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Last Updated December 1, 2007
Story: Service like the Little Drummer Boy
The following story was shared by Christine Fewkes Layton in the LDSHFPE group on Yahoo and gave her permission to share this story:
Last year I was the RS President in a ward in the Midwest. I had only been in for two months and then everything went crazy - funerals, missionary dinners, Christmas giving tree, and lots of other stuff that are out of the norm. Through out all of this two of my dear friends kept my children while I served. Individually they said to me, "I can't do much - we are students and we don't have any money to help fix meals or anything but I can watch your children while you serve." I relied heavily on them during that month. I had been feeling badly that I could not alleviate more of the stress of our members and "do more" for those in need.
While I was driving to drop my kids off at one of their homes so I could help with a funeral, the song "A Little Drummer Boy" came on the radio. I had heard this song a
million times - I had even sung this song myself but this time it really hit me. This little boy wanted to give a gift to his Savior but he didn't have any money. Instead he decided to play a song for him on his drum. As a mom, a drum is not a musical instrument that you usually want around your newborn, but this little drummer boy played his song as best he could for his Savior. It really hit me then that that is all that our Savior asks of us - to use our talents, however coarse they may be, to help others and for His ultimate glory. What a lesson for me. Those sweet sisters who watched my kids did that for me so that I could do what little I could for others.
Have each guest bring a wrapped gift for the gift exchange.
Everyone sits in a circle while a narrator reads the following story.
Each time the words LEFT, RIGHT, or WRIGHT are mentioned, the gifts are passed in that direction.
Each person will keep the gift they are holding at the end of the story.
It was a beautiful Christmas Eve. The snow was falling. Everything seemed perfectly RIGHT for the evening. There was enough hot chocolate LEFT to share with Santa, RIGHT along with the plate of cookies LEFT for him by the fireplace.
Ed and Myrna WRIGHT thought it would be a great time to drive across town and deliver Grandmother WRIGHT'S Christmas gift. Grandmother WRIGHT had not LEFT her home for a week. She was RIGHT down in bed, as the flu had LEFT her feeling weak.
Mr. WRIGHT and Mrs. WRIGHT LEFT in their bright red car. They had just turned LEFT out of the driveway when Mrs. WRIGHT said to Mr. WRIGHT, "I LEFT Grandmother's present RIGHT there on the kitchen counter." Mr. WRIGHT quickly turned RIGHT back into the driveway and Mrs. WRIGHT leaned LEFT as he did so. She hopped RIGHT out of the car and LEFT her door open. Mrs. WRIGHT said, "I will be RIGHT back." Snowball, their dog, saw the door open and jumped RIGHT into the car, RIGHT over the front seat and RIGHT into the back seat. About this time, Mrs. WRIGHT showed up with Grandmother's present and said to Mr. WRIGHT, "It was RIGHT where I LEFT it, in the kitchen."
Mrs. WRIGHT was surprised to see Snowball in the car. Mrs. WRIGHT thought they had LEFT him in the back yard. However, Mr. WRIGHT had forgotten and LEFT the gate unlocked. Mr. and Mrs. WRIGHT LEFT Snowball in the back seat of the car as they once again LEFT their driveway for Grandmother WRIGHT'S home. As Mr. and Mrs. WRIGHT drove along enjoying the beautiful scenery they felt as if they had LEFT all their worries somewhere else. It was Christmas Eve and they were surrounded, both on the RIGHT and on the LEFT with new falling snow. They were getting that wonderful feeling that often comes at Christmas time.
Mr. WRIGHT'S car turned RIGHT onto Holly Street where Grandmother WRIGHT lived. As they approached Grandmother WRIGHT'S they could see she had LEFT her porch light on. It felt RIGHT chilly when they stepped out of the car. However, they LEFT their jackets in the car. Mr. WRIGHT and Mrs.WRIGHT were glad they had not LEFT Grandmother WRIGHT'S gift home.
They could see Grandmother WRIGHT peeking through the curtains as they walked up her steps. Snowball began to bark as he did not want to be LEFT out. What a nice surprise for Grandmother WRIGHT, she had not been LEFT alone on Christmas Eve. Mr. WRIGHT and Mrs. WRIGHT walked RIGHT up to the door and knocked. Grandmother WRIGHT, stood RIGHT by the door and opened it RIGHT as soon as they knocked. It almost LEFT them speechless to see Grandmother WRIGHT up and about. Grandmother WRIGHT said, "What a wonderful surprise." Mr. WRIGHT and Mrs. WRIGHT were also surprised to see that Grandmother WRIGHT had LEFT her bed. She was RIGHT spry and it was easy to see that her illness had not LEFT her weak.
Grandmother WRIGHT wanted to celebrate what was LEFT of Christmas Eve. So Grandmother WRIGHT LEFT Mr. WRIGHT and Mrs. WRIGHT and went RIGHT into the kitchen to stir up a pot of hot wassail. She said, "I need my glasses to see this festive recipe, and they are not RIGHT here where I LEFT them." The three of them LEFT the kitchen and looked in other rooms to see where she had LEFT them. Grandmother WRIGHT yelled out, "Well here they are, RIGHT here where I LEFT them." Sure enough they were RIGHT there on her night stand where she had LEFT them.
