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FAIR Resources for Come, Follow Me – Restoration Scripture
Week 52: December 22 - 28: "The Matchless Gift of God's Divine Son"

CHRISTMAS

Doctrinal Focus
Historical & Contextual
Apologetic Application
Practical Applications
Ideas for Teaching
Quick Reference

Doctrinal Focus

  • Key doctrines addressed in this week’s reading
  • God’s love was manifest in giving His Son to redeem all humankind. This gift surpasses all others because it provides eternal life and peace through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Christmas is a time to remember that every blessing in our lives stems from this supreme act of divine love. (John 3:16)

Without Christ’s condescension and atonement, humanity would remain subject to death and sin. His life and mission reveal the Father’s plan of happiness and assure us that redemption is possible through Him. (2 Nephi 9:21–23)

The Savior’s power is not distant; it becomes active in our lives as we exercise faith and live in harmony with His teachings. As we seek Him in prayer, scripture study, and covenants, His enabling strength sustains us through trials. (Moroni 7:33)

Christ bore our pains, sins, and sorrows so that we would not have to carry them alone. Repentance is not punishment but a divine process of renewal that allows us to change, heal, and grow stronger in Him. (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–18)

  • Christ’s peace is unlike worldly peace—it steadies the soul amid turmoil. Eternal life is His ultimate promise, given to those who receive His gospel and endure in faith. (John 14:27; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7)

Christ not only taught but lived the way of discipleship, leaving a perfect model to follow. The Holy Ghost, promised by Him, continues to guide, comfort, and teach us so that we may walk in His footsteps with confidence and hope. (2 Nephi 31:9; John 14:26)

Historical & Contextual Insights

  • Insights in this week’s study
  • The scripture block for this week centers on the birth and mission of Jesus Christ, commemorated in the Christmas season. The backdrop is first-century Judea, a land under Roman occupation, where many Jews awaited the promised Messiah who would deliver them.

Christ’s birth fulfilled prophecies made centuries earlier (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2). Angels announced His arrival to humble shepherds, and wise men came seeking Him from afar. His coming was quiet and unheralded by the world’s rulers but marked the beginning of God’s greatest act of love.

  • The humble setting of Christ’s birth demonstrates that God works through means that may seem small to the world but carry eternal significance. It also reveals that His kingdom would not be built on worldly power but on spiritual authority and sacrifice.
  • Remembering the historical reality of Christ’s humble birth helps us see His mission more clearly: He came not to reign politically but to redeem us spiritually. This matters today because it reminds us that God’s power often comes in quiet, simple, and deeply personal ways.
  • In 2000, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued The Living Christ to commemorate the birth of Jesus two millennia earlier. It was not just a statement of faith but a declaration of His divinity and continuing role as Savior.
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  • This context matters because it shows that the apostles of today, like ancient apostles, bear witness of Christ with authority. Their collective testimony links the Restoration to the foundation laid in the New Testament.
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  • For modern disciples, this testimony strengthens confidence that Christ is not only a figure of history but a living, resurrected Lord who continues to guide His Church through living prophets.
  • In President Russell M. Nelson’s message, the four gifts—peace, eternal life, redemption through repentance, and His divine example—help disciples re-center their holiday celebrations on Christ. Instead of commercial or worldly giving, the emphasis becomes receiving and sharing Christ’s eternal gifts.
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  •  This insight is important because it acknowledges that cultural practices (like Christmas gift-giving) can point to deeper spiritual truths when reframed in light of the gospel. It helps us connect familiar traditions with sacred meaning.
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  • For modern disciples, it reframes Christmas discipleship: rather than focusing only on material exchange, we are invited to receive Christ’s spiritual gifts and extend them to others through service, forgiveness, and love.

If you have questions on this week’s reading, please email your questions to us here.

Apologetic Application

  1. Claim: “The story of Christ’s birth and resurrection is not unique, but fabricated from earlier traditions.”
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  3. Response:
  4. Historical Evidence: The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are supported by early non-Christian sources (Tacitus, Josephus, Pliny the Younger) who referenced Him within decades of His life.
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  6. Eyewitness Support: The New Testament was written by contemporaries and eyewitnesses (e.g., John, Peter, Paul), who testified boldly of His resurrection despite persecution and martyrdom.
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  8. Spiritual Confirmation: Millions have received personal witness through the Holy Ghost that Jesus lives, fulfilling Christ’s promise in John 16:13.
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  10. Logical Analysis: Unlike mythical gods, Jesus is rooted in a specific time, place, lineage, and setting that aligns with archaeological and historical evidence of first-century Judea.

  • Claim: “Christ’s divinity is a later invention by His followers.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The earliest Christian writings (Paul’s epistles written within 20 years of Christ’s death) explicitly call Him “the Son of God” and “Lord.”
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  • Eyewitness Support: Apostles bore direct testimony that they saw, touched, and conversed with the resurrected Lord (Luke 24:36–43; 1 John 1:1–3).
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: Modern prophets and apostles, in The Living Christ, continue this unified witness that Jesus is both mortal and divine.
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  • Logical Analysis: If Christ were merely a moral teacher, His claims to divinity (John 8:58; John 10:30) would make Him either deceptive or delusional. The logical conclusion is that He was who He said He was—the Son of God.
  • Claim: “The nativity narratives in Matthew and Luke were invented to make Jesus seem like the Messiah.”
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  • Response:
  • Historical Evidence: The Gospel accounts align with Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2), showing continuity rather than fabrication.
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  • Eyewitness Support: Early Christian communities preserved these traditions within a single generation of Christ’s birth, pointing to real historical memory.
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  • Spiritual Confirmation: The Spirit testifies of Christ’s humble birth and divine mission during sacred moments of worship, especially as celebrated at Christmas.
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  • Logical Analysis: If early Christians had fabricated the story, they would have chosen a royal, powerful setting—not a manger and shepherds—since such a humble context would appear unconvincing to the world.

