This special interfaith event, “Witnesses of Christmas, was filmed from both Copenhagen’s historic Church of Our Lady and the visitor’s center near the Rome temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Music was provided by Jenny Oaks Baker and the Family Four and soprano Alex Sharpe. Narration was provided by Danish actor Tomas Ambt Kofod, who begins in the Church of our Lady (home of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue, as well as statues depicting the original twelve apostles). A replica of the Christus and the other statues can also be seen in the background at the Rome temple visitor’s center behind the musicians.

This special Christmas presentation includes “memorable musical performances blended with a biblical account of our Savior’s humble birth in Bethlehem. Encounter the diverse cultures of Europe as you watch holiday traditions in this unique Christmas event.”

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There are two things that, for me, help make Christmas special — lights and music. The list of Christmas music that lifts my spirits is endless.

Today, I wanted to share a new Christmas song by Shawna Edwards and Angie Killian. It’s a children’s Christmas song called “When We Seek Him.” It captures how Jesus is anxious and willing to walk with us in our lives, if we simply seek Him.

We’ve included a couple other songs from these two composers below.

Shawna Edwards’ first song, “Do You Have Room?” was first written for her family as a Christmas gift after reading

You can read the whole story on Shawna’s blog. We also have it shared a few times here on our site. It was a song written for her family as a Christmas gift after reading this article by Thomas S. Monson. Re-reading his words, shared in 1990, they tie in beautifully to “When We Seek Him” as well.

“Before we can successfully undertake a personal search for Jesus, we must first prepare time for him in our lives and room for him in our hearts. In these busy days there are many who have time for golf, time for shopping, time for work, time for play—but no time for Christ.

“Lovely homes dot the land and provide rooms for eating, rooms for sleeping, playrooms, sewing rooms, television rooms, but no room for Christ.”

TIt was after her father’s death that she decided to have the song recorded. Her dad had often asked her if she was going to do anything with the song. Shawna asked April Meservy to record it, and on a whim, Shawna put the music on YouTube to share with a few friends and family members and at a church activity. It quickly went viral. Shawna got emails from people all over the world wanting to listen to and sing this song.

You can download sheet music for the song here and the lyrics can be found here.

Angie Killian started writing music in 2016 as a way to teach her children more about Jesus Christ (and to find her own peace through the long nights of young motherhood). Like Shawna, she has felt compelled to write music and share it to help build faith in Jesus Christ.

Angie recently shared another Christmas song called “Wonderful One.” I thought it was pretty amazing that she was able to include dozens of missionaries in the music video.

As we move into the last week before Christmas, let’s all try to remember the Reason for the Season and make room to seek Him each day.

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See that spike right there? That’s what happens to our traffic on this website around Halloween. People really wonder if members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrate Halloween. I hope that those who wonder got a little more insight into that answer (short answer — the if, how, and how much varies for everyone, but on the whole, the answer is yes).

I hope we will have fewer people wondering about whether or not we celebrate Christmas (although some still may wonder, given the pagan connections to some of the Christmas traditions).

At the very heart of our faith is Jesus Christ, so when the birth of the Son of God is celebrated around the world, you can believe that we celebrate with the world! To us, He is the the Life and Light of the World. Once again, when it comes to how individuals and families might celebrate the Christmas season, that will vary.

But this post is about one way we as a worldwide church community celebrate the season. It’s called #LightTheWorld.

The intention is to turn the Christmas season into a month-long focus on service. This year, the #LightTheWorld effort has been expanded to say “Light the World with Love.”

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist

There’s a calendar of service ideas if you and/or you and your family would like to join in along the way. Or you can create your own service calendar. There’s also a child-friendly service calendar for those who have little ones.

And although the pandemic is still here with us, this year, the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines are back.*

If you haven’t heard of the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, you can read more here. What started as an experiment a few years ago has expanded into a continually-collaborative effort in multiple cities across the United States, with nonprofits that serve people around the world. 100% of donations go to help the charity you choose, and the charities with which the Church collaborates all care about helping people one by one, just as Jesus did.