Grandmother WRIGHT made sure she had all the RIGHT ingredients in the hot wassail. Mr. WRIGHT built a fire in the fireplace and it LEFT a warm festive feeling as they sat on the cozy stuffed sofa, listening to soft Christmas music and sipping their wassail, which was just the RIGHT temperature. Mr. WRIGHT opened the door to check on Snowball and he was fast asleep, RIGHT there on the doorstep where they had LEFT him. Mr. WRIGHT and Mrs. WRIGHT will never forget this special evening as they were LEFT with the true spirit of Christmas in their hearts, and they knew they had done the RIGHT thing by sharing their Christmas Eve with Grandmother WRIGHT.
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:
It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.
Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel (cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia ), were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.
The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6-years-old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.
Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately -- until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib.
He made up his own ending to the story as he said,
"And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give Him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift." So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep You warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep Me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave Me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and He told me I could stay with Him -- for always."
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him -- for always.
And the Americans? They had learned the lesson they had come there to teach -- that it is not what you have in your life, but Who you have in your life that really counts. We all should give thanks for the people that "keep us"- in life - and for all of God's many blessings to us: freedom from want, life, love, togetherness, and for the enduring love of Jesus Christ, the one person who keeps us warm and safe for always.
The following poem titled "The Christmas Nail" could be incorporated into your Family Home Evening, YW/YM or seminary, or Relief Society lessons.
The website Gem's Cottage also has an associated craft activity you can make a nice visual for this.
The poem:
It's Christmas time at our house
and we're putting up the tree.
I wish I could find some simple way
to remember Christ's gift to me.
Some little sign or symbol
to show friends stopping by,
The little babe was born one day
but He really came to die.
Some symbol of His nail-pierced hands,
the blood He shed for you and me.
What if I hung a simple nail
on my shining Christmas tree?
A crimson bow tied round the nail
as His blood flowed down so free,
To save each person from their sin
and redeem us for eternity.
I know it was His love for us
that held Him to the tree,
But when I see this simple nail
I know He died for me.
A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and firmness of the promises of God.
The candy maker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It also represents the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.
Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candy maker stained it with red stripes. He used the tree small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Jesus on the Cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life, if only we put our faith and trust in Him.
Unfortunately, the candy became known as a Candy Cane - a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear".
Just last Monday night I had a strange visitor. This is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepping out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed his fingers over his lips so I wouldn't cry out.
"What are you doing here..." I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw that he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner is gone ~ gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. As I stood there in my night shirt bewildered, Santa said, "Teach The Children." My perplexed expression still showed in the near darkness.
"Teach them the old meaning of Christmas ~ the meanings that Christmas nowadays has forgotten." "Teach the Children, the star was a heavenly sign of promise long ages ago. God promised a Savior for the world and a sign of the fulfillment of that promise was the great star of the East. The star now reminds us of God's love for mankind and of God fulfilling His promise. The countless shining stars at night ~ one for each man ~ now show the burning hope of all mankind." Santa gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas ornament.
"Teach the Children, red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all people by the Savior. Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God's gift to all, eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid. It is the greatest color of all. It is the symbol of the gift of God." As Santa was twisting and pulling another object out of his bag, I heard the kitchen clock begin to strike twelve. I wanted to say something, but he went right on.
"Teach the Children", he said as the twisting and pulling suddenly dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on the big Christmas tree. The deep green of the fir tree was perfect background for the ornament. Here was the second color of Christmas.
"The pure color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round," he said. "This depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward ~ symbolic of man's returning thoughts toward heaven. The great, green tree has been man's best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him, formed his furniture." Santa's eyes were beginning to twinkle now as he stood there. Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound. As it grew louder, it seemed like the sound of long ago.
"Teach the Children, that as the lost sheep are found by sounds of the bell, so should it ring for men to return to the fold; it means guidance and return; it further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord." As the soft sound of the bell faced into the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow from its tiny flame cast an eerie glow about the darkened room. Odd shapes in the shadow slowly danced and weaved upon the walls.
"Teach the Children," whispered Santa, "that the candle shows man's thanks for the star of long ago. It's small light is the mirror of starlight. At first candles were placed on the Christmas Tree ~ they were like many glowing stars shining against the dark green. Safety now has removed the candles from the tree and the colored lights have taken over in the remembrance."
Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow ribbon and said, "A bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied ~ all of us together, with the bonds of good will toward each other. Goodwill forever is the message of the bow."
Now I wondered what else Santa had in his bag. Instead of reaching in his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and began to reach up on the Christmas tree. I thought he was hungry as he reached for a candy cane, purposely placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.
"Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherds crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the fold. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."
Santa then paused. He seemed to realize he should be on his way. Later would be his big day. As he looked about the room, a feeling of satisfaction showed in his face. He read wonderment in his eyes and I am sure he sensed my admiration on this night. He was his old self as he approached the front door. The twinkle in his eye gave Santa away; I knew he wasn't through yet. He reached into his bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the fireplace and said,
"Please Teach the Children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops or ends. It is one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty. It is made of many things and in many colors. It reminds us all of the things of Christmas. Please Teach the Children."
