Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Devotional: Sing the story of Christmas

Songs have a way of telling a story through the rhythm, tempo and nuances of the song. 
The primary songs and Hymns have the words of the scriptures set to music. 
Today we are going to sing the story of Jesus Christ’s birth. 

Prophets prophesied of the Lord Jesus birth
centuries before it came to pass.

Samuel the Lamanite was just one of the many who did so. 
 He also prophesied of signs the people in the new world
would see when Christ was born. Read here.

 Let’s sing about the brave prophet Samuel.

Here are some actions that go to verse 1 & 2
1st Verse
Said Samuel, (Samuel standing on the wall)
Within five years  (hold up 5 fingers)
A night  (sleeping hands under head)
Will be as day (stretch arms like waking up)
And baby Jesus will be born (rock the baby)
In a land far, far away. (place hand on forehead looking into the distance)

2nd Verse
Across the sea in Bethlehem (make waves with your hand)
Lord Jesus came to earth (rock the baby)
As Samuel had prophesied (Samuel standing on the wall)
And angels (flap wings, the ASL sign for angel)
Sang (singing position hands)
His birth (rock the baby)


Shepherds abiding their fields by night
were also given a sign that the baby Jesus was born. 
In Luke 2:8-15 it talks about the angel of the Lord
telling the shepherds to go and see the baby Jesus
wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger
and that a sign (a star) will shine brightly above him


Here is a song that I would like to think the shepherds sang
when they saw the baby Jesus.


What was it like to be born in a stable,
lay in a manger and surrounded by
animals, shepherds and wise men? 
Let sing about Baby Jesus
and his humbling experience in the stable.



We still celebrate with joy and excitement
the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. 

He came to earth
as a baby,
became a teacher,

a friend


our brother

and through the atonement
the Savior of the World.


Listen to the bells toll around the world celebrating Christmas Day.



Have the children ring bells during the song.



Have a very Merry Christmas
from me to you and your family.

All pictures, songs and scriptures courtesy of LDS.Org.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Singing Time outline for 2013 - I Am A Child of God

This year I am only planning up through the end of April.  My baby is due in May and there is a high possibility we will be moving to our new home in the summer. 

Singing Time Outline for 2013
I Am a Child of God

January – Theme: I am a child of God, and He has a plan for me.

Week 1: God is my Heavenly Father.  He knows and loves me
Jan. 6, 2013
Opening:  I Feel My Savior’s Love                                                                            74
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: I am a Child of God (verse 1)                                                                            2

Closing: I Know My Father Lives                                                                               5         

Week 2: Heavenly Father’s plan is a plan of happiness.
Jan. 13, 2013
Opening:  I Lived in Heaven                                                                                        4
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: If you’re Happy                                                                                                   266
Song: I am a Child of God (verse 2)                                                                            2

Closing: I Will Follow God’s Plan                                                                               164     

Week 3: Heavenly Father’s plan is a plan of happiness.
Jan.20, 2013
Opening:  I Will Follow God’s Plan                                                                          164
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: Smiles                                                                                                                267
Song: I am a Child of God (verse 3)                                                                            2

Closing: I Lived in Heaven                                                                                           4



Week 4: I have agency, and I am responsible for my choices.
Jan. 27, 2013
Opening:  Choose the Right                                                                                        Hymn
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                  260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: I Pledge Myself to Love the Right                                                                  161
Song: I am a Child of God (verse 4)                                                                            2

Closing: Choose the Right Way                                                                                 160     

February – Theme: The Earth was created for Heavenly Father’s children

Week 1: Jesus Christ created the earth under the direction of Heavenly Father.
Feb. 3, 2013
Opening:  I Am a Child of God                                                                                   2
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me (verse 1)                                                       228

Closing: God Is Watching Over All                                                                          229     

Week 2: The Fall was part of God’s plan.
Feb. 10, 2013
Opening:  As a Child of God   (verse 1)                                                          
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me (verse 2)                                                       228

Closing: Choose the Right                                                                                          Hymn








Week 3: I have been sent to earth to gain a body and be tested
Feb. 17, 2013
Opening:  Choose the Right Way                                                                               160
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: Hinges                                                                                                               277
Song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me (verse 1&2)                                                  228

Closing: I Am a Child of God                                                                                      2

Week 4: If I keep the commandments I can live with Heavenly Father again.
Feb. 3, 2013
Opening:  The Commandments                                                                                  112
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me (verse 1&2)                                                  228

Closing: Keep the Commandments                                                                            146

March – Theme: Jesus Christ is our Savior

Week 1: Jesus Christ taught the gospel and set and example for us.
March. 3, 2013
Opening: I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus                                                                       78
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: If the Savior Stood Beside Me (verse 1)                                 Sharing Time Outline
Sharing Time: Do as I am Doing                                                                                 276

Closing: Tell Me The Stories of Jesus                                                                       57       







Week 2: Because of Christ’s Atonement I can live with God again.
March. 10, 2013
Opening: To Think About Jesus                                                                                71
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: If the Savior Stood Beside Me (verse 2)                                 Sharing Time Outline

Closing: I Lived in Heaven (verse 1&2)                                                                      4

Week 3: Because Jesus Christ was resurrected I will be too.
March. 17, 2013
Opening: Jesus Has Risen                                                                                         70
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: If the Savior Stood Beside Me (verse 3)                                 Sharing Time Outline

Closing: Hosanna                                                                                                        66       

Week 4: Jesus Christ is our Savior
March. 24, 2013
Opening: I know my Father Lives                                                                             5
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: If the Savior Stood Beside Me (verse 1,2 & 3)                       Sharing Time Outline

Closing: I Am a Child of God                                                                                           2











Week 5:
March. 31, 2013
Opening: The Third Article of Faith                                                                        123     
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time: Review
Song: If the Savior Stood Beside Me (verse 1,2 &3)                        Sharing Time Outline
Song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me (verse 1&2)                                                  228
Song: I Am a Child of God                                                                                           2

Closing: Faith                                                                                                                96       

April – Jesus Christ restore the church in the Latter Days.

Week 1: Jesus Christ taught the gospel and set and example for us.
April 7, 2013
Opening: The Sixth Article of Faith                                                                           126
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: On a Golden Springtime           ( verse 1)                                                           88

Closing: The Golden Plates                                                                                           86       

Week 2: Jesus Heavenly Father and Jesus Appeared to Joseph Smith
April 7, 2013
Opening: The Sixth Article of Faith                                                                           126
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: On a Golden Springtime (verse 2)                                                                    88
Song: The Golden Plates                                                                                               86

Closing: This is My Beloved Son       (verse 3)                                                           76






Week 3: Priesthood authority was restored by Heavenly messengers
April 21, 2013
Opening: The Priesthood is Restored                                                                        89
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: On a Golden Springtime                                                                                   88
Song: The Golden Plates                                                                                              86

Closing: An Angel Came to Joseph Smith                                                                 86

Week 4: Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and restored gospel truths.
April 28, 2013
Opening: The Eighth Article of Faith                                                                         127
Welcome:  Hello Song                                                                                                 260
Birthday:  Happy, Happy Birthday                                                                             284
Baptism:  When I am Baptized                                                                                   103

Singing Time
Song: On a Golden Springtime                                                                                   88
Song: The Golden Plates                                                                                              86

Closing: The Fifth Article of Faith                                                                              125