One of my favorite traditions during Christmas time is setting up nativity scenes in my home. Like many of you, I adore watching children dress up to reverently reenact the scene of Christ’s birth.
As you introduce or review O Little Town of Bethlehem (archives) in primary this month, consider using this O Little Town of Bethlehem Silent Video idea! Share one of these sweet nativity videos with your primary children as you listen to this Christmas hymn.
**See all O Little Town of Bethlehem Singing Time Ideas**
O Little Town of Bethlehem Silent Video
If you’ve never used a silent video lesson in singing time, the basic idea is to share a video without the sound. Then, rather than listening to the dialogue or music in the video, the pianist plays the song in the background or you play a recorded version through a speaker.
This can be such a powerful way to introduce any song and invite the Spirit into your primary room. As you introduce or review this song, consider sharing one of these nativity videos below! I’ve included 3 options below for videos that you might choose to share for this spiritual connection activity.
If you are nervous about getting technology set up beforehand, ask for some help and do a test run before singing time to make sure everything will go smoothly!
At the beginning of singing time, tell the kids that you have a special singing time lesson planned for them. As you watch this video and listen to the music, pay attention to how you feel.
Look for reverent hands and voices as you start the video. When the video is finished, ask for a few volunteers to share how they felt during the video. Did you feel peaceful? Happy? Calm? These are feelings from the Holy Ghost.
After a brief discussion about the nativity video, begin teaching or reviewing O Little Town of Bethlehem. This copy of our O Little Town of Bethlehem flip chart can be a great help as you are teaching the words!
My sincere hope is that starting with a video of Christ will help the children feel the Spirit as they learn this song in primary and prepare for Christmas.
For another similar idea, head over to see this To Think About Jesus Silent Video singing time activity!
3 Nativity Video Options
There are so many beautiful videos that depict the Savior’s birth in Bethlehem. I think you will love these 3 nativity videos just as much as I do.
Two of the videos below are real-life depictions, and the last video is an animated version of the nativity. I hope you’ll find one of these videos to be perfect for your primary children and what they need!
1. The Christ Child: A Nativity Story
“The Christ Child” nativity video came out a few years ago as part of the “Light the World” initiative, and it is absolutely wonderful! Watching this video always brings me to tears with love for the Savior and admiration for the courage of Mary and Joseph.
Since this video is on the longer side for primary, you might consider starting the video about 6 minutes in. This will cut down the video time to about 10 minutes. It is definitely worth it!
2. The Nativity – Bible Videos
The Bible Videos have a beautiful nativity video as well. This video is about 8 minutes long and begins with Mary’s visitation from an angel.
You can also skip ahead to about 3:50 if you just want to focus on Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. Either way, your primary children are sure to love this sweet video.
3. Latter Day Kids: Animated Nativity Story for Children
Although I definitely prefer the live action nativity videos above, this Latter Day Kids animated nativity version is cute too. This might be a good option if you have lots of littles in your primary. This video is much shorter than the previous two, about 5 minutes long.
Extension Activities:
- Read different scriptural accounts of Christ’s birth together! You might consider reading the classic nativity story told in Luke 2, or you could also read the prophesies about Christ’s birth in Helaman 14:2 and 3 Nephi 1:9-15. Matthew 2:7-11 tells about the wisemen who came to visit Jesus as a young child.
- Try practicing with a sing along! Keep out your technology and use this O Little Town of Bethlehem Sing Along video!
- Put your acting skills to the test and reverently act out the nativity scene while listening to the song. See this Primary Nativity Skit idea for more details and a ready-to-go script!
- Listen to this lovely Tabernacle Choir performance of this Christmas hymn! Invite the children to share their feelings and impressions after the video.
Head over to this fun O Little Town of Bethlehem Dance Scarves for a simple movement pattern that is sure to keep everyone engaged!
What other fun ways will you use this silent video singing time activity in your Primary room?
