Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus being visited by shepherds
Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. An angel announced the Savior’s birth to shepherds near Bethlehem (see Luke 2:9–12), “and suddenly there was … a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13–14). This lesson is intended to help you review the events of the Savior’s birth and introduce you to the doctrine taught in the doctrinal mastery passage Luke 2:10–12. You will study Jesus Christ’s role as your Savior and learn what He saves you from so that you, like the angels, might also glorify and praise God for the gift of His Son.
Teaching doctrinal mastery. Two lessons are associated with each doctrinal mastery passage: a core content lesson that introduces the passage in context of the scripture block, and a lesson that encourages students to explain the doctrine, memorize the key scripture phrase and reference, and practice using the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge. This is a core content lesson.
Student preparation: If possible, invite students to watch “Why We Need a Savior—A Christmas Message about Our Savior Jesus Christ” (2:15), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Invite them to think about why they need a Savior as they watch.
Possible Learning Activities
The Nativity
Bring a small Nativity set, or show a picture of the Nativity.
What are some of your favorite details about the Nativity?
Why are these details significant to you?
Students may read the following verses individually, in pairs, or in small groups, or they could follow along as a single narrator reads.
Read Luke 2:1–14, looking for those details that are important to you or new details that you may not have noticed before in the Nativity story.
What details in the Nativity story did you notice that were significant to you?
If students observed a Nativity display or picture, it may be helpful to invite them to point out what is present in the display that is not a part of the account in Luke 2:1–14 In particular, it might be helpful to point out that neither the star nor the Wise Men are included in Luke’s account of the Nativity because these events happened a few years after the Savior’s birth (see Matthew 2:1–12).
Read Luke 2:10–12 again, looking for how the angel announced Jesus’s birth.
Luke 2:10–12 This lesson will help students study the doctrinal mastery passage in context. The next lesson will give students the opportunity to explain the doctrine taught in this passage, memorize the key scripture phrase and reference, and practice using the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge.
What was the first title the angel used for Jesus Christ when he announced Jesus’s birth to the shepherds?
Why is it significant that of all the titles Jesus Christ has, this is the one the angel used to announce His birth?
It may be helpful to know that in the original Greek translation of the Bible, the word used for Savior also means deliverer or preserver.
One of the truths that this passage teaches is that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
We need a Savior
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following experience:
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson
A while ago, a person who has been a member of the Church for many years asked me, “Why do I need Jesus Christ? I keep the commandments; I’m a good person. Why do I need a Savior?” I must say that this member’s failure to understand this most fundamental part of our doctrine, this foundational element of the plan of salvation, took my breath away.
Take a moment to consider how you would respond, based on your own thoughts and feelings, if you were in Elder Christofferson’s place.
We can learn about our need for a Savior by studying the scriptures and the words of the prophets (see Jacob 7:11).
Helping students learn how to cross-reference can help them deepen their study, identify doctrinal connections from different passages, and increase their scriptural literacy. Consider asking students how they have used cross-references in their study and how using cross-references has helped them.
A scripture study skill that can enhance your understanding of doctrine and principles is to create cross-references in your scriptures. To cross-reference, create a link in the Gospel Library app or connect related scriptures by recording a scripture reference near another passage of scripture.
Study three to four of the following scripture passages to help answer the questions “Why do I need a Savior?” and “What does He save me from?” Consider cross-referencing these passages by linking them to Luke 2:10–12 in the Gospel Library app or by recording the reference Luke 2:10–12 near the verses you study.
Consider writing the questions “Why do I need a Savior?” and “What does He save me from?” on the board. It is not necessary to use or display all of the following scripture references. Depending on student ability, the following scripture search activity may be done by students in pairs or small groups without being given the references.
When students have finished writing their responses, ask a few to share what they wrote, or invite partnerships to share with a neighboring partnership. Be sure that students understand that Jesus Christ saves us from our sins if we repent and from physical death through a universal resurrection. The Savior also can comfort us and support us in the difficulties we face.
What scriptures did you select?
How do these scriptures help you answer the questions “Why do I need a Savior?”and “What does He save me from?”
Depending on available time and if students need more help understanding why we need a Savior, consider showing the following video. Some students may have already watched it if they completed the student preparation. Students could also share ways they have personally been blessed by the Savior.
Watch the video “Why We Need a Savior—A Christmas Message about Our Savior Jesus Christ” (2:15), looking for why we need a Savior. This video is available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Elder Christofferson testified of some of the blessings we receive through Jesus Christ:
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can recover from bad choices. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the impact upon us of others’ sins and mistakes, and every other injustice, is redressed. To be made whole, and to be made holy, we need a Savior.
In Luke 2:10 the angel declared, “I bring you good tidings of great joy.”
How have you found “great joy” in your Savior, Jesus Christ?
What can we do to increase our joy in the Savior?
Invite willing students to testify of the joy of redemption that they feel because of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Consider bearing testimony as well.
Commentary and Background Information
Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem to be taxed?
Caesar Augustus was a capable and energetic Roman ruler whose reign—from 31 B.C. to A.D. 14—was marked by order and lawfulness. The “taxing” mentioned in Luke 2:2 was actually an enrollment [or census] of persons for future taxation purposes, an enrollment that required the taxpayer to personally submit required information. Because both Joseph and Mary were descendants of King David, they were required to make the journey to Bethlehem, which was King David’s hometown. … Ancient prophets had testified that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, in the land of Jerusalem (see Micah 5:2; Alma 7:10).Bethlehem lay approximately 85–90 miles (137–145 kilometers) south of Nazareth, a trek of at least four to five walking days, perhaps longer considering Mary’s condition.
Consider showing the video “A Savior Is Born—Christmas Video” (2:00), located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Invite students to listen for what the Annunciation of the Savior’s birth means for each of our lives, and then invite them to share what they learned and felt.
Finding joy in the Savior
Show the short film The Christ Child: A Nativity Story (17:57), located on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Consider showing the following segments. Allow time after each segment for students to discuss how the individuals demonstrated their joy in the Savior’s birth.
Mary and Joseph: time code 0:00 to 8:56
The shepherds and angels: time code 8:56 to 11:30
The Wise Men: time code 11:30 to 12:42 and 13:44 to 17:15
“Joy to the World”
Consider singing the hymn “Joy to the World” (Hymns, no. 201). Students may also benefit from a discussion of the following principle: Because Jesus Christ is my Savior, I can experience joy. Students could talk about how Jesus Christ is the source of joy and ways they have experienced joy because He is their Savior.
In Luke 2:10 the angel declared, “I bring you good tidings of great joy.” Consider cross-referencing this verse with an angel’s announcement of the Savior to King Benjamin recorded in Mosiah 3:3–5.