He Sent His Son

By Elizabeth Ricks

“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).

This year we have been learning about promises. A promise is a pledge that you will do something or not do something.

As we read the scriptures, we see that the Father and the Son always fulfill Their promises. One of the greatest promises that Heavenly Father made was to send His Son to the earth. In the Grand Council in Heaven, Heavenly Father promised to send a Savior. The Savior would atone for our sins so that we could live with Heavenly Father again.

How did Heavenly Father send His Son to the earth? He sent Him as a newborn baby. He allowed Jesus to learn and grow, just the way that we learn and grow. Because Heavenly Father loves us so much, He allowed His Son to die for us. But then Jesus was resurrected, making it possible for us to live again too.

What a wondrous promise Jesus Christ was to the earth! Heavenly Father had promised to send Him. Heavenly Father kept His promise.

What does Heavenly Father expect from us? The Primary song “He Sent His Son” reminds us:

Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.

What does he ask? Live like his Son.

(Children’s Songbook, 34–35)

As we live as Jesus lived, we will qualify for the promises that Heavenly Father has for us.

Before-or-After Game

Glue page F4 to heavy paper, and cut out the cards. Place the round Nativity card on a flat surface. Read the scripture listed. Take turns choosing cards and reading scriptures. If the scripture tells about an event that happened or a prophecy that was given before Jesus was born, put it before the picture of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. If the scripture tells about an event or prophecy that came after Jesus was born, put the card after the picture of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

Image

paintings of Christ

Illustrations by Paul Mann; The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ’s Birth and The Second Coming, by Harry Anderson; The Birth of Christ, by Robert T. Barrett; Annunciation to the Shepherds, by Del Parson

Note: If you do not wish to remove pages from the magazine, this activity may be copied, traced, or printed from the Internet at www.lds.org. For English, click on “Gospel Library.” For other languages, click on the world map.

Sharing Time Ideas

A week ahead, invite a member of the bishopric or branch presidency to come to Primary, and tell the children that he will be visiting them. When the children enter the room, remind them that a guest is coming. Sing a Christmas song while they wait. Look to see if the guest is coming. Tell the children that Heavenly Father promised to send a Savior to the world. The people waited and waited for the Savior. They didn’t know exactly when the Savior would come. Continue singing until the guest arrives. Have him arrive with a set of scriptures wrapped as a gift. Invite a child to unwrap the gift and read John 3:16. Have the guest share the story of how Heavenly Father gave the gift of His Son to the world. Have the pianist softly play while the guest reads Luke 2:1–20. Explain that the guest had promised to come visit and he kept his promise. Heavenly Father promised to send His Son; Heavenly Father kept His promise.
Remind the children that all year we have been talking about the promises of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Have the children mark 2 Nephi 10:17. Explain that we too can make promises. We need to promise to follow Jesus Christ. Ask the children to suggest things Jesus did that they can do. List their ideas on the chalkboard. Divide the children into groups. Allow the groups to illustrate an idea from the chalkboard.