I was going through this month’s Friend and happened upon “Have a Song-A-Day Christmas!” activity. I thought it would make for a FABULOUS singing time activity!! I always love incorporating ideas from the Friend!
You can find it in the Friend HERE.
I thought it might be fun to associate each of the songs with Nativity images. Since the kids RARELY see the beautiful illustrations in the Children’s Songbook, I thought why not utilize those images found there.
To use in primary, simply show the picture, read the quote and sing the song. Simple! To get through all 12 songs, it might take 2 weeks or simply sing the first verse of each song, moving along quickly between songs.
I also suggest passing out a Hymnbook to the primary (at least to those who can read) and let them sing from it.
1st Song of Christmas:
“This is the season beloved of the year”
Song: The Nativity Song p. 52
2nd Song of Christmas:
“The blessed angels sing”
Song: It Came upon the Midnight Clear Hymn 207
3rd Song of Christmas:
“His praises we sing”
Song: The Shepherd’s Carol p. 40
I have a bell chart for this song (details HERE) so we’ll be playing on the bells with this song.
4th Song of Christmas:
“To the earth it gave great light”
Song: The First Noel Hymn 213
5th Song of Christmas:
“He was meek and mild”
Song: When Joseph Went to Bethlehem p. 38
For this song, I’ll be using my scarves along with the actions (find more details HERE).
6th Song of Christmas:
“Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n”
Song: Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful Hymn 202
7th Song of Christmas:
“Jesus is born in Bethlehem”
Song: Christmas Bells p. 54
Again, I’ll be using the bells and my handbell chart for this song (find more details HERE).
8th Song of Christmas:
“Oh, let us gladly sing”
Song: Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus p. 36
I also have a handbell chart on the chorus for this song (find more details HERE).
9th Song of Christmas:
“Proclaim the holy birth”
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem Hymn 208
10th Song of Christmas:
“The child is the Son of God”
Song: Who Is the Child? p. 46
11th Song of Christmas:
“Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth”
Song: Silent Night Hymn 204
12th Song of Christmas:
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring”
Song: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks Hymn 211
You can download and print my document or simply find pictures of the nativity/Savior either from the Gospel Art Book or other church sources, or omit pictures altogether.
Make sure to post the words as necessary like I do HERE to encourage singing.
Variations:
- Use the Sing-along-app in LDS.org. I haven’t used this and don’t know much about it but I’ve heard that lots of the primary songs (not sure about the Hymns, however) are in sing-along-form that the children can watch the videos and sing along.
- Bring out a piece of the nativity as each song is presented.
- Come up with actions as you sing each song. Have the children help you improvise!
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Category Title > Christmas > 12 Songs of Christmas.
