The Greatest King

Right now I'm listening to the Live Christmas Music Stream on Mormon Channel. It's a fantastic way to bring the spirit of the season into your home!

One of my favorite Christmas songs was just playing: 'What Child Is This?' My favorite line in the song is near the beginning of the third verse - "the King of Kings salvation brings". This basically sums up the whole song and its meaning. Christ was the KING OF KINGS, and yet He had to be humbled and "descend below them all" (D&C 122:8) to bring us salvation.

What does that tell us about the greatest King? The greatest King is humble, He loves His people enough to suffer all their trials and problems so that He can "succor" (Alma 7:12) them. This is one of the best messages of Christmas to me.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

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: 

The Reason Behind Christmas

Kids and Christmas

A Gift to the World

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

Beware of Christmas Carolers!

Christmas Elf on the Shelf Gone Wrong

Awkward Gift Swap

Christmas Cards

Celine Dion Goes Christmas Caroling

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

Day #2

If you haven't seen the other picks, check them out: Days 6, 5, 4, and 3.

The HYMN:

Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains
Far, far away on Judea's plains,

Shepherds of old heard the joyous strains:

[Chorus]
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Sweet are these strains of redeeming love,
Message of mercy from heav'n above:

[Chorus]
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Lord, with the angels we too would rejoice;
Help us to sing with the heart and voice:

[Chorus]
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men;
Peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Hasten the time when, from ev'ry clime,

Men shall unite in the strains sublime:

[Chorus]

Glory to God, Glory to God,

Glory to God in the highest;

Peace on earth, goodwill to men;

Peace on earth, goodwill to men!

(listen HERE)

Notice how, in this song, each verse includes the chorus as part of the sentence, or else it wouldn't be complete. The well-known strains of 'Glory to God' and 'Peace on earth, goodwill to men' all can be used in the context of each verse--shepherds heard the joyous strains - a message of mercy from heav'n above - help us to sing this with heart and voice - unite in the strains sublime. It is definitely a versatile chorus! This has been one of my favorite songs since Elder Ronald A. Rasband spoke in the 2013 Christmas Devotional and told the story of this song (watch HERE) right after the MoTab Choir sang it beautifully (listen HERE). This talk was what I remembered Elder Rasband by until he became an Apostle in October. 

The CHILDREN'S SONG:

Picture a Christmas

Picture a stable in Judea.

Picture a sacred, silent night.

And can you hear

The angels near

And see the star so bright?

[Chorus]

Picture the little baby Jesus.

Think of his life and words so dear.

Sing praise to him;

Remember him,

As you picture Christmas this year.

Picture the kind and gentle Joseph.

Picture the mother, Mary, fair.

And can you see

So rev'rently

The shepherds kneeling there?

[Chorus]

Picture the little baby Jesus.

Think of his life and words so dear.

Sing praise to him;

Remember him,

As you picture Christmas this year.

(listen HERE)

I love this song for so many reasons. First of all, it really does help you to picture the first Christmas and the way Jesus lived his life. Second, the little Primary kids sound ADORABLE when they sing it in Church! So sweet and a perfect reminder that Jesus truly 'once was a little child'. 

Day #3 Picks

This is part of my Christmas Song Countdown--see Day 6, Day 5, and Day 4. 

The HYMN:

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
 I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

 Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing, singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!
(listen HERE)

I'm guessing that there are very few other hymns that have the word 'hate' in them. But using this word helps illustrate the total change that the author (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) went through in his Christmas outlook. The tune of this song, though not that of a bell, reminds the singer of the rising joy felt by all who undertake this transformation. Especially now, when it seems like evil rules the world, let us each remember that "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will, to men!"

The CHILDREN'S SONG:

The Shepherd's Carol (Round)
(1) Mary, Mary, hush, see the Child.

(2) Joseph, Joseph, look, see how mild!
(3) This is Jesus; this is our King.
(4) This is our Savior; his praises we sing.

