December Sharing Time: Our Many Blessings

This month's sharing time activity will help Primary children understand that we receive many blessings from Heavenly Father.

Preparation:
Cut nine medium-sized stars and one large star from yellow or gold paper. Write “Jesus Christ” on the large star. Write the following blessings on the remaining stars: Family, Food, Church, Prophet, Scriptures, World, Friends, Temples, Body. Punch a hole in the top of each star and tie an 8 to 16-inch piece of string or yarn through each hole. Attach the top of each string to the board at the front of the room. Keep the words facing the wall.

Gather the following pictures: Family (Gospel Art Kit 616), Blessing on the Food (picture 1-15 Primary 1 manual), Church (GAK 607), Joseph Smith (GAK 400), Scriptures (GAK 617), World (GAK 600), Friends (picture 1-38 Primary 1 manual), Temple (GAK 502), Body (picture 1-50 Primary 1 manual).

If you choose, have a small star sticker for each child.

Presentation:
Ask the children to close their eyes and imagine being outside when it is dark and the stars are out. Have them remember how beautiful the sky is when all the stars are shining.

Ask the children how many stars there are in the sky. (Lots.) Tell them that they receive many blessings from Heavenly Father, too. Explain that today you are going to talk about just a few of them. Point out the stars hanging in the front of the room. Explain that each star represents a blessing. Ask one class to choose one of the small stars (save the large star for last). Tell them the clue for the star and have them guess what the blessing is. When they guess correctly, turn the star over to reveal the word. Post a picture of that blessing under the star. Continue with another class and star until all the blessings have been revealed. Occasionally, have them sing a song to reinforce the concept of that blessing.

Clues and songs:

1. Family: The people that you live with. They love you. “Families Can Be Together Forever,” (Children’s Songbook, p. 188)
2. Food: The thing that keeps your body strong and healthy. It tastes yummy.
3. Church: Where you come on Sunday to learn more about Jesus Christ. “The Church of Jesus Christ,” (CS, p. 77)
4. Prophet (Joseph Smith): The person that restored the church. He translated the Book of Mormon.
5. Body: The blessing that lets you run, jump, breathe, see, and hear.
6. Scriptures: Where you can read Heavenly Father’s plan for you. “Book of Mormon Stories,” (CS, p. 118)
7. World: The place Heavenly Father created. It contains beautiful plants, water, mountains, deserts, animals, and sky.
8. Friends: The people you like to play with.
9. Temples: Where you can be married for eternity. “I Love to See the Temple,” (CS, p. 95)

Point to the large star. Tell the children that everyone can guess on this one, but they need to quietly raise their hand when they know what the blessing is. Clues: A new star appeared when this blessing was born. Because of this blessing, we can all return and live with Heavenly Father.

Call on a child to guess what this blessing is. Reveal the words “Jesus Christ” on the star. Testify that through Christ we receive our greatest blessing, eternal life. Sing “Away in a Manger,” (CS, p. 42).

Go around the room and give each child a chance to tell one blessing that they are grateful for. As they name a blessing, place a small star sticker on the back of their hand. Tell them that the stars will help them remember the many blessings that Heavenly Father gives to us.