I pondered and wondered and thrilled with delight,
As I saw and viewed all those symbols that night.
I dozed as I sat in the soft candle light,
And my thoughts were of Santa and all he made right.
To give and to help, to love and to serve,
Are the best things of life, all men can deserve.
Old Santa Claus that jolly fat little elf,
Is the very best symbol of Christmas itself.
He's the sign of the gift of love and of life,
The ending of evil, the ceasing of strife.
His message to me on the pre-Christmas night,
Has opened a treasure of deepest insight.
The one thing on earth we all ought to do,
Is the teaching of children the right and the true.
May the joy and magic
of Christmas be felt within
your heart and home ..
now, and throughout
this New Year!
Sometimes it is easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. The busy traditions of the season and the appealing advertisements for material goods can leave the pure and simple truths far, far behind.
Jake was nine years old with tousled brown hair with blue eyes as bright as a heavenly angel. For as long as Jake could remember he had lived within the walls of a poor orphanage. He was just one of ten children supported by what meager contributions the orphan home could obtain in a continuous struggle seeking donations from townsfolk.
There was very little to eat, but at Christmas time there always seemed to be a little more than usual to eat, the orphanage seemed a little warmer, and it was time for a little holiday enjoyment. But more than this, there was the Christmas orange!
Christmas was the only time of year that such a rare treat was provided and it was treasured by each child like no other food admiring it, feeling it, prizing it and slowly enjoying each juicy section. Truly, it was the light of each orphan's Christmas and their best gift of the season. How joyful would be the moment when Jake received his orange!
Unknown to him, Jake had somehow managed to track a small amount of mud on his shoes through the front door of the orphanage, muddying the new carpet. He hadn't even noticed. Now it was too late and there was nothing he could do to avoid punishment. The punishment was swift and unrelenting. Jake would not be allowed his Christmas orange! It was the only gift he would receive from the harsh world he lived in, yet after a year of waiting for his Christmas orange, is was to be denied him.
Tearfully, Jake pleaded that he be forgiven and promised never to track mud into the orphanage again, but to no avail. He felt hopeless and totally rejected. Jake cried into his pillow all that night and spent Christmas Day feeling empty and alone. He felt that the other children didn't want to be with a boy who had been punished with such a cruel punishment. Perhaps they feared he would ruin their only day of happiness. Maybe, he reasoned, the gulf between him and his friends existed because they feared he would ask for a little of their oranges. Jake spent the day upstairs, alone, in the unheated dormitory. Huddled under his only blanket, he read about a family marooned on an island. Jake wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life on an isolated island, if he could only have a real family that cared about him.
Bedtime came, and worst of all, Jake couldn't sleep. How could he say his prayers? How could there be a God in Heaven that would allow a little soul such as his, to suffer so much all by himself? Silently, he sobbed for the future of mankind that God might end the suffering in the world, both for himself and all others like him.
As he climbed back into bed from the cold, hard floor, a soft hand touched Jake's shoulder, startling him momentarily and an object was silently placed in his hands. The giver disappeared into the darkness, leaving Jake with what, he did not immediately know!
Looking closely at it in the dim light, he saw that it looked like an orange! Not a regular orange, smooth and shiny, but a special orange, very special. Inside a patched together peal were the segments of nine other oranges, making one whole orange for Jake! The nine other children in the orphanage had each donated one segment of their own precious oranges to make a whole orange as a gift for Jake.
Sharing what we truly value is the true spirit of Christmas. Our Heavenly Father gave us His beloved Son. May we, like the children in the orphanage, find ways to share His love with others less blessed.
Found this great site full of Christmas coloring pages, perfect for keeping the kids occupied and get them in the spirit of the season at the same time.
Fun idea for teaching the song "Christmas Bells" for Primary or Nursery kids. Could also be a fun Family Home Evening idea.
You'll like it - check it out!
The following story was shared by Christine Fewkes Layton in the LDSHFPE group on Yahoo and gave her permission to share this story:
Fun gift exchange idea for Christmas.
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:
The following poem titled "The Christmas Nail" could be incorporated into your Family Home Evening, YW/YM or seminary, or Relief Society lessons.
A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. 
Just last Monday night I had a strange visitor. This is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepping out from behind the Christmas Tree. He placed his fingers over his lips so I wouldn't cry out. 
Sometimes it is easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. The busy traditions of the season and the appealing advertisements for material goods can leave the pure and simple truths far, far behind. 
Found this great site full of Christmas coloring pages, perfect for keeping the kids occupied and get them in the spirit of the season at the same time.
A spiritual version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Nice idea for those that are putting together a Christmas program for the ward.
Involving your bishopric is simple when you use this idea for a ward Christmas program!
Fun idea for teaching the song "Christmas Bells" for Primary or Nursery kids. Could also be a fun Family Home Evening idea.
You'll like it - check it out!
