The Women Who Knew Christ - Relief Society Christmas Evening 2014

This year for our Ladies Relief Society Christmas Social I was lucky to take the lead.

I had come across a lovely Christmas program that is a little different than the normal nativity. 
(I've been informed the link no longer worked - so I've removed it from my post BUT please, email me and I will gladly send you a copy)

I must amend this post as I was informed by a friend that this program was written 40 years ago by a lady named, Judy. I must say how appreciative I am she did. It hasn't only moved me, but many a sister.

*I wanted to update this as I recently received an email about Judy below is the message*

The author of the Women who Knew Jesus is Judy Hamilton, who lives in Mesa, Arizona. She wrote it over 40 years ago in the ’70s (she lived in Chandler at the time--likely the source of confusion). She has never cared about attribution and never sought the spotlight or attention, but she should be recognized for such terrific work.

Although for our program I changed a couple of songs.

Instead of the song Joseph's Lullaby I chose, I was not his father by Micheal Maclean.

Instead of the song The Daughter of God, I chose Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant.

I had asked 6 ladies to dress in the style of the women in Christ's time and decorated each table to represent each of the women who knew  Christ.

Elizabeth, mother of John The Baptist

The Mother of Mary

Mother of Joseph, the carpenter

Mary

Wife of an Innkeeper

Wife of a Shepherd

On each table, I placed an authentic oil lamp

I purchased them HERE

I made some simple chalk art posters and went through all of my boxes to dig out the appropriate items to decorate the hall. Plus my friend helped to make the 3D snowflakes and me to decorate! Thank you, Jessica :) The tree and flat paper snowflakes were left up after the ward's Christmas party a few days before.

Click HERE to see how to make the snowflakes

The food we chose was a light meal consisting of figs, dates, pistachios, roasted almonds, roasted red pepper hummus, a selection of cheese's, dark green salad with fresh pomegranate and olives, grapes, oranges, a platter of veggies, pita bread, flat bread, barley and beef soup and gluten-free wild rice and chicken soup. I had a couple of wonderful ladies who shopped for the food and set it up.

The night went well and not many dry eyes as it was a moving program. I recommend this program as it will touch your heart and make you feel why we celebrate this time of year and know that these strong and faithful women, knew Jesus Christ.

Each of us is an Innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus.

I printed the main words, then drew the words, Innkeeper, Jesus, and the picture of Mary and Joseph.

We had an assortment of fresh pomegranates, mangoes, and chocolate as gifts for the ladies to go home with as well as a simple bookmark of Christ and saying we had printed on the program.

Women of Faith

She knows of His interest in her life.

She knows that He knows her.

She loves His words and drinks deeply

Of that living water.

Margaret D. Nadauld