Finding Christ in Christmas
By KeriAnne Swasey
As each group enters the first room (young women’s room), they will be greeted by an angel of the Lord who will declare, (St. Luke 2: 10-12) “…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 Savior, 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. (The song Glory to God in the Highest will be playing in the background while the angel says their part.
Then the angel will give an adult from the group their first clue for the spiritual scavenger hunt.)
(Each group will search for the next room on their spiritual scavenger hunt. They will be given clues leading them to each room. (If they cannot find the correct room, they can look to the answer written very small and upside down on the bottom of the clue. In each room there will be people dressed as characters from the nativity scene. Each character will tell about a part of the Savior’s life here on earth, and remind us of one of the symbols of Christmas to help us remember the Savior. Each of the characters will also give the children a paper symbol to reiterate their message, and keep them involved in the scavenger hunt.)
This will be written on the first clue card:
(Please read this clue loud & clear to your entire group.) Welcome to our spiritual scavenger hunt. You are on a mission to find Christ in Christmas. You will be traveling from room to room throughout this hunt. We want everyone to have an enjoyable and spiritual time. We ask you to be reverent as you find your next room, and to let the young children take part by figuring out the clues.
Clue #1: If Jesus were to come to church with you,
He might go to this microphone to teach a lesson or two.
If Jesus sat in this room on Sunday,
Upon the bread & water He’d hear us pray.
Room: Sacrament room
People: Inn keeper
Symbol: Christmas tree
Theme: “Come unto Me”
Room Décor: bare Christmas trees, & pictures of the Savior w/ outstretched arms inviting us to come unto Him
I am an innkeeper who did not have room in my inn for Mary, Joseph, and their heavenly child. I turned them away. My message for you today is to make room for Christ in your life. Christ has continually urged us to, “Come unto Him”, and I hope that we will listen to His request. I want to share some scriptures with you. They are in Matt. 11:28-30. These are some of Christ’s teachings while He was here on earth.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I hope that each of you will think on how you can make room for Christ in your life now and always. I’d like to play a song for you, please listen to the message of this song, and dwell on how you can actively let Christ into your life.
Song: Inn keeper
(Chorus says, “Inn keepers, do you have room for the child?)
The Savior clearly wants all of us to come to Him so that we can be like Him and return to live with our Father in Heaven. The purpose of our Heavenly Father’s plan is to, “Bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man,” as it says in Moses 1:39. As you see the beautiful Christmas trees all around you this season, I hope that you remember that it is a symbol of Christ’s never ending love for you. It is evergreen just as Christ has endless love for us, and just as he is endlessly beaconing for us to come unto Him. Its branches also point toward heaven to remind us to continually look toward heaven in all we do.
You have now begun your journey of “Finding Christ in Christmas”. I have a Christmas tree for each of the children so that they can remember the message I have shared with all of you tonight. Please keep this tree because you will add things to it later on. (The inn keeper will then pass out the paper Christmas Trees.) Here is your next clue. (The inn keeper will then give an adult the next clue to read aloud to the group.)
Clue #2:
If Jesus came here today, & he was feeling hungry,
He’d go to this room to fill up His tummy.
If He needed a snack, or a tasty treat,
He’d go here to get a bite to eat.
Kitchen (The room is right next to the kitchen.)
Room: Kitchen
People: Shepherd
Symbol: candy cane
Theme: Christ is the good Shepard
Room Décor: Pictures of Christ as the good Shepard, & candy canes throughout the room
1st Shepherd: We are the Shepherds to whom the angel of the Lord proclaimed, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” We are here to testify to you that our Savior was the good shepherd. We would like to read to you a scene from the Savior’s life.
2nd Shepherd: It is found in Mark 6:34-44 (The miracle of the loaves & fishes).
34 “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
37 He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? Go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, And two fishes.
39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
41 And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them, to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
42 And they did all eat, and were filled.
43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
1st Shepherd: This was one of the many miracles that the Savior performed while He was here on earth. It is interesting that He says that the people there were as sheep without a shepherd, and then He started to teach them. He was the good shepherd. He saw when His followers were both spiritually, and physically hungry, and He fed them, just as we would do for our sheep. He also leads His people as we lead our sheep to safety and rest, and those that followed His council will never be lost and will find rest in Him.
2nd Shepherd: We hope that during this Christmas Season, and always that you will remember that our Savior was the good shepherd, and just as St. John 6:35 says, “…he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
1st Shepherd: We give each of you a symbol of Christmas, a candy cane, which is in the shape of a shepherd’s crook. We hope that you remember that our Savior is the Shepard of us all, and would not leave even one of us behind.
(The shepherds will then give each of the children a paper candy cane to stick on their Christmas tree as well as a real candy cane. Then they will give the next clue to an adult to read.)