(1) All God's children, come to adore,
(2) Bringing gifts of love evermore.
(3) This is Jesus; this is our King.
(4) This is our Savior; his praises we sing.
(listen HERE)

This song is short and simple. It places the points directly before you--This is Jesus, this is our King. This is our Savior, his praises we sing. That's the truth, in the most simple and profound way. There's nothing else to it, really. It's simple, like many of my other picks, and the simple songs are the ones that best reflect the true meaning of Christmas.

Day #4!

This is part of my Christmas Song Countdown--see Day 6 and Day 5.

The HYMN:

Once in Royal David's City
Once in royal David's city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild,

Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,

Who is God and Lord of all,

And his shelter was a stable,

And his cradle was a stall;

With the poor, and mean, and lowly,

Lived on earth our Savior holy.

And our eyes at last shall see him,

Through his own redeeming love;

For that child so dear and gentle

Is our Lord in heav'n above,

And he leads his children on

To the place where he is gone.

(listen HERE)

This song provides a stark contrast--it begins by saying it is in 'royal David's city'. Then it tells us that the Lord and God of all came down to a lowly cattle shed. This is a perfect parallel to the Savior's life--"With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Savior holy." On earth, the King of Kings was always in the most humble circumstances. He served the poor, humble, meek, teachable. The rich young rulers and the respected religious leaders were not those he taught--mostly because they would not be taught. We need to remember that in order to be always open to the Savior and His gospel, we must be humble. And then, one day, we will come to the same place where our Savior has already gone--the most glorious place of all, full of the right kinds of riches.

The CHILDREN'S SONG:

The Nativity Song

This is the season beloved of the year.

Sing a rhyme; Christmastime soon will be here.

Tell the true story of Jesus' birth,

When, as a baby, he came to the earth.

This is the new star, shining so bright,

Lighting the world on that first Christmas night.

This is the angel proclaiming the birth,

Singing "Hosanna!" and "Peace on the earth!"

This is the stable, shelter so bare;

Cattle and oxen first welcomed him there.

This is the manger, sweet hay for a bed,

Waiting for Jesus to cradle his head.

These are the shepherds, humble and mild,

Hast'ning to worship the heavenly child.

These are the wise men who followed the star,

Frankincense, gold, and myrrh brought from afar.

See the sweet mother, Mary so fair,

Joseph, who guided the donkey with care.

See the dear baby of Bethlehem,

Little Lord Jesus, the Savior of men.

(listen HERE)

This is a simple song, much like the things and people it's describing. The tune is quiet and simple, matching the words. My very favorite line is the last one. To really grasp why it's my favorite, you need to hear/sing the song. It all leads up to the Christ child--the star, the stable, the animals, the visitors, Mary and Joseph--it all ends up at the center of Christmas, the most important part, the reason for Christmas: Christ. 

Have a wonderful day and I am sorry this post is late!!!

Day #5 of the Christmas Song Countdown!

If you haven't seen Day #6's picks, check them out HERE, and let me know what you'd have chosen.

The HYMN:

O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary,
And, gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,

And peace to men on earth.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

(listen HERE)

This song is one of my favorites (it is also one of President Monson's--link) because of the quiet, wondrous spirit in which it conveys its message. The notes rise in hope, but also keep the soft reverence of the hymn. I can't really describe exactly why I love any of these hymns. The only way you can really understand is by listening to and singing them yourself.

The CHILDREN'S SONG:

Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus

Said Samuel, "Within five years

A night will be as day,

And Baby Jesus will be born

In a land far, far away."

[Chorus]

Hosanna! Hosanna!

Oh, let us gladly sing.

How blessed that our Lord was born;

Let earth receive her King!

Across the sea, in Bethlehem,

Lord Jesus came to earth

As Samuel had prophesied,

And angels sang His birth.

[Chorus]

Hosanna! Hosanna!

Oh, let us gladly sing.

How blessed that our Lord was born;

Let earth receive her King!

(listen HERE)

In my opinion, the very best part of this song is the joyful chorus. After giving us the historical bit, the song changes and this chorus rings out, reminding us that not only WAS He born, but He is NOW alive, and we can so gladly sing about it!!! As I said yesterday, I love rejoicing songs. I love to sing them and feel of the light, peaceful, jubilant spirit they bring to meetings, homes, and my heart. 

Let me know what your favorite Christmas songs are!