Today's Music & the Spoken Word marked an end for singing (and thoroughly enjoying) Christmas music with the Choir. I think some of the most powerful songs ever written are the ones that testify of Christ's life and His importance in our own lives. And certainly a lot of the Christmas music does just that. I love to picture myself as one of the characters in these songs. Whether it's being one of the heavenly hosts praising God during the visit to the shepherds, or the little drummer boy who realizes his gift of playing the drums for the baby Jesus is gift enough, or one of the wise men determined to make a long journey to see the Christ child, or a shepherd boy testifying to a king that someone greater than him has a message to share to the world.... There are great feelings to be had when you liken all of those great songs to yourself.
Yes, I'll miss those songs.
One other thought:
As I was sitting in Church today listening to the lesson, the instructor mentioned he had listened to the broadcast today and the song that touched him the most was "Come, All Ye Faithful." We've all heard that song dozens of times--but this
time, the title of the song really stuck out to him. Here is a plea from Christ to come. Come to Him. Come everyone who has faith and is trying to live a good life. Through HIM, you will find peace and hope and the abundant rewards of your faith.
We come to Him when we live as He did. When we serve others. When we recognize, and give thanks for, blessings. When we go out of our way to help another in need. When we ponder the scriptures or spend time in prayer. When we realize we messed up and seek forgiveness through repentance. When we put our arms on the shoulder of someone needing a smile and kind word. When we shoot off a text of appreciation or give someone a call who could use some cheering up.
What can you do today or this week?
Lastly, I just want to say how grateful I am for a very busy, stressful, but miraculous year. Being in the choir has been marvelous and all of the hard work has paid dividends 100 times over. Each time I go to choir, I still think "Can this be? Am I really here?" New friends and soul-stirring music have been incredible. Life outside of choir has been stressful and busy as well but tender mercies from heaven have caused me to realize that without a doubt, the Lord loves me and my family, and He loves each of you as well. To all of you who have played a part in my life this year, THANK YOU.
And Merry Christmas!
Until next time, God be with you!
Wow. I'm not sure I'll be able to adequately describe how great of an experience these last four days have been (and actually, the last six). I feel so blessed to have been a part of the 2014 Christmas Concert featuring Santino Fontana and the Sesame Street Muppets. In keeping with concert tradition, I'll record my thoughts and feelings via "Top 10" style. But overall, it was an amazing experience. And before I start with the Top 10, I want to thank my wife and children for being without a dad and husband for a lot of hours during the past couple of months. I appreciate all they did to keep things moving along on the home front!
The Top 10 of What Made the Concert Amazing? (in no particular order)
10. Seeing how it all came together. As a choir, we had practiced our songs for months but were never sure of how those songs would fit into the overall production of the concert. On Tuesday though, as we came together for the first rehearsal with everyone involved, we witnessed the wonder the concert was going to give to all who would see and hear it. Whether it was the playful and fun dialogue from the Muppets or excellent solos from Santino, or the dancers adding movement and flair, or the incredible organ solo, I was in awe at how all of the individual pieces came together to create such a magical program.
9. Watching the puppeteers bring Elmo, Bert, Ernie, Big Bird, Grover, and the rest of the muppets to life. At first I thought that the "magic" would be ruined a bit by seeing what went on behind the scenes. But it was nothing short of incredible to see how these puppeteers put their whole heart and soul into these beloved monsters who have given us all lessons of kindness, love, and respect over the past many years.
8. Hearing comments made from other choir members. Everyone seemed to
have their favorite moments that inspired them or brought them joy. And hearing them talk about them not only gave me some great insights but made me feel all the more grateful. It was great, too, to stand next to a treasured friend as well as hear all of the commentary coming from my fellow basses occupying the top corner!
7. Having the younger kids recognized. This year those as young as 5 were allowed to come to the concerts and Santino took several opportunities during the concert to involve the kids and let them know how special they were. I'm positive that most of them won't forget it.
6. Getting to spend time with choir members. We were with each other A LOT this past week. And while most of that time was rehearsing, we did have some down time to mingle. I had some important, meaningful conversations with some and I was grateful for those opportunities.
