Don't Forget What We're Celebrating

Tonight I will be reading Luke chapter 2 in the New Testament with the other missionaries I serve with.  I've this account from Mary's perspective many times this month, and many times in years before and love it.  I know that as we read it, our thoughts will be drawn to Jesus Christ and we will feel the Spirit.  Will you gather a group around and read it tonight as well?

Christmas Before Christmas

As Christmas approaches, I began to ponder and compare this short time before Christmas, to the thousands of years before the first and true Christmas nativity.  Since Christmas being such an important time of year in most of our lives, I wondered how the spirit of Christmas might have been experienced before the actual advent.

From the scriptures, like the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, I was able to gather some of details Before Christ's birth in early April at the turn of the era, at least some of God's righteous children, had access to many of the details of the events of the nativity that we share with our families now.

This coloring page, which I did color myself, shows a sight seen by prophets long before it took place.
As you read these verses, which were each originally written almost 600 years or more before Christ's birth, compare what you know about Christ's birth, to these details here.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word. 3 Nephi 1:21

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. 1 Nephi 11:20.

And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth, and also of his death and resurrection... 2 Nephi 26:3