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His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful

A mystery bag of symbols, the people who waited centuries for Him, and one name of Christ to carry into the new year

  • 🧭 Youth 11–14
  • Week 52
  • 📅 Sunday, December 27, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

The whole Old Testament was waiting for Jesus Christ, and every symbol and name the prophets gave Him teaches me who He is and why I can rejoice in Him.

I can find Jesus Christ in the Old Testament’s symbols and names, and choose one of His names to help me follow Him this coming year.

Come, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Christmas)
Know the chapters

This Sunday closes a full year in the Old Testament, and the big reveal is that the whole book was pointing to Jesus Christ. Isaiah wrote that “unto us a child is born” and listed His names: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Micah named Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Balaam saw “a Star out of Jacob” (Numbers 24:17). Isaiah’s people said, “we have waited for him, and he will save us” (Isaiah 25:9). For centuries, faithful people held on to those promises without seeing them fulfilled.

The Book of Mormon adds a dramatic chapter to the Christmas story. Samuel the Lamanite prophesied that in five years the Savior would be born, with a night without darkness and a new star as signs (Helaman 14:2–5). As the deadline neared, unbelievers set a day to put the believers to death if the sign didn’t come (3 Nephi 1:9). The prophet Nephi prayed all day, and the Lord told him the sign would be given that very night. The sun set, and it stayed light (3 Nephi 1:12–21). In the Bible, Simeon had waited for years for the promised Messiah, and Anna, a widow of great age, served in the temple night and day; both recognized the baby Jesus when Mary and Joseph brought Him there (Luke 2:25–38).

Come, Follow Me this week invites us to look for Old Testament symbols of Christ (star, shepherd, lamb, water, rock, branch, light) and for His many names. Eleven- to fourteen-year-olds love a puzzle, and finding Christ hidden in plain sight across a whole year of reading is a satisfying finale. The manual also invites each person to choose one name or title of Jesus Christ to focus on in the new year. That fits naturally with setting new Children and Youth goals for 2027.

Keep this lesson joyful. Attendance may be small or full of cousins; visiting youth can jump right in because nothing depends on having been here before. No youth plays Jesus: in the story, the baby is a rolled blanket (or pantomimed), and Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s words are read by the teacher or narrator.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 25:9, Luke 2:8–16 and Luke 2:25–38, and skim 3 Nephi 1:4–21. Tap “I brought nothing” so every step uses its no-supplies version. Play Symbol Charades, let a youth narrate the Waiting for Him scene, do the Isaiah 9:6 names, play Symbol Showdown from your own scriptures, and finish with each youth silently choosing one name of Christ for 2027.

What to bring4 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Fill the mystery bag. Keep it closed so no one can peek.
  2. Bookmark Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 25:9, Micah 5:2, Luke 2:8–16, Luke 2:25–38, Helaman 14:2–5 and 3 Nephi 1:9–21.
  3. For Symbol Showdown, have these ready: John 1:29 (lamb), John 8:12 (light), John 4:14 (water), John 10:11 (shepherd), John 6:35 (bread), Numbers 24:17 (star), Isaiah 11:1 (branch), 1 Samuel 2:2 (rock).
  4. Add names in the My Class tab, or use the Name Spinner if visiting cousins show up.
  5. Decide which name of Christ you’ll focus on in 2027 and why. You’ll share it at the end.

If your class is wild

  • The day after Christmas break, energy swings wildly: some youth are wired on sugar, some are half-asleep. Start with the mystery bag; curiosity wakes everyone up.
  • Welcome visitors by name and hand them a part right away. Visiting cousins often become the best actors.
  • Let a youth run the mystery bag and another run the Symbol Showdown scoring.
  • If the group is tiny, combine roles in the story and play Symbol Showdown as one team racing the Big Timer.
  • End with real reverence. After the games, a quiet 30 seconds of silence before the testimony makes it land.

The 25-minute plan25 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

The Mystery Bag

3 min

Pulling everyday objects out of a bag and connecting each to Christ sets up the whole lesson as a treasure hunt.

  1. Hand the mystery bag to a youth. Say: “Every object in here is a symbol the Old Testament uses for Jesus Christ. Pull one out without looking.”
  2. For each object, the class races to explain how it points to Him: star (His birth), rock (a sure foundation), water (living water), light (light of the world), twig (the Branch), sheep (the Lamb, the Shepherd), bread (the bread of life).
  3. Give a point to the first team with a good answer. Pass the bag to a new youth each time.
  4. SAY“We spent a whole year in the Old Testament. Today’s reveal: it was about Him the whole time. People waited centuries for Him, and we get to see how the wait ended.”
🌪️ Only the youth holding the bag may reach in. No shaking or squeezing to guess.

