Thursday, December 24, 2015

Drum Roll Please...DAY ONE PICKS!!!

Check out the rest of my countdown: Days 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2!

Well, here it is Christmas Eve!! And it is the last day of the CHRISTMAS SONG COUNTDOWN! So, please enjoy my final picks!

The HYMN:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise;
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem!

[Chorus]
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris'n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

[Chorus]
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the newborn King!
(listen HERE)

This has been one of my favorite Christmas hymns all season. Most likely because, on the first Sunday of the month (Fast and Testimony Meeting), our bishop stood up and told us that a part of this song had really given him pause to think: "Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth." Think about this for one minute. We are man. We are the sons of earth. We are those to whom He gives second birth. That is the overarching message of the Christmas season. We receive the most glorious gift every Christmas when we remember that we have an opportunity for second birth, for second chances, for a second start. In fact, one of the Christmas videos that the Church released this year states it better than I ever could: Imagine a World Without a Savior.

The CHILDREN'S SONG:

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
When Joseph went to Bethlehem, I think he took great care
To place his tools and close his shop and leave no shavings there.
He urged the donkey forward then, with Mary on its back,
And carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack.

I think there at the busy inn that he was meek and mild
And awed to be the guardian of Mary's sacred child.
Perhaps all through the chilly hours he smoothed the swaddling bands,
And Jesus felt the quiet strength of Joseph's gentle hands.

And close beside the manger bed, he dimmed the lantern's light
And held the little Jesus close upon that holy night.
(listen HERE)

I think that I've said this about almost every song that I've 'picked': This is a humble, simple song. But that's what Christmas is supposed to be. A reminder of the humble, simple circumstances in which the Savior of the World was born. This reminds me of D&C 122:8, God speaking to Joseph Smith while he is a prisoner in Liberty Jail--"The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" And I think that God picked just the right person to be Jesus' earthly guardian--a humble carpenter, Joseph of Nazareth. This song perfectly captures my mental picture of Joseph. Another Church video for you: The First Christmas Spirit.

And if you're in the video-watching mood, here's some more great ones that remind you of the meaning of Christmas: 




And, of course, we couldn't forget some hilarious Studio C videos...sorry, couldn't resist!!






Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

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