Practical Applications

Practical solutions for someone in faith crisis:

Action Step: Each day, pause and invite the Savior’s peace through prayer and scripture reflection.

The world often offers distraction or stress, but Christ promises a unique peace (John 14:27). Actively inviting it strengthens spiritual resilience and helps disciples navigate daily trials with calm assurance.

  1. – Begin each morning with a brief prayer asking specifically for Christ’s peace.
  2. – Read a short passage from the Gospels about His life or teachings.
  3. – Pause for quiet reflection, allowing the Spirit to settle your thoughts.
  4. – Record impressions in a journal.

Encouraging Thought:

He offers the gift of peace—not as the world giveth, but the peace that comes from trusting Him.

Action Step: Identify one trial or weakness and consciously apply faith in Christ to it this week.

As we act in faith, Christ’s enabling power strengthens us beyond our natural abilities (Ether 12:27). This principle transforms struggles into opportunities for growth and connection with the Savior.

  1. – Pray to recognize a current trial or weakness.
  2. – Choose one scripture that speaks to overcoming weakness (e.g., Philippians 4:13).
  3. – In moments of difficulty, recall the verse and turn to Christ in prayer.
  4. – Share your experience with a trusted family member or friend for support.

Encouraging Thought:

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours.”

  • Action Step: Instead of focusing only on material gifts, intentionally give one “Christlike gift” this Christmas (e.g., forgiveness, service, encouragement).

This practice turns holiday traditions into spiritual growth experiences. It allows us to mirror the Savior’s giving nature and recognize the true purpose of Christmas.

  1. – Pray to know who in your life most needs a Christlike gift.
  2. – Choose a gift of the Spirit to extend (kind words, time, forgiveness, service).
  3. – Act on the prompting before Christmas ends.
  4. – Reflect on how this act deepened your discipleship.

Encouraging Thought:

  • “When we give Christlike gifts to others, we give back to Him, for ‘inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’” (Matthew 25:40).

Ideas for Teaching

Objective: Help learners recognize and apply the spiritual gifts Christ offers at Christmas.

4 wrapped boxes (or printed cards), slips of paper with each gift written on them (peace, eternal life, repentance, example).

Activity Steps:

  1. Introduction (5 min): Show the wrapped boxes and ask, “What is the greatest gift you’ve ever received?” Then reveal that Christ offers gifts far greater than material ones.
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  3. Scripture Discussion (5 min): Assign learners to open each “gift” and read scriptures (e.g., John 14:27 for peace; D&C 14:7 for eternal life). Discuss briefly.
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  5. Application (5 min): Invite participants to choose one of Christ’s gifts they need most right now and write down how they can better receive it this week.

Follow-Up Question: Which of Christ’s gifts feels most needed in your life right now, and why?

Objective: Teach learners how to intentionally apply Christ’s power to overcome challenges.

Whiteboard/marker (or paper for small groups), scripture references (Moroni 7:33, Ether 12:27, Philippians 4:13).

Activity Steps:

Introduction (5 min): Ask: “What’s something you’ve faced that felt too big to handle?” Let a few share briefly.

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read Moroni 7:33 together. Write on the board: Challenge → Christ’s Power. Brainstorm examples (e.g., “fear → peace,” “weakness → strength”).

Application (5 min): Have learners privately write one challenge and one way they will consciously draw on Christ’s power this week.

Follow-Up Question: What does it look like in daily life to “draw power” from Christ instead of relying only on ourselves?

Objective: Help learners strengthen their testimony by reflecting on apostolic witnesses of Jesus Christ.

Printed excerpts from The Living Christ, sticky notes or index cards, tape, pen/pencils.

Activity Steps: 

Introduction (5 min): Share a short clip or quote from The Living Christ. Ask: “Why does it matter that prophets and apostles bear testimony today?”

Scripture Discussion (5 min): Read one excerpt aloud (e.g., “He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world”). Connect to John 8:12.

Application (5 min): Invite each participant to write their personal testimony of Christ on a sticky note or card and place it on the wall/board. (If at home, tape them on a wall or create a family “testimony poster.”)

Follow-Up Question: How does adding your testimony to the apostles’ strengthen your witness of Christ?

QUICK REFERENCE

  • Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, the matchless gift of the Father.

     

  • The Savior’s atonement and resurrection bring peace, redemption, and eternal life.

     

  • Modern prophets and apostles bear unified testimony of Christ in The Living Christ.

     

  • We can draw Christ’s power into our lives through faith, repentance, and covenant keeping.

     

  • Christmas traditions can be reframed to focus on Christ’s spiritual gifts rather than material giving.
  • Why trust modern prophets?
    • Prophets in every dispensation testify of Christ; modern apostles continue that pattern. Their united witness (The Living Christ) strengthens faith and provides needed clarity.
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    • Why does God allow mistakes?
    • God permits human weakness so His grace can be revealed (Ether 12:27). Mistakes provide opportunities for growth, repentance, and reliance on Christ’s enabling power.
  • John 3:16 – God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.

     

  • 2 Nephi 9:21–23 – Christ suffered for all so that salvation could come through Him.