Class screen: 🎒 Every object in the bag points to Jesus Christ. How? · Pull one out · First team to explain it scores

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A “mystery bag” (pillowcase or grocery bag) with 5–7 small objects: a star (paper or ornament), a rock, a water bottle, a flashlight or candle, a small twig, a cotton ball or toy sheep, a piece of bread

Symbol Charades

  1. Whisper a symbol to one youth at a time: star, rock, water, light, lamb, shepherd, bread.
  2. They act it out silently while the class guesses the object.
  3. Once it’s guessed, the first team to explain how it points to Jesus Christ scores a point.
  4. SAY“We spent a whole year in the Old Testament. Today’s reveal: it was about Him the whole time.”

Class screen: 🎭 Act out the symbol. How does it point to Christ? · Guess it, then explain it

2. Story

Scripture Scene: Waiting for Him

6 min

Seeing people wait for centuries, and then rejoice, helps youth feel the joy of Christmas as the Old Testament’s happy ending.

  1. Tap Roles in Teach Mode and hand out parts. Combine roles if the class is small; everyone else is the Waiting Crowd.
  2. Read each scene aloud (or hand narration to a strong reader). Isaiah reads Isaiah 9:6 from your scriptures in scene 1.
  3. In scene 4, you read the Lord’s words to Nephi yourself. No one plays Heavenly Father or Jesus; the baby is a rolled blanket.
  4. After the last scene, ask: “Simeon and Anna waited so many years. What do you think it felt like to finally see Him?”
🌪️ Samuel’s wall is the freeze signal: when you say “On the wall!”, everyone freezes and looks at Samuel.

Class screen: ⏳ They waited centuries for Him. Then He came. · Isaiah · Samuel the Lamanite · Nephi · Luke 2

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small blanket rolled up to be the baby in the manger scene (no one plays Jesus)

  1. Tap Roles in Teach Mode and hand out parts. Combine roles if the class is small; everyone else is the Waiting Crowd.
  2. Read each scene aloud (or hand narration to a strong reader). Isaiah reads Isaiah 9:6 from your scriptures in scene 1.
  3. Mary and Simeon cradle their arms as if holding a baby. No one plays Heavenly Father or Jesus; you read the Lord’s words to Nephi yourself.
  4. After the last scene, ask: “Simeon and Anna waited so many years. What do you think it felt like to finally see Him?”
3. Wiggle break

Nativity Freeze

2 min

A freeze-dance with nativity poses burns holiday sugar and reviews the story.

  1. Tap Freeze Dance. Everyone moves while the music plays.
  2. When it stops, call a pose and everyone freezes in it: Shepherd! · Sheep! · Star! · Angel! · Wise man! · Samuel on the wall! · Simeon holding the baby!
  3. Let a youth judge the best freeze each round and call the next pose.
  4. End on “Simeon holding the baby,” then everyone sits down quietly.
🌪️ If they’re too wild, switch to slow-motion dancing only.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🕺 Move! When the music stops, freeze in the pose! · Shepherd · Sheep · Star · Angel · Wise man

4. Scripture

His Name Shall Be Called…

4 min

Unpacking the five names in Isaiah 9:6 shows youth what the Savior can be for them personally.

  1. Read Isaiah 9:6 together with the motions.
  2. Assign each of the five names to a youth or pair: Wonderful · Counsellor · The mighty God · The everlasting Father · The Prince of Peace.
  3. Each gets 60 seconds to answer out loud: “When would a teenager need Jesus to be this?” (Counsellor: a big decision. Prince of Peace: anxiety before a test. Mighty God: a temptation that feels too strong.)
  4. Have a youth read Isaiah 25:9. Ask: “Why is ‘we have waited for him’ good news, not just a long wait?”
  5. Say the key verse together once more without looking.

Class screen: ✨ Wonderful · Counsellor · Mighty God · Everlasting Father · Prince of Peace · Isaiah 9:6 · When do you need Him to be each one?

5. Game

Symbol Showdown

4 min

A scripture race lets youth discover the Savior’s own words about the symbols the Old Testament used for Him.

