We had the wonderful opportunity to have a Monday night Family Home Evening with an entire baranguy (neighborhood). It was the children from many families- members and not- that we had met before that wanted us badly to come back.
When thought because Christmas is soon, we would dress up the children in Nativity clothing. We thought there would be many children and people there, so Sister Roberts made tin-can telephones for a gathering activity.
We arrived, and were escorted by about 20 children and parents to a grassy field in-between homes. We told everyone to get chairs and sit in a circle, but no one understood our English, I guess, or it was too noisy to hear.
As we started, the crowd grew and grew. Sister Roberts also had collected small plastic cups from the hamburger places, put dish soap in and passed them out with straws to make bubbles. There were not enough, but they shared.
This pic is from the web.
We passed out drinking glasses and table knives to use as bells. We sang from the LDS Children's Songbook,, Christmas Bells are ringing. Here is the link..
https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/christmas-bells?lang=eng.
We dressed the children in clothes to act out the Nativity. Elder Roberts read from the Bible the wonderful account of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
The sweet girl who played Mary was grateful to do so, and did a great job.
Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
We also gave the account from the Book of Mormon, that the Lamanite Prophet Samuel predicted when the Christ child would be born, the people of the American continent would have a day, a night, and a day as 3 days. The sun would not go down at night.
Helaman 40: 2 And behold, he said unto them:
Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then
cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
3 And
behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for
behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night
before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto
man as if it was day.
4 Therefore,
there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there
were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the
rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a
surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall
not bedarkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
5 And
behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and
this also shall be a sign unto you.
We sang Angels We Have Heard on High, and Silent Night from the LDS Hymnbook. Although the crowd was quite overwhelming, we did our best to teach and sing. Mothers assisted us. And as done in the Philippines, we HAD to sing All the verses !
The children were excellent in mimicking Sister Roberts singing and they happily sang along - 5 seconds later...
We were all very happy with the results. Notice that even the boys were happy to be men-angels. We had before told them the story of the Angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she would be the Mother of Jesus Christ.
We passed out cookies, which were gone in an instant. The Missionary Elders came by and
Elder Arrington told a story to the children.
We spoke with several parents, and gave out pass-along cards. We were helped to gather our things and escorted back to our car. Two Mothers are members in this group. Their 8 and 9 yr old boys were baptized this week.
A week later, we heard the Church has produced a wonderful video, that of all the gifts you may receive for Christmas --- remember that the most important gift to remember is that ..
CHRIST IS THE GIFT
from our Heavenly Father
Click on the following large letter words to view the video (Do Not click on the picture arrow, it won't work). He is the Gift )
May you have the true Spirit of Christmas in your homes. As you listen to the Spirit of the Lord, decide on the most peaceful, loving and Christ-like Christmas celebration with your families.
With Love and Merry Christmas!
(or Maligayong Pasko -as they say it in Tagalog)
Elder and Sister Roberts
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