"Mormon Christmas"

[Nofear]

Thoughts?
 

 

[Amulek]

Summary?

 

[ZealouslyStriving]

6 minutes ago, Amulek said:

Summary?

 

We're utterly ordinary, but we have Giving Machines!

[The Nehor]

I prefer the Puritan traditions:

 

[Calm]

Wasn’t a bad intro to how we celebrate or don’t (not much set worship outside the Sacrament and a program created by the ward).  Home stuff is pretty typical, we might add the story in 3 Nephi to telling of the NT Nativity.  Basic ward stuff.  Service, lots and lots of it.  Ward Christmas Program.  Light the World and Giving Machines.  The Christmas Devotional.

They did miss the Tabernacle performances and lighting up Temple Square.  I hadn’t heard of the digital display campaigns that have started, that’s cool (see link below)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/light-the-world

Edited December 18, 2024 by Calm

[Amulek]

21 hours ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

We're utterly ordinary, but we have Giving Machines!

Fair enough.

[Dario_M]

Edit. 

Edited December 18, 2024 by Dario_M

[Anakin7]

https://thirdhour.org/blog/life/holidays/christmas/the-real-story-of-christmas/    For your Christmas viewing pleasure - 

 

Edited December 21, 2024 by Anakin7
error

[Calm]

While the song is lovely, I am not sure how scriptural it is unless one assumes Mary had a bad memory.

some of the lyrics:

Quote

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God

I suppose one could say the song is fine if the answer expected is “well, I might not have known the details, but I was told the gist of it by Gabriel before my son was born”.

Quote

“Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor [a] with God.
31 You will become pregnant, give birth to a son,
and name him Jesus.
32 He will be a great man
and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his ancestor David.
33 Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever,
and his kingdom will never end.”

34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be? I’m a virgin.”

35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.

Of anyone living at the time, my guess is Mary has the best understanding of who Jesus was, especially since she was probably very familiar with what was going on in her cousin’s family.

John’s blessing by his father:

Quote

You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High.
You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way.
77 You will make his people know that they can be saved
through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 A new day will dawn on us from above
because our God is loving and merciful.
79 He will give light to those who live in the dark
and in death’s shadow.
He will guide us into the way of peace

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke 1&version=GW

And then after the birth there came the shepherds with another message they passed on:

Quote

The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. 11 Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David’s city. 12 This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly, a large army of angels appeared with the angel. They were praising God by saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those who have his good will!”

15 The angels left them and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.”

16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in a manger. 17 When they saw the child, they repeated what they had been told about him. 18 Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was amazed.

19 Mary treasured all these things in her heart and always thought about them.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke 2&version=GW

The last verse makes it clear Mary did not have a bad memory:

“19 Mary treasured all these things in her heart and always thought about them”

Edited December 21, 2024 by Calm

[Calm]

And let’s not forget Simeon and Anna:

Quote

“Now, Lord, you are allowing your servant to leave in peace
as you promised.
30 My eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared for all people to see.
32 He is a light that will reveal ⌞salvation⌟to the nations
and bring glory to your people Israel.”

33 Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “This child is the reason that many people in Israel will be condemned and many others will be saved. He will be a sign that will expose 35 the thoughts of those who reject him. And a sword will pierce your heart.”

Quote

Anna never left the temple courtyard but worshiped day and night by fasting and praying. 38 At that moment she came up to Mary and Joseph and began to thank God. She spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for Jerusalem to be set free.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke 2&version=GW