  1. Two teams, paired up with scriptures. Call out a reference; the first pair to find it and shout the symbol scores.
  2. References: John 1:29 (lamb) · John 8:12 (light) · John 4:14 (water) · John 10:11 (shepherd) · John 6:35 (bread) · Numbers 24:17 (star) · Isaiah 11:1 (branch) · 1 Samuel 2:2 (rock).
  3. Bonus point: the finder explains in one sentence what that symbol teaches about Jesus.
  4. Let a youth read the last few references and keep score.

Class screen: 🔎 Find the verse, shout the symbol! · Lamb · Light · Water · Shepherd · Bread · Star · Branch · Rock

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures for each pair: their own, a classroom set, or Gospel Library on their phones

  1. Two teams. Read one of these verses aloud from your own scriptures, but say “BEEP” in place of the symbol: John 1:29 · John 8:12 · John 4:14 · John 10:11 · John 6:35 · Numbers 24:17.
  2. First team to shout the missing symbol scores.
  3. Bonus point: explain in one sentence what that symbol teaches about Jesus.
  4. Let a youth read the last few verses and keep score.

Class screen: 🔊 BEEP! Guess the missing symbol!

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Christmas Edition

4 minBONUS

A fast review of names, symbols and people, perfect for a room full of visiting cousins.

  1. Two teams. Tap Forehead Guess. One youth holds your phone or tablet on their forehead facing their team.
  2. Clue-givers can’t say the word. Tilt down for “got it,” up to pass. 45 seconds a turn.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess: Christmas edition

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A team quiz to close the Old Testament year.

  1. Two teams, one captain each. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  2. Huddle 10 seconds; only the captain answers.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown: Christmas finale!

8. Talk it over

Real Talk

4 min

Honest questions connect the Christmas story and a year of Old Testament to their lives now.

  1. Sit in a circle. Show one question at a time and give 10 quiet seconds before answers.
  2. Share your own answer to at least one.
💬 Ask the class
  • The Nephite believers were mocked and threatened for waiting on a promise. What does it take to keep believing when people around you don’t?
  • Simeon and Anna waited years for the Messiah, and Anna served in the temple night and day. What are you waiting on the Lord for right now?
  • Which Old Testament symbol of Jesus (lamb, light, water, rock, shepherd, bread, star) means the most to you, and why?
  • Looking back at this whole year in the Old Testament, what story or person helped you know Jesus better?

Class screen: 💬 Real talk

9. Testimony

A Name for 2027

2 min

End with testimony and one name of Christ each youth will carry into the new year.

  1. Lower your voice. Share the name of Christ you chose for 2027 and why, then your testimony of Him.
  2. Hand out cards. Invite each youth to write one name or title of Jesus Christ to focus on this coming year, and one Children and Youth goal that fits it.
  3. SAY“Next week we start the New Testament, where we get to walk with Him every week.”
  4. Invite a youth to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: ⭐ Choose one name of Jesus Christ for 2027 · Write it down · Add one goal that fits it

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: One index card per youth and a few pens

  1. Lower your voice. Share the name of Christ you chose for 2027 and why, then your testimony of Him.
  2. Ask everyone to close their eyes and silently choose one name or title of Jesus Christ to focus on this year, and one goal that fits it. Invite them to put it in their phone notes after class.
  3. SAY“Next week we start the New Testament, where we get to walk with Him every week.”
  4. Invite a youth to say the closing prayer.

Story drama

Waiting for Him

Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Helaman 14:2–5; 3 Nephi 1:4–21; Luke 2:8–38 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • IsaiahReads Isaiah 9:6 from the scriptures, 700 years early.
  • Samuel the LamaniteStands on the “city wall” (a sturdy chair) and announces the signs; ducks imaginary arrows that all miss.
  • NephiPrays all day when the believers’ lives are on the line.
  • ShepherdsTwo or three youth watching sheep at night, then running to Bethlehem.
  • MaryHolds the rolled blanket as the baby (or cradles her arms).
  • SimeonAn old man in the temple who has waited his whole life, and finally holds the baby.
  • AnnaAn elderly prophetess who serves in the temple night and day, thanks God and tells everyone.
  • The Waiting CrowdEveryone else: the watching people, the doubters, the sheep and the joyful crowd.

Scenes

  1. 📜👶 700 years early: “Unto us a child is born”

    Seven hundred years before Bethlehem, Isaiah wrote that a child would be born who would carry the government on His shoulder. He even listed the Child’s names: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

    🎬 Isaiah reads Isaiah 9:6. The Waiting Crowd says each name back, one at a time.

