Friday, December 5, 2008

Christmas Daily Devotional Ideas

An idea for your family to participate in a daily devotional to commemorate the birth of the Savior. This helps us focus on the true meaning of Christmas. The original idea was taken from the New Era, December 1989.

I found this on Sugardoodle.net and decided to do this in the evening with my little family - they suggest doing it in the morning - but we can't add another thing to our routine and be happy in the morning. For us, I think it would be a better fit if we did this at night before bed.

Introduction: We are going to review the Saviors earthly mission through His return as Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. Each day we will read a passage of scripture. Each day there will be a suggestion of something to do that will help you draw closer to the Lord, and there will be a suggested hymn to sing.

December 1:
Today's Goal: Invite your family or a friend to participate with you.
Reading: Matt 18:20
Song: Oh Come All Ye Faithful, hymns # 202

December 2:
Today's Goal: As you begin to decorate for Christmas, make a decoration that will remind you of the Savior and His mission.
Reading: Mosiah 3: 5-6, 8-10.
Song: I Believe In Christ, hymns 134

December 3:
Today's Goal: In one of your prayers today, give thanks for all the blessings you can think of, do not ask for anything.
Reading: Luke 17:12,14,15,17
Song: Count Your Blessings, hymns 241

December 4:
Today's Goal: Feed someone spiritually - write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and give it away.
Reading: Matt 14:15-19
Song: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, Children's Songbook 57

December 5:
Today's Goal: Look up at the heavens and think about who made the sun, moon, and stars record your feelings in your journal.
Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13
Song: The Lord Is My Light, hymns 89

December 6:
Today's Goal: Try to be as kind as possible to others today.
Reading: 3 Nephi 17: 5, 6, 9
Song: I Need Thee Every Hour, hymns 98

December 7:
Today's Goal: Foster peace on earth by not quarreling with your family or friends.
Reading: 3 Nephi 12:3-9
Song: More Holiness Give Me, hymns 131

December 8:
Today's Goal: Go out of your way to be a friend to someone who needs a friend, follow through in the days and weeks to come.
Reading: Matt 11:28
Song: Come Unto Jesus, hymns 117

December 9:
Today's Goal: Do an anonymous deed today.
Reading: Luke 10:30-34, 36
Song: Because I Have Been Given Much, hymns 219

December 10:
Today's Goal: Use your free agency to set some goals for yourself, seal a copy in an envelope to be opened next year.
Reading: Moses 4:1-3
Song: How Great the Wisdom and the Love, hymns 195

December 11:
Today's Goal: Visit or call someone who is sick or lonely.
Reading: Matt 25:37-40
Song: A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, hymns 29

December 12:
Today's Goal: You'll treasure the time you spend helping others. Do volunteer work for some worthy cause.
Reading: 3 Nephi 13:19-20
Song: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, hymns 214

December 13:
Today's Goal: Do something to bring cheer to someone who has reason to feel sad.
Reading: John 11:35, 36, 41, 43, 44
Song: Abide With Me, hymns 166

December 14:
Today's Goal: As you partake of the sacrament, make a special effort to think about the Savior Reading: 3 Nephi 18:1,3,5,7,9-11
Song: While of These Emblems We Partake, hymns 173

December 15:
Today's Goal: Today tell someone that you love them. Express love for the Lord in your prayers. Reading: John 14:15, Matt 7:12, Mark 10:43-44, John 13:34-35
Song: Love One Another, Hymns 308

December 16:
Today's Goal: Try to forgive someone who has wronged you. If appropriate, go to him or her today and be reconciled.
Reading: 3 Nephi 12:44
Song: Did You Think To Pray, hymns 140

December 17:
Today's Goal: Do something fun with a child.
Reading: 3 Nephi 17:12, 21, 24
Song: I Think When I Read That Sweet Story, Children's Songbook 56

December 18:
Today's Goal: Be a calming influence today and try extra hard to control your temper.
Reading: Matt 8:23-26
Song: Master the Tempest is Raging, hymns 105

December 19:
Today's Goal: Accept the gift of forgiveness. Pray to Heavenly Father about some weakness and ask for help in repenting of it.
Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19
Song: How Great Thou Art, hymns 86

December 20:
Today's Goal: Read the accounts of the crucifixion of the four gospels, and then write your feelings in your journal.
Reading: Matt 27:28-30, Luke 23:33-34, Mark 15:29-32
Song: There Is A Green Hill Far Away, hymn 194

December 21:
Today's Goal: Read the accounts of the resurrection in the four gospels and 3 Nephi, and then write your feelings in your journal.
Reading: Matt 28:1-6, Isaiah 25:8, 3 Nephi 11: 1
Song: He Is Risen, hymns 199

December 22:
Today's Goal: Go look at Christmas lights and think about where all light really comes from.
Reading: John 6:35, 8: 12, 10:14, 11:25
Song: The Lord Is My Shepherd, hymns 108

December 23:
Today's Goal: Go caroling with friends, but add other hymns that explore other aspects of the Savior's ministry.
Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 76: 19-24
Song: I Know That My Redeemer Lives, hymns 136
December 24:
Today's Goal: Try to live this day as if it were the day of the Christ's second coming.
Reading: Matt 24:27, 29-30, 36, 42
Song: When He Comes Again, Children's Songbook 82

December 25:
Today's Goal: Jesus was born in the meridian of time, thus giving an ideal vantage point to look both backward and forward. For the last 24 days you have stood, as it were, in Bethlehem, gazing in both directions. You have heard the Master's voice in pre-mortal councils. You have seen Him suffer, die, and rise again. You have watched Him return triumphant in the clouds of heaven. Now you are ready to focus with greater joy on that moment when heaven came down to earth.
Today's Goal: Consider what gift you could give the Savior and determine to give it all year long.
Reading: 1 Nephi 11:14-15, 18-21; Luke 1:30-32, 34-35, 38; Luke 2:1, 3-16
Song: Joy To the World, hymns 201

December 26:
Your goal today and for the rest of your life is to read and enjoy the word of God as found in the Holy Scriptures. Give yourself a gift that fills every day of your life with the real spirit of Christmas.

3 comments:

Ann Marie said...

I will have to do this when my kids get a little older. There attention spans are not so big, and we are lucky right now to get a Christmas story read each night.

Thanks for sharing the great idea!
Happy weekend!

Scrappy Girl said...

Great idea! It can be hard to get kids to see the real meaning of Christmas through all the Santa stuff...love this idea!

CompleteLee Blogger said...

I like the idea of adding a daily goal. Perhaps I will add that tradtition to the one I am sharing currently on my blog of a Christmas scripture, story and song. Thanks for visiting me. And thanks for the great new idea. :)

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