Advent Readings

Last year, for every night in December, we celebrated advent every night. We turned off all the upstairs lights (except the Christmas lights), lit a candle, and I read a scripture that talked about the Plan of Salvation and birth of Christ while the children had a small piece of candy. The kids really enjoyed it--the candle and candy part, at least. There is much happiness when it is your turn to blow out the candle.

This year, ever since we got out the Christmas decorations, the children have been begging me to do "the candle time". Yesterday, they finally got their wish!

I love Christmastime, and I love having a quiet (ish) minute with my family at the end of the day to talk about Christ.

____________________________
Advent Day 1: We are children of God. Proclamation on the Family, "All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny."

Advent Day 2: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ created the world. 3 Nephi 9:15: Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name." Moses 2:1: And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I reveal unto you concerning this heaven, and this earth; write the words which I speak. I am the Beginning and the End, the Almighty God; by mine Only Begotten I created these things; yea, in the beginning I created the heaven, and the earth upon which thou standest."

Advent Day 3: Adam and Eve were the first man and woman, and they lived in the Garden of Eden. Moses 1:34 "And the first man of all men have I called Adam, which is many." Moses 4:26 "And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living; for thus have I, the Lord God, called the first of all women, which are many."

Advent Day 4: Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This was against God's command. They became mortal, and had to leave the Garden of Eden. 2 Nephi 2:19, 22-26 "And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth.
22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given."

Advent Day 5: Because we are mortal like Adam and Eve, we can't live with Heavenly Father again without help. 2 Nephi 9:7-8, 10 "Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.
8 O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.
10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit."
Alma 34:9 "For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

Advent Day 6: Jesus Christ offered to help us return to live with Heavenly Father again. Abraham 3:24-27 And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell;

25 And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;

26 And they who keep their firstestate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.

27 And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me.

Advent Day 7: Jesus Christ loved us so much that He promised to come to earth and die for us. This is called the Atonement. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Heleman 5:9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.

Advent Day 8: For thousands of years before Jesus was born, everyone watched and waited for Him. They were excited for Him to be born. Number 24:17 "...there shall come a Star out of Jacob..." Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Advent Day 9: Many prophets talked about Jesus's birth. Alma 7:10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem...she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall...bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God. Mosiah 13:33 For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people?

Advent Day 10: Mary was a young woman living in Israel. An angel came to her and told her she was going to be the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:26-32 "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David."

Advent Day 11: Mary was supposed to marry Joseph, but after he found out she was having a baby, he wasn't sure they should get married. But an angel came to Joseph and told him that he should marry Mary, and that the baby was going to be the Son of God. Matthew 1:18-21 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Advent Day 12: Right before Baby Jesus was born, the emperor of all the land wanted to know how many people lived in Israel. So he made everyone go back to the land where their family was from. Luke 2: 1, 3 "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 all went to be taxed, every one into his own city."

Advent Day 13: Joseph and Mary had to go down to Bethlehem. Luke 2:4-5 " 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:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

Advent Day 14: When Mary and Joseph finally got to Bethlehem, it was so crowded that there was no place for them to stay. All the inns were full. So they had to sleep in a stable, where animals live. Luke 2:7 "...there was no room for them in the inn."

Advent Day 15: There in that stable, Baby Jesus was born. His mother Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes, which were to keep the baby warm and cozy. Luke 2:6-7 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 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.

Advent Day 16: An angel appeared to shepherds, who were taking care of their sheep in the fields near Bethlehem. Luke 2:8-9 "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 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."

Advent Day 17: The angel of the Lord told the shepherds not to be afraid, because something wonderful just happened. The Savior of all the world had been born! They could find him in a stable in Bethlehem. Luke 2:10-12 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Advent Day 18: After the angel told the shepherds where to find the baby Jesus, suddenly in the sky there were many angels, all of them singing and thanking Heavenly Father for sending Jesus down to save us. Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Advent Day 19: Wise men from the east saw the star and knew that Jesus was born. They traveled to Jerusalem and asked King Herod where they might find the baby Jesus. Matthew 2: 1-2 "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

Advent Day 20: When the wise men found the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, they knelt and worshipped him. They gave him wonderful gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

Advent Day 21: On the American continents, clear around the other side of the world, the Lamanites and Nephites were preparing for Christ's birth, too. A mighty Lamanite prophet named Samuel came to the Nephites to tell them to repent. The wicked Nephites didn't want to listen, so Samuel had to stand on a wall to tell them that in five years, there would be a night without darkness. This was the sign that would tell them that the baby Jesus was born on the other side of the world. Helaman 14: 2-4 " 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 be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born."

Advent Day 22: Many wicked Nephites decided that after five years, they would put the believers to death if the sign did not appear. This made the people who believed and followed God's commandments very sad and scared. 3 Nephi 1:9-10 "Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.

10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful."

Advent Day 23: The prophet Nephi prayed that the Lord would keep the righteous safe. The Lord tells him that tomorrow would be the day that baby Jesus would be born. 3 Nephi 1:12-13 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

Advent Day 24: That very night the sun went down, but there was no darkness! All the people in the Americas knew that Jesus was born. 3 Nephi 1:15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.

Advent Day 25: Jesus Christ is our Savior. Through His Atonement we are redeemed from the Fall. He lives, and love us. From the Living Christ: Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.