5. Hearing funny portions of dialogue that the muppets gave:
Bert: (upon being asked if he was ready to sing) "No, no, no, SantiNO."
Cookie: (talking about not having cookies) "Tis a disaster of epic proportions!"
Count: (during 12 days of Christmas) "Enough with the birds already!"
Grover: (after realizing they were all late to the concert) "When we go out, just act na-tur-al."
Big Bird: (after being asked if he needed any conducting tips) "no, that's OK. I'll just wing it."
Elmo: (wanting to hear the choir sing) "Please Santino, please, please, please, please..." [while moving around in various begging poses]
4. Looking down at the puppeteers who played Abby and Rosita near the end of one of our choir numbers testifying of Christ. They just had such a thankful expression on their faces--as if they were saying "We're so grateful to be here."
3. Hearing some of the puppeteers in the hallway backstage talk about their experience while being here in Salt Lake. They mentioned how much they had enjoyed it, how they had really been taken care of, and how they loved doing this concert.
2. Hearing our Choir President say to the choir (paraphrasing) "You know, some people ask me if I ever miss singing in the choir. And usually I say 'no', I had my time and I've moved on and it's OK. But for this concert (getting emotional), you all have the best seats in the house."
1. Looking upon the faces of our guests at the very end of the last concert on Sunday. We had them all turn to face the choir, and then we sang to them "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". The Spirit was very strong and I noticed several of them wipe a few tears from their eyes. I know that they'll never forget this experience. Not only because it was fun and refreshing and it had a wonderful Christmas theme, etc. etc. But because they felt the love we had for them, the prayers that had been offered on their behalf, and felt the truth of this great work our Church is proclaiming to the world: that Christ lives, and He loves every one of us.
Until next time, God be with you!
PS: Some video/pic links here.
Miracles happen every day. Through the years though, my definition of what constitutes a miracle has changed significantly. I used to think, when I was much younger, that all the "cool" miracles were over with. You know, the ones that the Bible is filled with: parting of the red sea, all of the Egypt plagues, the walls of Jericho crumbling, fire coming down from heaven to consume water-soaked wood, men of God being saved after being thrown into a fiery furnace...the list goes on. I remember longing to see one of those!
While I have no doubt that such miracles could occur today if God wanted them to, I've come to adopt a less outwardly-dramatic definition of miracles: a personal expression of God's love. And perhaps I would add, an undeserved expression of God's love that gives way to deep gratitude.
This year has been full of such miracles for me and my family. Whether it was me being accepted into the choir; or our home in American Fork selling to just the right family; or my wife getting an employment opportunity to help us financially; or my kids making some very good friends; or receiving help just when we needed it; or going to choir with a sinus infection or an upset stomach only to have those ailments temporarily taken away; or even finding a perfect parking spot during a day of stress and fatigue. Such things happen all the time if we but recognize them.
And so it goes with learning and memorizing one of the pieces we sang today. This piece of music called "Cum Sancto Spiritu" was given to us probably two months ago and Bro. Wilberg mentioned to us new choir members that it was going to be a very challenging piece to learn. So, for weeks now, during the days I get on the elliptical to exercise, I'd pull out that piece and set to work memorizing it. It did not come easy. But with prayer and lots of practicing, it started taking shape-- little by little-- before finally having things really lock into place. Performing it today and only forgetting a few spots was, in my mind, a miracle. The red sea did not part, literally, but the obstacles to getting this thing memorized did part. And I was grateful.
Look for your own miracles. You'll be surprised at what you find.
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Today after the broadcast was extra rehearsal #7. #8 will be Tuesday....but we are nearing the home stretch. Rehearsal Tues, then Thurs, then again on Sunday. On Sunday, we'll not only have that extra rehearsal until 11:30, but then will come back at 4pm to rehearse for the First Presidency Christmas Devotional that evening. And THEN my friends, I might as well rent a hotel room in Salt Lake City because, well, look at this schedule:
Ah, the fun of it all (it is fun, it'll just be a tiring week).
Until next time, God be with you.
