“Good Tidings of Great Joy”

CFM: December 18–24

Christmas

Videos and Podcasts

Video/ Podcast	​Lesson Extension	​Additional Materials
Scripture Central	Christmas	Book of Mormon References Study Guide
Follow Him	Christmas Part 1, Part 2	Transcripts
Line Upon Line	Christmas (not yet posted)	A Book of Mormon Christmas
Teaching with Power	Christmas
Don't Miss This	Christmas
​CFM New Testament	Christmas (not yet posted)
​Unshaken	Christmas (not yet posted)
​The Interpreter Foundation	Christmas	​Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh
​Teaching Helps with John Hilton	Christmas (not yet posted)
​Scripture Gems	Christmas (not yet posted)
​Ponderfun	Christmas (not yet posted)
​Talking Scripture	Christmas (not yet posted)

Merry Christmas!

This week, we momentarily pause our exploration of the Book of Revelation to focus on celebrating the birth of the Savior. It seems that many podcasters have also opted for a brief hiatus, as indicated by several (not yet posted) updates. However, there remains a wealth of content available for those eager to delve deeper into the sacred events of the Nativity story. Below, you will find several links offering a wide variety of media, from children's videos and insprirational stories, to in-depth discussions about the locations, details, context, and symbolism associated with the Nativity, all provide rich insights into the power and significance of this sacred event. Some of my personal favorites include the Messages of Christ and Drive Through History videos that are posted below. Some like to watch Halmark movies while wrapping Christmas Gifts, but these might provide some good options too. They might also be helpful for FHE, Advent Devotionals, or Christmas lessons.

As you prepare for this blessed season, we hope these resources will bring you closer to the teachings of our Savior, enriching your celebrations with a deeper spiritual dimension and a renewed appreciation for the miracle of His birth. Let the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts and homes as you explore and share these enriching insights.

Resources and Insights for this Week's Lesson

Church Library

• Jesus the Christ: The Babe of Bethlehem

• ChurchofJesusChrist.org Christmas

Church Videos & Resources

• The Christ Child: A Nativity Story

• A Silent Night Surprise in Times Square

• My Christmas Prayer For You - from President Nelson

• Luke 2 - The Nativity

• O Come, Emmanuel - The Piano Guys

• Samuel and the Star

• The Birth of Jesus: A Bible Story for Children

• A Light Unto All

Scripture Central

• Study Guide

Reading Guide

The Condescension of Christ

• D. Todd Christofferson, “The Condescension of God and of Man,” 2014 Christmas Devotional.

Christ’s Mission and the Gift Eternal Life

• Brent J. Schmidt and John W. Welch, “Graceful Christmas: Of Receiving and Giving,” Special Feature, December 21, 2017.

• D. Todd Christofferson, “A Message at Christmas,” BYU Speeches December 2017.

• Lynne Hilton Wilson, “Jesus’ Atonement Foretold through His Birth,” in To Save the Lost, ed. Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and Kent P. Jackson (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2009), 103–26.

• Russell M. Nelson, “Christ the Savior is Born,” BYU Speeches December 2002.

When Was Christ Born?

• Jeffrey R. Chadwick, “Dating the Birth of Christ,” BYU Studies 49, no. 4 (2010): 4-38.

• Eric D. Huntsman, “How Christmas Came to Be on December 25,” New Testament Commentary, December 2013.

The Gospels’ Accounts

• John W. Welch, “Are the Christmas Stories in Matthew and Luke Reconcilable?” BYU New Testament Commentary, December 2013.

• Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Can We See the Christ in Christmas?” First Presidency Christmas Devotional 2009.

• Joseph Fielding McConkie, “Special Witnesses of the Birth of Christ,” in Sperry Symposium Classics: The New Testament, ed. Frank F. Judd Jr. and Gaye Strathearn (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006), 108–121.

Keeping Christ in Christmas

• Boyd K. Packer, “Keeping Christmas,” BYU Speeches, December 1962.

• Bonnie L. Oscarson, “Christmas Is Christlike Love,” 2014 Christmas Devotional.

The Bible Project

• The Birth of Jesus: Luke 1-2

BYU’s RSC

• Jesus' Atonement Fortold through His Birth

• Special Witness of the Birth of Christ

Messages of Christ

• A Christmas Message: The Creation, Fall, and Atonement

• First What was the birth of Jeusus like?

• Who were the Shepherds?

• Why was Jesus swaddled and laid in a manger?

• Who were the Wisemen - A Nativity Story

• Gold, Frankincence, and Myrrh: Gifts of the Wise Men

• The Annunciations to Mary and Zacharias

• Mary the Mother of Jesus

• The remarkable story of Joseph the carpenter 

• What the Genealogy of Jesus teaches us about the Savior

• Ancient birth customs - Nativity Story

• The Heavenly Hosts

• The Temple Shepherds - Nativity Story

• Jesus and Hanukkah

Chosen

• The Shepherd

• The Messanger

Drive Through History with David Stotts

• The Culture at the Time of Jesus' Birth

• The First Nativity Scene

• The Birth of Jesus

• Shepherds in the Fields near Bethlehem 

• The Magi

• Christmas Traditions

Books

• Good Tidings of Great Joy by Eric D. Huntsman

• Advent of the Savior by Steven J. Blinz

• The Nativity by Alonzo L Gaskill

• Mary and Elisabeth by S. Kent Brown

• A Coming Christ in Advent and An Adult Christ at Christmas by Raymond Brown