Christmas Songs

A big thank you to my mother. As I have been feeling very 'scroogey', I asked for help. My dear mother reminded me of the beauty and spirit of Christmas hymns. A fact about me: I hate 'rock beat' Christmas music. It's okay if the song was written for a moving beat, but please leave the sacred hymns alone! That said, I am going to be sharing my favorite christmas songs.
Silent Night- Probably one of the first Christmas songs I ever learned. I think I love the 2nd and 3rd verses even more than the 1st. Something about a sacred quiet arrangement of this song makes my heart in tune with heaven.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing- I love this song. Yes, Mom, I love 'mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die'. I think my favorite rendition of this song has a neat memory that I choose to share. We were attending the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Broadcast. (I love those!) We arrive early to get in our seats and watch the last minute rehearsals. I love seeing the program a few times. This year's guest was Sissel. I had never heard of Sissel. I just knew she was a Scandinavian artist. As the choir practiced their first song, a full figured lady in one of the choir dresses sang the solo. It was okay but really nothing spectacular. I settled down to enjoy the show. As the official program started and the strains of Hark, the Herald Angels Sing began, an angel began singing with the choir. A beautiful young woman in a gorious dress with one of the most incredible voices I have ever heard was on stage. I have her singing this song...it always makes me happy.
Joy to the World- Christmas music season starts on Thanksgiving evening. I have to start it with Julie Andrews singing Joy to the World. So well written. The music and words stir us up to joy. I love that Handel wrote the music. I think he was a very inspired composer. Let every heart prepare Him room!

An Angel's Prayer

Yesterday, I was playing the organ for Sacrament meeting. The Sacrament hymn was 'In Humility Our Savior'. As I played and prayed in my mind, I heard a little angel's voice. The music was beautiful. I couldn't understand the words, but I understood the feelings. I glanced in the direction of the voice. It was darling Colton singing his heart out. He had a beautiful voice. It was in tune and he was singing with his heart. It made me think more about what was about to take place. I was getting ready to recommit myself to my Savior. I have always thought of Heavenly Father and Jesus as larger and white and kind of marble finished in my mind. Like statues. But in my mind I felt how they really are. Flesh like me. Real. I love them. I want to be with them. I love music for helping me feel that.

How Could I Keep From Singing

This afternoon , I held my newest lamb in my arms. His little legs are sore from the ‘protection’ of his immunizations. As I gently held him, I remember how he responds to my singing. He is so fresh from heaven that he seems to sense the testimony that leaves my heart in the form of song. I am working on learning a new song- How Can I Keep From Singing?. As I started to sing the words to him-
My life flows on in endless song above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn
That hails a new creation
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing
It finds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?
Little Liam’s eyes started to sparkle and he burst forth in the most beautiful smile. He started to ‘sing’ with me. The soft coos and language that are available to him joined me through the rest of the song.
What tho' my joys and comfort die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth
What tho' the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night He giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that Refuge clinging
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin
I see the blue above it
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart
A fountain ever springing
All things are mine since I am His
How can I keep from singing?
Oh, that was my treat for the day. No sweets or earthly comforts could have made my heart as full of joy as had that moment. I will keep singing to this treasure child until the pull of the world over shadows my feeble voice and pulls him to more exciting climes. But today, Liam and I shared a song.

Whenever I Hear.....

I am a little needy this week. I need to know that my Heavenly Father loves me and will help me through all things. I have felt His love, comfort and strength. The peace I feel is incredible. But I also am appreciating the little ways I am being told that He is over all. We have a robin that is chirping his territory call every time I am outside. "Whenever I hear the song of a bird..." I am noticing all the beauties around me. They are no accident. Yesterday, as a class was filing into the music lab, a sweet 3rd grade girl handed me a tiny white flower. I know that it was a weed, but it felt like a rare orchid. I appreciated her thoughtfulness. She didn't know that I needed that flower, but there it was. I felt the love of my Father at that moment also. A few tears were trying to make an escape, but I stemmed them and enjoyed the beauty of music.
I have been thinking of the song,
Whenever I hear the song of a bird, or look at the blue, blue sky.'
Whenever I feel the rain on my face, or the wind as it rushes by.
Whenever I touch a velvet rose, or walk by my lilac tree
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world, Heavenly Father created for me.

ReEchoing

I was so thrilled for the treat of listening to the Echoes at Relief Society on Thursday. They sound terrific. They blend well. I loved hearing the songs and feeling their testimonies permeating the room. The Echoes in my heart that night were of love and re commitment. I have been blessed to have such great friends. I really feel that my musical friends have iron strong bonds with my heart.
Thanks again guys. You are the best.

In Joy or Pain

I had wanted to feel closer to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I had studied the scriptures and increased my prayer time. As I was studying the words to "I Need Thee Every Hour", it struck me that I was very good at calling on the Lord in my times of trial and pain. I knew where to turn for comfort and succor and even miracles in my life. I realized that I wasn't so good at inviting Him into my life in moments of joy. I prayed for guidance and reminders to include my best friends in happy times also. As I sat in the temple instruction room with Morgan last May, the gentle reminder popped into my head as this hymn was suddenly there in my heart. Specifically the words, " I need thee every hour, In joy or pain, Come quickly and abide or life is vain." I said a prayer and invited the Savior and my Heavenly Father to be with me on this great day of my life. I felt their presence the entire day. I am grateful for the day, music and Their influence in my life. I am grateful for this memory. I am grateful for this hymn.

I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord
No tender voice like thine can peace afford
I need thee, oh, I need thee
Every hour I need thee
O bless me now my Savior
I come to thee!

I need thee every hour Stay thou near by
Temptations lose power when thou art nigh.
I need thee, oh, I need thee
Every hour I need thee
O bless me now my Savior
I come to thee!

I need thee every hour In joy or pain
Come quickly and abide or life is vain
I need thee, oh, I need thee
Every hour I need thee
O bless me now my Savior
I come to thee!

I need thee every hour most holy One
Oh make me thine indeed thou blessed Son
I need thee, oh, I need thee
Every hour I need thee
O bless me now my Savior
I come to thee!

I Am A Child of God

Last night as we were enjoying Family Home Evening, we frosted Christmas cookies. As I was taking everyone's cookie to set on the counter to dry, Hayden told me to listen. From under the table a sweet little voice sang, "Lead me, guide me, walk beside me". Our precious Ethan was singing so clear and beautiful. Our stake president recently asked how we can tell we are on the right track in the things we are teaching and living. I think that gives me peace. I think we are on the right track.