I can have peace, happiness, and love
because of the coming of Jesus Christ
 

Show the children a newspaper.

• Why do we have newspapers? (To learn about what is happening in the world.) Invite a child or two to come to the front of the class and read one of the headlines. Ask the children if they can tell you what the article is about. You might want to take a few minutes to discuss the importance of the event the newspaper article is describing.
 

Explain that many prophets told the people about important future events, including some that would occur in the last days. The articles we read in the newspaper often describe events that fulfill these ancient prophecies about the last days. 
 

At Christmastime our thoughts and hearts turn to a little Baby born in Bethlehem. (Show a picture of manger scene). 

All through history and all over the world, people join in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Artists have painted wonderful pictures of what that time might have been like. Musicians have composed beautiful music praising His coming. Authors have written interesting stories and books to share their feelings about Christmas. We sing songs about the birth of Jesus. We send cards to each other expressing our joy that He came to earth. We set up nativity scenes with shepherds and Wise Men and Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus to remind us that Jesus came to this world as a baby and to celebrate this great event.
 

The birth of a baby is a wonderful thing, but we celebrate the Savior’s birth for a very special reason. It has to do with Easter. Without the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which we celebrate at Easter, no one would celebrate Christmas.

SING: Picture a Christmas
 

Baby Jesus was the One all the prophets promised would come into the world to be our Savior and Redeemer. He came to earth to show us how to live. He came to earth to die for us so that we could live again with our Father in Heaven. We are so grateful to Jesus Christ for what He did for us that we honor His birth by celebrating Christmas. With great joy, we also honor His resurrection by celebrating Easter.
 

There is another day we are going to celebrate: the day when Jesus Christ will return to earth. Hosts of angels will be with Him then, too. The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, was crucified, and was resurrected, will come to earth again.

Post this word strip: What would you do to prepare if you … ?

Pass out to classes/individuals these completions to the question:

• want to grow your own fruits and vegetables?
• want to bake chocolate chip cookies?
• want to build a playhouse?
• want to get 100% on your math test?
• have an important guest coming for a few days?

Have each class/child act out what they would do; let the other children guess what the preparation is. After the last one, say that someone important is coming and the key word in all of these examples is DO.  Just like in the song, "I am a child of God", the last phrase is "teach me all that I must DO". 

SING:  “When He Comes Again” (p. 82–83).  Ask the children to listen for the things the song suggests that we do to prepare for the Savior’s coming (do His will each day, let our lights shine).

For younger children: Pass a flashlight while singing “Shine On” (CS, p. 144). When the music stops, whoever is holding the light turns it on and tells one thing he can do to let his light shine.
 

SUMMARY: When the Savior comes again, He will bring peace for the nations. He will bring safety and joy for all the righteous. Those who love Him will be prepared to meet Him at that day. We can prepare now by keeping His commandments and by following His example. We can prepare by showing love for others and by listening to the whisperings of the Spirit.  If we do these things, we won't need to worry.  We can have peace, love and happiness.  Share your testimony.

Other Optional Ideas

- To learn more about what life will be like in the Millennium, when Christ returns to earth to reign for a thousand years, choose 2 children to role-play TV news anchorpersons, and assign each class to choose a “field reporter” to report the class’s findings on the following subjects in the scriptures:

• animals / Isa. 11:6–9; Hosea 2:18
• people / Isa. 54:heading, 3; Micah 4:4; D&C 63:50–51
• nations, government / Micah 4:1–3; Jer. 31:33; D&C 29:11
• miscellaneous—time of His coming / Matt. 24:36, 44; Zion and the return of the city of Enoch / D&C 45:66, 71; Moses 7:62–64.

Have the anchorpersons make up questions for each field reporter to tell what his/her class learned about their subject. Tell the children that we do not know exactly when the Savior will come, but we must be preparing to meet Him (see Matt. 25:1–13). (Idea taken from the December 1999 Sharing Time Suggestion)

Sources:

- December 1999 Sharing Time Suggestion
- The Prophet Isaiah, Primary Manual 6, Lesson 36