figure: Book of Mormon]
Narrator 1: In the Book of Mormon, we read that the night before His birth, the voice of the Savior declared: “Be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets” (3 Ne. 1:13).
[Silhouette figures: angels]
Child: The angels sang of peace on earth;
They sang o’er Bethlehem.
And in the Book of Mormon
There was peace, good will toward men.[Silhouette figures: Bible, Book of Mormon, entire manger scene]
Child: Yes, the Bible tells of Jesus’ birth,
The Book of Mormon, too-
Two witnesses that Christ was born,
And we know that they are true.Song: “Joy to the World” (Hymns, no. 201.)
Sharing Time Ideas
1. Adapt program to fit number of children in your Primary. Have children prepare silhouette figures, then give program for each other. Younger children could tell Christmas story in their own words, using shadow box and silhouette figures.
2. Divide group into two teams-one using Bible; other, Book of Mormon. Have children look up scriptures listed in program to answer questions such as: “What signs were given of Savior’s birth?” “Who revealed that name of Son of God was to be Jesus Christ?” Class members could compete in this.
3. Make roller box (see Primary Sharing Time Resource Manual, page 29), and attach silhouettes to roll of paper. This could be done as a group or individually.
4. Children could make three-dimensional diorama by arranging silhouettes in small box.
5. Tell or dramatize “The Christmas Story” (Friend, December 1985, page 40) or “The Day There Was No Night” (Friend, December 1978, page 10.)
6. Additional songs from approved resources could supplement program. You might consider “Mary’s Lullaby to the Infant King” (Sing with Me, F-10), “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” (Hymns, no. 202), “Christmas in Zarahemla” (Friend, December 1985, page 29), and “First Christmas in America” (Friend, December 1978, page 20.)
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Come unto Christ
By Laurel RohlfingFor if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you (D&C 78:7).
Laurel Rohlfing, “Sharing Time: Come unto Christ,” Friend, Dec. 1989, 8
As you celebrate Christmas, this program will help you and your family remember Jesus and His love for you. Before you begin, have family members draw pictures of scenes to use during the program, or use pictures from your ward/branch library. Costumes and props also could be used to dramatize the scenes described. Combine or divide the speaking parts, depending on how many people participate.
Song: “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, page 34, or Friend, December 1984, page 10)
First Reader: Come unto Christ this Christmas. Come to the Savior of all. Come, do the things He has asked you. Come, follow Him; hear His call.
Second Reader: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the shepherds came to worship the Babe that the prophets testified should come into the world.
Third Reader: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11.)
Fourth Reader: First ReaderAnd it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us” (Luke 2:15).
Everyone: And they came unto Christ.
Third Reader: “Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matt. 2:1-2).
Fourth Reader: “And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matt. 2:9-10.)
Everyone: And they came unto Christ.
Song: “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, page 42, or Hymns, no. 206)
Second Reader: During Jesus’ earthly ministry, many people came to hear Him preach the gospel and see Him perform miracles.
Third Reader: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching … and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. … And there followed him great multitudes of people.” (Matt. 4:23, 25.)
Fourth Reader: Jesus said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
Everyone: And they came unto Christ.
Song: “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, page 57)
Second Reader: The resurrected Christ showed Himself to the Nephites on the American continent and asked them to come unto Him.
Third Reader: “Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world” (3 Ne. 11:14).
Fourth Reader: “And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him.” (3 Ne. 11:16-17.)
Everyone: And they came unto Christ.
Song: “Easter Hosanna” (Children’s Songbook, page 68, verse 2, or Friend, April 1982, page 44)
First Reader: Jesus suffered for our sins, gave His life, and was resurrected so that all men everywhere could have eternal life if they would but come unto Him.
Third Reader: “For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him” (D&C 18:11).
Second Reader: Jesus Christ lives today, and He loves us. He wants all of us to come unto Him so that we can return to heaven and live with Him again.
First Reader: I can come unto Christ by reading the scriptures and praying to Heavenly Father.
Second Reader: I can come unto Christ by following His example and by keeping His commandments.
Third Reader: I can come unto Christ by repenting, by being baptized, and by receiving the Holy Ghost.
Fourth Reader: I can come unto Christ by partaking of the sacrament.
First Reader: I can come unto Christ by living worthily so that I can receive the blessings of the temple.
Song: “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, page 74)
Fourth Reader: In the Book of Mormon we read: “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moro. 10:32).