  2. ⏳👀 Waiting… and waiting… and waiting

    Micah named the town: Bethlehem. Other prophets added more clues. And then generations of faithful people waited. Grandparents told grandchildren. Some people stopped believing. Others kept watching the sky.

    🎬 The Waiting Crowd checks invisible watches, sighs, and then some turn away while others keep looking up.

  3. 🧱🏹 Samuel on the wall: five more years

    In the Americas, a prophet named Samuel the Lamanite climbed a city wall and shouted: in five years the Son of God will be born. The sign: a night with no darkness and a brand-new star. Angry people shot arrows at him, but not one could hit him.

    🎬 Samuel stands on the chair (hold it steady) and announces the sign. The Crowd pretends to fire arrows; Samuel doesn’t even flinch.

  4. 🙏🌅 A deadline, and Nephi prays all day

    Five years later, unbelievers set a day: if the sign didn’t come, the believers would be put to death. Nephi bowed down and prayed all day for his people. Then the voice of the Lord came to him: be of good cheer, the sign will be given tonight.

    🎬 Nephi kneels. The Crowd splits into worried believers and mocking doubters. The teacher reads the Lord’s words; the believers look up with hope.

  5. 🌞⭐ The sun goes down, and it stays light

    When the sun set, the sky stayed bright. All night long there was no darkness. The doubters fell to the earth in amazement, and a new star appeared. Far away, the Savior was about to be born in Bethlehem.

    🎬 The doubters drop to the floor in shock. Believers cheer silently with arms raised.

  6. 🐑👼 Shepherds hear the news first

    Outside Bethlehem, shepherds were watching their flocks at night. An angel appeared, the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said: unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

    🎬 Shepherds duck and cover their eyes, then run in place to Bethlehem. Mary holds the blanket; the Shepherds kneel.

  7. 👴👵 Simeon and Anna finally see Him

    Weeks later, Mary and Joseph brought the baby to the temple. Old Simeon had been promised he wouldn’t die before seeing the Messiah. He took the baby in his arms and praised God. Anna, a very old prophetess who served in the temple night and day, came in at that moment, gave thanks and told everyone who was waiting.

    🎬 Simeon cradles the blanket gently and looks up. Anna turns to the Crowd: “He’s here!” Everyone stands and cheers.

Key verse

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.”
In plain words: A child is born for us. He will rule, and His names tell us who He is: Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
🙌 “unto us a child is born” = rock a baby · “the government shall be upon his shoulder” = tap your shoulder · “Wonderful” = jazz hands · “Counsellor” = hand to ear, listening · “The mighty God” = flex · “The everlasting Father” = draw a big circle with no end · “The Prince of Peace” = hands pressed together, calm

More verses

Isaiah 25:9 ↗
“Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
In plain words: Look, it’s Him! We waited for Him, and He will save us. Let’s celebrate!
Numbers 24:17 ↗
“there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel”
In plain words: A Star will come out of Jacob’s family, a King out of Israel.
Luke 2:11 ↗
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
In plain words: Today in Bethlehem, your Savior was born: Christ the Lord.
John 8:12 ↗
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
In plain words: Jesus is the light of the world. Follow Him and you won’t walk in the dark.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 📜 Isaiah
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🧱 Samuel the Lamanite
  • 🙏 Nephi
  • 🌞 Night Without Darkness
  • ⭐ New Star
  • 🐑 Shepherds
  • 👼 Angel
  • 👴 Simeon
  • 👵 Anna
  • 🎁 Wise Men
  • 🐑 Lamb of God
  • 💧 Living Water
  • 💡 Light of the World
  • 🧑‍🌾 Good Shepherd
  • 🕊️ Prince of Peace
  • 👂 Counsellor
  • 🍞 Bread of Life
Clues for each word
  • Isaiah: Wrote “unto us a child is born” 700 years early
  • Bethlehem: The little town Micah named
  • Samuel the Lamanite: Prophesied from a city wall; arrows couldn’t hit him
  • Nephi: Prayed all day before the sign came
  • Night Without Darkness: The sign in the Americas of Jesus’s birth
  • New Star: Appeared as a sign of His birth
  • Shepherds: First to hear the news from an angel
  • Angel: Said “unto you is born this day… a Saviour”
  • Simeon: Promised he would see the Messiah before he died
  • Anna: Elderly prophetess who served in the temple
  • Wise Men: Followed the star with gifts
  • Lamb of God: What John the Baptist called Jesus
  • Living Water: What Jesus offered the woman at the well
  • Light of the World: “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness”
  • Good Shepherd: Gives His life for the sheep
  • Prince of Peace: One of His names in Isaiah 9:6
  • Counsellor: The one who gives perfect advice
  • Bread of Life: Jesus said whoever comes to Him will never hunger
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown10 questions

  1. Which prophet wrote “unto us a child is born”?
    • A. Isaiah
    • B. Malachi
    • C. Jeremiah
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Isaiah Isaiah 9:6, about 700 years before the Savior’s birth.

