New Year Resolutions

"The message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live" (Pres. Henry B. Eyring, Ensign Nov. 2009).



Opening song: I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus (CS, 78-79)
Prayer: Luke
Scripture: John 13:34

Lesson:
Resolutions & Goal-Setting
Define what a goal is and invite family members to share some examples of goals they have set and what they did to accomplish them. Point out that it helps to write down our goals and tell our family about them. That way they can support us in our goals. Remind children that goals take time, practice and work because they are often difficult to accomplish. (Reference: "Amy's Goal", Friend Jan. 2010)

Jesus Is Our Perfect Example
Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior. What are some attributes of the Savior? What are some goals we might set to help us become more like the Savior? Invite family members to suggest goals that will help them become more like the Savior. Write down your goals or draw a picture of what you will try to do. Testify that Jesus lived a perfect life and showed us the way to be happy. When we try each day to be like Jesus, we prepare to live with God again.

Jesus Commanded Us to Be Perfect
Pres. Eyring has said, "We believe that through living the gospel of Jesus Christ we can become like the Savior, who is perfect." Read Matt. 5:43-48 and discuss what Jesus meant when He commanded us to be perfect (love everyone, even our enemies). Testify that the Savior loves everyone, including us. Challenge each family member to try to become more like the Savior by showing an increase of love toward others, particularly their family members.

Optional: Share more excerpts from "Our Perfect Example" by Pres. Henry B. Eyring (see Ensign, November 2009).

Closing song: Love One Another (Hymns, 308)
Prayer: Dad

Activity:
Family Memory Box
Decorate a shoe box or coffee can like a time capsule then fill it with memories from the previous year (e.g. include family pictures, souvenirs from family outings, hand prints made by the children, and letters written about each child). You could also include a written statement describing last year's accomplishments and family goals (or resolutions) for the new year. Open the box one year later and enjoy the memories.

Tip: Prepare in advance a fill-in-the-blank form letter for each of your children, then quickly interview them to fill in the blanks with their own answers (see Friend, Jan. 2005).

Our family adds more letters and memorabilia to the box year after year. It has become a fun New Year's Day tradition to open our time capsule and read the letters we have written to ourselves.

Refreshments:
Caramel Popcorn

Credits:
Conducting= Collin
Lesson= Mom
Activity= Dad
Treat= Luke

The True Gift of Christmas

"Eternal life is to inherit a place in the celestial kingdom, where we will live in God's presence and continue as families. This gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ" (True to the Faith, pg. 52).



Opening song: Away in a Manger (Hymns, 206)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: John 8:12

Lesson:
Wisemen Follow a New Star
Turn off the lights and tell the story of the wisemen from the east (see Matthew 2:1-12). Provide paper crowns for the children to wear. Shine a flashlight on the ceiling to represent the new star. (Or, decorate a bedroom ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars.) Describe how the wisemen followed the star to find baby Jesus. Why did God choose a star to be the sign of Christ's birth? How is Jesus the light of the world?

Wisemen Bring Gifts to Jesus
Use the flashlight to help you walk in the dark to the Christmas tree. Point out the star on the top of the Christmas tree. Explain that it represents the new star that appeared the night Jesus was born. Describe the gifts the wisemen brought to Jesus. What was the significance of these gifts? What gifts can we give to the Savior?

The Gift of Eternal Life
Read John 3:16. What gift did God give to the world? Because God loves us, He sent His Son to be a Savior for us. Explain that the evergreen leaves of the Christmas tree remind us to hope for eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God (D&C 14:7). Write the words "eternal life" on the gift you wrapped. Keep it under the tree to help you remember the gift of life God gave to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

Testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Because of his atoning sacrifice, we have hope for eternal life.

Activity:
Choose a Favorite Neighborhood Light Display
Drive through your neighborhood to enjoy the Christmas light displays. Choose one house that is your favorite and leave an award certificate for best light display along with some Christmas goodies.

Gift Wrap Games
Provide an inexpensive gift that has been wrapped with multiple layers of wrapping paper. Sit in a circle and take turns rolling two dice. The first person to roll doubles will put on a pair of winter mittens and try to open the gift. Meanwhile, other family members continue to roll the dice. As soon as the next person rolls doubles, the mittens and gift are passed to them. They take a turn to unwrap the gift. Play continues until the gift is entirely unwrapped.

Closing song: Stars Were Gleaming (CS, 37)
Prayer: Mom

Refreshments:
Apricot Spice Cake with Caramel Frosting

Credits:
Conducting= Luke
Lesson= Dad
Activity= Collin
Treat= Mom