First Reader: Yes, come unto Christ this Christmas.
Come, learn of Him and His love.
Come and learn to be like Him.
Come honor Him above.Song: “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” (Hymns, page 202)
Sharing Time Ideas
1. Divide children into groups and have them draw pictures of scenes in program. Join pictures together and make roller-box picture show. (See Primary Sharing Time Resource Manual, page 29.)
2. Have each child write on narrow pieces of paper things he/she can do to follow Jesus’ example and come unto Him. Link papers together in chain for tree decoration, or make into advent calendar.
3. Each child could tell his favorite story of Jesus and draw picture to accompany it.
4. Make copies of picture of Christ and mount on poster board. Let children decorate poster board frame and display it at home.
5. Have children write Christmas card or letter to someone they love, expressing why they love Jesus.
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A Nativity Presentation
By Pat Graham and Alice Morrey BaileyPat Graham and Alice Morrey Bailey, “Sharing Time: A Nativity Presentation,” Friend, Dec. 1984, 12
Directions: Here is a program that you can present with your family during the Christmas season. Some of the family members will be readers and some will wear costumes and pantomime the actions. You can all sit in a circle, or you can have a “stage” area for those pantomiming.
If you are the director, you will choose which person will say or act out each part. If there are only a few members in your family, have only one or two people do all the reading. Write each reader’s name in the blank by his parts. Family members chosen to pantomime may need to take more than one part.
Have everyone design his own costume, or cut out each character’s picture from this page and glue it onto a name tag. Ask someone to lead the music and someone to hum or to play the background songs on an instrument. Everyone should practice his part. You can share this magazine or make copies of these pages for everyone.
Narrator _____________:
Every Christmas season
Our eyes grow strangely dim
When all the little children
Sing a cradle hymn.Song: “Christmas Cradle Song” (Sing with Me, F-5).
(Little children could hold dolls and rock them during singing.)
Narrator ______________:
Think of that first Christmas,
And from your heart will stem
A picture pathway leading
Back to Bethlehem.Background music: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Hymns, no. 165).
(Mary and Joseph should begin at the back of the room. Innkeepers should stand at three locations along their path. All should pantomime the words of the story.)
Narrator _________________:
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed …
“And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.”
Narrator ________________:
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem …
“To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”
(Mary and Joseph slowly walk toward First Innkeeper. Children with speaking parts need not be seen.)
Voice of Joseph _____________:
Do you have room for us at your inn?
Voice of First Innkeeper _____________:
No, all of our rooms are full.
(Mary and Joseph walk to Second Innkeeper.)
Voice of Joseph ______________:
Do you have room for us at your inn?
Voice of Second Innkeeper _____________:
No. we have no more room here.
(Mary and Joseph walk to Third Innkeeper.)
Voice of Joseph ____________:
Do you have room for us at your inn?
Voice of Third Innkeeper _______________:
Nothing at all. Every room is filled.
Voice of Joseph ____________:
We have come a long way, and my wife, Mary, is very tired. Surely you have some place where she can rest.
Voice of Third Innkeeper ______________:
There’s an unused stable. If you want to use it, you may.
Voice of Joseph ____________:
Thank you for your kindness, but Mary needs a comfortable room to rest in.
Voice of Mary _____________:
Joseph, let us take the stable. I cannot go farther.
(Third Innkeeper leads Mary and Joseph to a stable with a stone manger.)
Narrator _________________:
“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; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
(Mary lifts doll from cradle and hugs it.)
Song: “Mary’s Lullaby to the Infant King” (Sing with Me, F-10) or “Sleep Little Jesus,” (Friend, December 1981, page 38).
Narrator _________________:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
“And the angel said unto them,”
Voice of Angel _____________:
“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Song: “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains” (Hymns, no. 33), one verse.
Narrator ________________:
“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
Narrator __________________:
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
(Shepherds walk to manger.)
Song: “Picture a Christmas” (Friend, December 1983, page 28).
Narrator ________________:
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there [later] came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, …
“And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
(Mary and Joseph take doll out of manger area. Mary sits down and places doll in a cradle. Wise Men walk to family and kneel.)
Narrator ___________________:
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”
(Wise Men place gifts in front of cradle.)
Narrator ________________:
These earthly treasures were gifts fit for a king. Yet Jesus’ own gift was the greatest gift of all. He brought eternal life. Let your thoughts be upon Him at this time of year so that you may learn of Him and follow in His footsteps.
