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!
So each week as we perform Music & the Spoken Word, the Tabernacle typically fills to capacity. Visitors literally come from far and near to be a part of the program and they often get our their smartphones to take pictures or video of the choir rehearsing before the performance. We have distinguished guests from time to time, general authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, pastors and ministers from other faiths, and even ward and/or stake groups from across the valley. I'm a bit overwhelmed each week at the sight of it all.
Among those who attend EACH week, are the Elder and Sister missionaries who have been called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those in this area. And among those, is one elder who is, I dare say, one of our biggest fans.
I don't know his name, but each week he sits on the front row and eagerly takes
in the rehearsing and performing. As we finish singing the last song and the organ plays a short fade-out number (and Lloyd Newell completes his concluding words), this elder enthusiastically jumps to his feet and starts clapping with more vigor than I've seen from anyone else in my entire life. People in the choir give short chuckles of laughter every week upon witnessing this, and of course the rest of the audience follows suit shortly after his unashamed gratitude. While some might say he does this just for fun, I think he does it because he's really showing what he feels.
Thank you, standing ovationist, for your enthusiasm, courage, and support.
Two other things to mention...
First, my favorite song today was "Love Divine, All Love Excelling" which was arranged by Bro. Wilberg and reminded me of the feeling I get when singing "Come, Thou Fount". My favorite lyrics in "Love Divine..." are
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Lastly, we're spending the week preparing for General Conference this upcoming weekend. I hope you all are planning to tune in. Along with the excellent talks, you'll be able to hear some inspiring music as well.
Until next time, God be with you!
So we had a few interesting guests in the audience today for Music and the Spoken Word. One was Mitt Romney (who received a standing ovation when he was introduced), and one was John Rhys-Davies--who, for all of your Lord of the Rings fans, played the part of Gimli the dwarf. Mr. Davies was also a guest performer (see 1:27 into the performance) at the 2013 Christmas Concert.
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| John Rhys-Davies |
After the program was over and the audience was leaving, Mr. Davies came up to the podium and said a few complimentary and kind words to the choir. He said that he is always very inspired when he listens to us sing and that we are probably the only choir in the world who can have such an inspirational effect because of the way we live our lives. The morals and standards and principles we live in our personal lives are directly reflected in what we sing and the way we sing it.
While choir members have their shortcomings and faults just like anyone else, we certainly do try to live good lives that follow the example of our Savior. We are ambassadors of light, charged with sharing that light with the world through music and song. Some lyrics from one of today's songs speaks of this charge:
Hear us, we humbly pray;
And, where the gospel’s day
Sheds not its glorious ray,
Let there be light!
Oh, now to all mankind
Let there be light!
Through the earth, far and wide,
Let there be light!
(Let There Be Light, words by John Marriott)
Every single person on earth is given the light of Christ. Our goal is to help that light grow brighter within each person who hears us. And hopefully, with a brighter light, individuals improve their lives and strive to become more like their Savior.
Elder Quentin L. Cook summed it up best:
The moral foundation of our doctrine can be a beacon light to the world and can be a unifying force for both morality and faith in Jesus Christ. We need to protect our families and be at the forefront together with all people of goodwill in doing everything we can to preserve light, hope, and morality in our communities.
If we both live and proclaim these principles, we will be following Jesus Christ, who is the true Light of the World. We can be a force for righteousness in preparing for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We look forward to that beautiful day when “free hearts will sing when the lights go on again all over the world.”
Until next time...God be with you.
