Born to be our friend and other powerful carol truths

I joked to a friend tonight as I swayed back and forth humming Silent Night that I was self medicating on Christmas carols...it was only sorta a joke. 

When I came up stairs to see my Christmas tree lying on the ground, with Aaron happily jumping on the couches, oblivious too his mother's dismay, I knew it was a good thing I was headed to the Stake Choir Festival tonight. 

A good does of excelsis deos was just what I needed. 




I love singing Christmas carols with my primary kids. I taught them the sign language (that I learned when I was their age!) for Silent Night...they were so carful to get all the movements just right, their little hands rocking invisible babies and their little arms rolling up into heaven before coming down in a perfect gesture of peace. 
It was so... serene (which is not always the word I'd use to describe our active primary:)

After church at choir one of my friends boys were playing near by when we began practising a beautiful arrangement of Silent Night and Jesus Once of Humble Birth-- oh the moment he heard those opening chords, he started silently signing along, with a sweet  smile on his face. Made me so happy, seeing him notice and connect to that classic carol.  

Especially once I watched this BYU-TV movie Silent Night.

In the movie the character Joseph Morh talks a lot about the power of music to help us feel the hope of the Saviour. That is exactly what Christmas music does for me, it proclaims the joy that that our Lord, Jesus Christ came! That He fulfilled the plan of Redemption so that we might hope, that we might learn and grow and forgive and change, and find peace, comfort and joy. It makes me feel the hope and joy of the gospel of Christ, and reminds me that my Saviour is real and that He knows me.

So even if it's some cheesy soft rock version playing on the radio, I am continually taken aback by how full of truth the carols are, how inspired and bold they are not only in proclaiming Christ's divinity at His birth, but declaring that He will come again and Reign.

I love hearing prophecies of restoration within theses hymns written during the reformation by men who loved the Lord and were such instruments in His hands.I feel a kinship with those shepherds who went forth to tell the world of a babe, seeking believing hearts to liten to their message, just as our missionaries do today. I feel a kinship with those angels, singing gloria and hosanna's, not only because Christ came in the meridian of time but because He would  continue to connect men and angels in holy temples in the Latter-Days as well, as we work to continue to fulfil his word and his work, and "Hasten the time" that all will see Him return, no longer a lowly babe in swaddling clothes, but our King, clothed in majesty and mercy, this time to "reign personally upon the earth" (Aof F 10) when again "saints and angels" will sing and "greet him with anthems sweet", because our hearts will be full of praise and gratitude...and maybe even a few Christmas carol lyrics. 

Today I am thankful for the powerful music of Christmas and their message of joy.

Joy to the World
the Lord is come.
He'll come and make the blessing flow

Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n.
Come adore on bended knee

the dawn of Redeeming Grace
Christ, the Saviour is born.
Born is the King of Israel!

This, this is Christ the King.

Strains of Redeeming love
Message of mercy

When our eyes at last she see Him, Through His own Redeeming Love


How silently the wondrous gift is giv'n
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n

To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray

To free all those who trust in Him From Satan's power and might

Still their Heavenly music floats 
O'er all the weary world
Ev'r ore it babels sounds, the blessed angels sing.

Shall not cease til holy peace,  in all the earth is growing.

Proclaim  the holy birth!

Where meek souls will recieve him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Be near my Lord Jesus, 
I ask Thee to stay close by me forever. 

Fit us for Heaven.

Ris'n with healign in His wings.
Born that man no more may die.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining. 

Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. 

With glowing hearts 

by His cradle we stand. 

He knows our need, 

our weakness is no stranger.

In all our trials born to be our friend. 

to be my friend
my King.
my Savoir and Redeemer.

How grateful I am for the Lord Jesus Christ, born in a manger, born to be my friend. 
Or as Mr. Kruger put it "my closest, finest friend....thank you, thank-you."