  2. Which of these is NOT a name in Isaiah 9:6?
    • A. Wonderful
    • B. Good Shepherd
    • C. Prince of Peace
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Good Shepherd Good Shepherd is from John 10:11. Isaiah 9:6 lists Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  3. Balaam saw “a Star out of” whom?
    • A. Egypt
    • B. Babylon
    • C. Jacob
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Jacob Numbers 24:17. The star became a sign of the Savior’s birth.

  4. How many years early did Samuel the Lamanite announce the sign?
    • A. One
    • B. Five
    • C. Forty
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Five Helaman 14:2: in five years the Son of God would come.

  5. What was the sign of Jesus’s birth in the Americas?
    • A. An earthquake
    • B. A night with no darkness
    • C. A rainbow
    Show answer

    ✅ B. A night with no darkness 3 Nephi 1:15: the sun set, but it stayed light all night.

  6. What did Nephi do when the believers were threatened?
    • A. Ran away
    • B. Prayed all day
    • C. Built a wall
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Prayed all day 3 Nephi 1:11–13. The Lord answered: the sign would come that night.

  7. Who heard the news of Jesus’s birth first in Luke 2?
    • A. The shepherds
    • B. King Herod
    • C. The priests in the temple
    Show answer

    ✅ A. The shepherds An angel came to shepherds watching their flocks by night (Luke 2:8–11).

  8. Who was promised he would see the Messiah before he died?
    • A. Zacharias
    • B. Joseph
    • C. Simeon
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Simeon Luke 2:25–26. He held the baby Jesus in the temple.

  9. Jesus said, “I am the light of the” what?
    • A. Temple
    • B. World
    • C. Night
    Show answer

    ✅ B. World John 8:12. Followers of Jesus don’t walk in darkness.

  10. What does Isaiah 25:9 say about the Lord?
    • A. “We have forgotten him”
    • B. “He is far away”
    • C. “We have waited for him”
    Show answer

    ✅ C. “We have waited for him” “We have waited for him, and he will save us.” The wait ended in joy.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Joy to the World Hymns, no. 201

    The waiting is over: the perfect opening hymn for this finale. Find it ↗

  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hymns, no. 209

    Packed with names and titles of Christ, just like Isaiah 9:6. Find it ↗

  • I Know That My Redeemer Lives Hymns, no. 136

    The baby they waited for is the living Redeemer we follow now. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

My Name for 2027

Put the name of Jesus Christ you chose somewhere you’ll see it every day: your lock screen, your mirror, or the front of your scriptures. Each time you see it, ask yourself: “How can He be that for me today?” Then read Luke 1 or Matthew 1, next week’s chapters, to start the New Testament strong.

Text the parents

Today in class we finished the Old Testament by finding Jesus Christ in its symbols (lamb, light, water, rock, star) and names (Isaiah 9:6: Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace), and we acted out people who waited for Him, from Samuel the Lamanite to Simeon and Anna. Ask your youth: which name of Jesus Christ did you choose for 2027, and why?

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🎶 Names in the Hymns · 5 min

  1. Open the Hymns section of Gospel Library or a hymnbook. Teams have 2 minutes to find as many names and titles of Jesus Christ as they can in Christmas hymns.
  2. Read the lists aloud. Ask: “Which name surprised you? Which one do you need most right now?”

🌿 The Branch · 4 min

  1. Read Isaiah 11:1–2 and Jeremiah 23:5. Explain that Jesse was King David’s father, and the “Branch” is the King who would come from his family.
  2. Ask: “Why would a tiny branch growing out of an old stump be a good symbol for Jesus?” (New life from something that looked finished.)

📅 Year in Review · 5 min

  1. Go around the circle. Each youth names one Old Testament person from this year (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, Esther, Daniel, Jonah…) and one way that person points to Jesus Christ.
  2. Keep going until someone gets stuck; a new round starts with them.

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All Youth 11–14 lessons