Song: “He Sent His Son” (Friend, December 1984, page 10) or “Joy to the World” (Hymns, no. 89).
Quotations are from Luke 2 and Matthew 2 [Matt. 2].
Sharing Time Ideas
1. Adapt this program to fit the number of children you wish to involve. To involve more children, you could assign each narrative part to a different person.
2. Additional songs or hymns can be added, using soloists, small groups, a class, all the children, or the entire congregation.
3. A microphone can be passed to the people with speaking parts, or the narrator(s) and angel could use the pulpit microphone.
4. Before each song is performed, the accompanist might play it softly as background music.
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The Christmas Story from the Book of Mormon
By Pat GrahamPat Graham, “Sharing Time: The Christmas Story from the Book of Mormon,” Friend, Dec. 1985, 40
Directions: This program can be presented with your family during the Christmas season. Some family members will be readers. They could wear costumes, or you could display the pictures on this page to identify the characters.
Assign the parts, and write each reader’s name in the blank by his part. Make copies of the parts so that everyone can practice reading slowly and with expression.
Ask someone to lead the music and someone to play the songs. Practice the songs before the program begins. As the director, it is your responsibility to help everyone do his part well.
Song: “December” (Sing with Me, F-9).
Young Child:
The best part of December–
My favorite time, by far–
Is when we read the story
Of the Baby and the star.Narrator:
At Christmastime we all love to read from the Bible the familiar story of the birth of baby Jesus.
Narrator:
The Book of Mormon also tells about the birth of Jesus and about the star. People on both sides of the world knew of the coming of the Savior.
Song: “Beautiful Savior” (Sing with Me, B-6).
Narrator:
A few years after Lehi and his family journeyed to America, his son Nephi beheld a vision of the city of Nazareth and a beautiful virgin who was to be the mother of the Son of God …
Nephi, the son of Lehi:
And it came to pass that I looked and beheld … the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white.
And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.
And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! (1 Ne. 11:13, 1 Ne. 20-21.)
Narrator:
Later the Nephites and the Lamanites were also told of the coming of Jesus by Samuel, a Lamanite prophet.
Samuel, the Lamanite:
Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. (Hel. 14:2-3, 5.)
Song: “Christmas in Zarahemla” (Friend, December 1985, page 29), first verse only.
Narrator:
Many Nephites did not believe Samuel. They threw rocks and shot arrows at him. But Samuel was protected until he had delivered his message. Then he returned to his own people in Zarahemla.
Some of the people, however, did believe Samuel’s words, and they repented and were baptized. Nephi, the grandson of Helaman, was a leader among those who believed. When five years had almost ended, the wicked unbelievers said that they would kill the righteous people if the signs prophesied by Samuel did not appear.
Nephi prayed for the people who believed in Jesus Christ. He did not want the wicked people to kill them. He prayed all day, and then the Lord spoke to him.
Voice of the Lord:
Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. (3 Ne. 1:13.)
Narrator:
It all happened. Here is how Mormon recorded it from the Large Plates of Nephi: “And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.
“And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.” (3 Ne. 1:15, 3 Ne. 21.)
Song: “Christmas in Zarahemla,” second verse.
Young Child:
I love the Christmas story,
I love the songs we sing,
But most of all I love the Savior–
Jesus Christ, the King.Song: “Once Within a Lowly Stable” (Sing with Me, F-12). A girl dressed like Mary could pose holding doll while family sings.
Narrator:
The star had risen. The prophecy had been fulfilled. And faithful people in both hemispheres saw the sign and understood. Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Song: “Christmas Bells” (Sing with Me, F-13), voice or bell descant, and or “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful” (Hymns, no. 202), first verse only.
Sharing Time Ideas
1. Adapt this program to fit the number of children you wish to involve. You could combine this presentation with “A Nativity Presentation” (Friend, December 1984, page 12).
2. Tell or dramatize “A Night Without Darkness” (Friend, November 1983, page 12, and December 1983, page 10) before presenting the program.
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Okay — it’s fixed, and I created a color and a black and white version of the file.
If you downloaded the original bad PDF, you may have to click the refresh button in your browser to get the new one.
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I noticed this a while ago and forgot to fix it! I’ll make the change today!
Jenny
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This is the LDS Church’s website with guidelines for Humanitarian projects and information on home food storage
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