Clue #3: In this room Jesus would find the man,
That leads our ward through our Heavenly Father’s plan.
Jesus would know that this man loves each of us.
The last name of this man is Lewis.
Room: Bishop’s office (Room close to it)
People: Wise Men
Symbol: star
Theme: Follow the teaching’s of Christ & His servants
Room Décor: Pictures of people listening to Jesus, white Christmas lights and stars will be placed around the room.
1st Wise man: We are the wise men that followed the star to find and worship the Savior of the world. We have sought him out by diligent study, and we hope that each of you will do the same. We want to remind each of you of some of the teachings of our Savior from the Sermon on the Mount.
2nd Wise man: They are found in Matt 5: 38-48.
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hat been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
1st Wise man: The Savior taught us many things, and these are just a small portion of His words. He has instructed his prophets to write his words so that we in these latter days may use them as our own guiding star to find Him.
2nd Wise man: We have a star for each of the children to put on top of their Christmas tree. We want to remind you of the star as a symbol of our guiding light to Christ. And give you this promise as found in Dan 12:3, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” We give you this promise in hope that you will be wise and seek out the Savior.
(The wise men will then give each of the children a star to put on top of their tree.)
Clue #4:
If Jesus came to this room He would not find many men.
Instead He’d find women learning about Him.
Here He’d find some of those that serve others,
Inside of this room you’d find your mothers.
Room: Relief Society room
People: Joseph
Symbol: bow
Theme: Jesus served others
Room Décor: Pictures of Jesus washing His disciples feet & healing others, Christmas bows found throughout the room.
I am Joseph, whom Jesus looked to as an earthly father. I was by Mary’s side the first time we looked upon our heavenly child, and throughout most of His life here on earth. I am here to testify that Jesus is our Lord, and as such, he was the greatest servant of men. I want to share with you the story of Jesus washing the twelve disciple’s feet. The story can be found in St.John 13:4-17.
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed, needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
I want to remind each of you of the bow as a symbol of Christmas. During this season and always may we serve each other as Christ served us, that we may all be tied together in bonds of goodwill one toward another, that we may become united as one. Please remember as the scripture says in Mosiah 2:17 “…that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
I have a bow for each of the children to put on their Christmas trees. (Joseph will then give them each a bow, and then an adult the next clue.)
(Joseph will then give each of the children a bow for their scavenger hunt Christmas tree.)
Clue #5:
Of all the rooms, Jesus might make this His first stop.
To see all the children and what they’ve been taught.
Inside of this room He’d hear children singing songs of praise,
He’d come here to visit with Sister Hayes.
People: Mary
Symbol: Red
Theme: Jesus loved everyone
Room Décor: Pictures of Jesus w/ the little children, other pictures of Jesus showing love for others, Red garlands & ornaments throughout room
I am Mary the mother of Jesus whom the angel said was highly favored of the Lord. I was so amazed and struck with awe that I was to be the mother of the redeemer. I know that my son was sent to this earth to redeem all mankind, and to give them what no one else could give, His life, and His example. Greatest of all was his example of love for others. He especially loved the little children. In Mark 10:13-16 we read about when Jesus blessed the little children.
13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
I hope that you always remember how precious your little children are, and that you also remember that we each are children of God. He wants each of us to come unto him just as he bid the children to come to him, because He loves us.
During this Christmas season I hope that when you see the color red that you remember that it’s symbolic of the great love Jesus has for us. And to remember that as
John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(The music, “As I Have Loved You” will play on a CD player and then Mary will pass out a red ornament for the kids to put on their Christmas tree.)
Clue #6:
In this room there are crayons and puzzles, and toys,
So much fun here for the tiny girls and boys.
If Jesus came here He’d definitely stay awhile,
And play with the babies and make them all smile.
Room: nursery room
People: Baby Jesus (a doll)
Symbol: gifts
Theme: Jesus was the Greatest Gift we have ever received
Room Décor: Baby Jesus in a manger w/ hay, wrapped in swaddling clothes, He will be surrounded by beautifully wrapped presents, & have a light shining on Him, somewhere in the room it will say, “Jesus was the greatest gift”.
Prerecording of Luke Ch. 2:1-16
– Song: Silent Night will play
(This will be written on a paper by the door as everyone exits. There will be sheets of paper for everyone to write on, and a box wrapped up to “give” to the Savior. The gift will have a label that says, “To: Jesus, From: The Nellis Manor Ward”)
As you leave this room please reflect on a gift that you can give to our Savior this Christmas. Think of some way you can serve more fully, something you need to stop doing, some act of service you could do for another, or whatever you may think of. Please do not write your name on your gift so that they may remain anonymous. Write it down and put it in this box as a gift to our Savior