When you think of a classic Primary Christmas song, 9 times out of 10 it’s going to be Picture a Christmas! Teach this beloved Christmas song in singing time using these favorite Picture a Christmas Primary singing time ideas.
Pat Graham, the author of Picture a Christmas, is a dear friend. And she approves all of these singing time ideas for teaching Picture a Christmas! Phew!
The idea listed below I’ve taught most often (because it’s my favorite!) is to simply draw a nativity on the board. It’s my favorite because it’s so simple, just like the characteristics of this Primary song!
But also make sure to check out these other Christmas Bells singing time ideas as well:
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham.
In 1977…[Sister Graham, the author, wrote a ward Christmas program and song.] The original words were:
Picture a Christmas without children, Picture a snowstorm without snow. And could you see a Christmas tree with not one gift below? There is no Christmas without children, It’s a child’s birth we celebrate. Sing praise to Him; remember Him, As you picture Christmas this year.
When Sister Graham was [later] called to serve on the Primary general board, she was asked to create the Sharing Time page for the Friend. “Picture a Christmas” was used for one of the December pages.
For the Sharing Time page (Friend, Dec. 1983, 28, 33-34), the words were revised to focus on the Savior’s birth. The accompanying activity was a picture frame with cutouts of the stable, star, angel, and the baby Jesus to be added to the frame as the song was sung.
Find the sheet music to Picture a Christmas on the Church’s website. I love its depiction of children’s earnest desire to share the gospel:
Picture a stable in Judea. Picture a sacred, silent night. And can you hear The angels near And see the star so bright?
[CHORUS] Picture the little baby Jesus. Think of his life and words so dear. Sing praise to him; Remember him, As you picture Christmas this year.
Picture the kind and gentle Joseph. Picture the mother, Mary, fair. And can you see So rev’rently The shepherds kneeling there?
[CHORUS]
You may also want to check out the sing along video for Picture a Christmas. It’s a great way for you to easily become more familiar with it or to show to your Primary during singing time.
Find Picture a Christmas lyrics in a printable flip chart format so you can easily post the words in your Primary!
Or this Picture a Christmas flip chart with pictures is also available to download:
These printables are also filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Picture a Christmas.
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You can’t beat the simplicity of using the chalkboard, chalk and an eraser! Play a form of pictionary to teach Picture a Christmas with this Primary singing time idea!
Create an actual nativity to teach Picture a Christmas! Whether it be a live nativity using the Primary children, a Christmas nativity set, or digital nativity images!
This handbell chart utilizes simple chording. Make sure to check out more details for using handbells in singing time.
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Picture a Christmas.
Subscribe to my free newsletter and get instant access to my Resource Library, which includes this file and all of my other free singing time printables!
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A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook including Picture a Christmas.
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Picture a Christmas.
Subscribe to my free newsletter and get instant access to my Resource Library, which includes this file and all of my other free singing time printables!
Click the button below and enter your information to gain access to the Resource Library!
Sharla Dance has several singing time ideas for teaching Picture a Christmas:
Or try using finger lights to teach Picture a Christmas. In the comments is a video of the actions. Give each child 2 finger lights, one for each hand then do the actions with the lights off!
Find more details for using finger lights in singing time.
Use finger lights to teach Picture a Christmas (in the comments is a video of the actions). Give each child 2 finger lights, one for each hand. Once the actions are learned, do the actions with the lights off!
Find more details for using finger lights in singing time.
Aurey shared her popsicle stick actions on the PML FB group. View her video here:
She said:
I made actions for “Picture a Christmas” using 4 Popsicle sticks (glued together in pairs at right angles to make two halves of a picture frame).
- Picture a stable . . .” make a stable
- . . . silent night . . .” hold one stick to your lips and put other one in the sky for a crescent moon
- ” . . . can you hear . . .” hold one pair to your ear like an ear trumpet
- ” . . . the angels . . .” wave sticks like wings
- ” . . . see the star . . .” create a diamond in the sky
- ” . . . little baby Jesus . . .” hold sticks to make a manger
- ” . . . life and works . . .” use one to make an L, then both to make W
- ” . . . sign praise . . .” hit the sticks together to make a sound
- ” . . . remember . . .” tap one to your forehead, lowercase r
- ” . . . picture Christmas . . . “ make picture frame or Christmas tree
- ” . . . kind and gentle . . .” make letter K, or rub stick gently
- ” . . . Mother Mary . . .” letter M
- ” . . . can you see . . .” hold sticks to eyes, like your vision outward
- ” . . . shepherds kneeling” move sticks forward like shepherds with bended knees
Go all out and create a light box to teach Picture a Christmas with the various nativity components like BeibiDiaz shared on the PML FB group. Way cool!
Holly from Primary Choristers has demonstration videos for teaching Picture a Christmas using simplified signs! Perfect for little (or big!) hands! Check out her explanation video here:
Then sing along with her here for practice before teaching:
Then make sure to check out more helpful tips for teaching sign language in singing time!
How are you teaching Picture a Christmas in singing time? Leave a comment with your suggestions and ideas!
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Picture a Christmas.
Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
Be prepared in singing time for the entire month – every month! And all you have to do is print!
These singing time ideas for teaching the Primary song, Love Is Spoken Here will help your Primary fall in love all over again with this song! My favorite is using a match-up activity that puts the double melody together! But whatever you choose, these Love Is Spoken Here singing time ideas are bound to accommodate your Primary’s learning style and needs!
The 2nd hour of church has significantly changed for Sunday School, Relief Society, Elders Quorum and all youth classes. However, Primary received a minor change that you might not have noticed.
Add an extra touch of fun to your Primary program by passing out invitations. On the big day, pull it all together with a unique 2026 Primary program bulletin created by your Primary children!
Hundreds of printables organized by song title and category that coincide with my singing time lesson plan posts!
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Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