All credit card fees are covered by the Church of Jesus Christ to also serve the nonprofits to which you are donating.

“Imagine swiping your credit card at a vending machine—but instead of buying a candy bar for yourself, you’re buying a sheep for a family in a third-world country. Or a polio vaccine. Or a pair of shoes. Or 100 meals for your local food bank. With the #LightTheWorld Giving Machines, that’s exactly what happens. The Giving Machines provide a way for people to follow the example of Jesus to help those in need and make the Christmas season a little more meaningful for themselves and for countless others.“

You can also give online by donating to one of the charity partners working with the Church to do more good, together. Or, of course, feel free to donate to your favorite charity, with time or goods or funds or a social media share or whatever feels right for you.

“The organizations featured in the Giving Machines represent a wide variety of global and local causes—all with pressing needs and the goal of helping people one by one. If you’re wondering what you should donate, consider spending a bit of time learning about the charities before visiting the machines or donating online. You might find a cause or item that resonates with you. As you give that gift, remember that your donation is truly helping someone in need.“

#LightTheWorld starts on November 30 by encouraging people to participate in #GivingTuesday. There are so many ways to share more light and goodness and love. Although we can’t measure it here, we hope that this Christmas season, there will be a spike in service and good will as we each try to find ways to #LightTheWorld.

*As COVID is, unfortunately, still causing issues around the world, and there are those around you whose bodies may be more at-risk, please be cautious and considerate of others if you choose to use the machines and as you are out and about this Christmas season.

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The 12 Days of Christmas Music is coming to an end, and the list of wonderful music is much longer than we could have shared here. But I hope you have enjoyed some of the music all the same. We’d love it if you shared any of your favorite Christmas music in the comments or on our Facebook page.

Before I get to the heart of this last day’s post, I wanted to slide a little something in that I didn’t get to sharing earlier. It’s a wonderful annual program called “Christmas Under the Stars” that is broadcast on BYU-TV. This year, Lauren Daigle was the guest artist, and you can watch the rebroadcast of that concert here. Some past concerts are also available for your enjoyment, including performances with John Legend, The Band Perry, Train, and Vocal Point. (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Jordan Smith were also guests on this program, but apparently that can’t be viewed on demand anymore. Keep an eye on BYU-TV next Christmas — they did broadcast this concert once this year on December 4. It’s amazing.)

But to finish off our 12 Days of Christmas Music celebration, it seems only fitting to conclude with the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. There are many versions out there, but given the challenges of 2020, I thought the World’s Largest Virtual Hallelujah Chorus would be an appropriate version to share. I encourage you to sing along as you listen!

If you are looking for even more of Handel’s Messiah, you can find a performance of the entire Messiah here, including options for subtitles in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese). The Tabernacle Choir Messiah page also includes a link for a free downloadable score of the music, which is also available in several languages (click on the flag in the top right corner of the page). And you will find many other resources about this majestic musical masterpiece that honors Jesus Christ in such a powerful way.

Even though we are having to physically separate more than usual this year — not even being able to sing together as usual! — I would like to share Kelli O’Hara’s words when she was interviewed about singing with the Tabernacle Choir (which you can do if you sing along here!)

“Every year, I need to find what it is that brings that really overwhelming sense of everything greater than us, together. I need to find the moment when everybody comes together for that same purpose…. [W]e’re all here for the same thing, for the same bit of love, the same bit of hope, and that’s what it feels like. It’s a oneness, and it’s refreshing.”

After scheduling this post, I stumbled on an opinion piece entitled, “World peace is already here. Are you listening for it?” It echoed what I was feeling as I settled on what to share for the final 12 Days of Christmas Music post, and expanded upon it, so I wanted to be sure to share it.

The article is about Eric Whitacre’s amazing virtual choir that came together over the summer, with over 17,000 voices from 129 countries. You can read the lyrics of the beautiful song, “Sing Gently” in the article. Watch the incredible virtual choir here.

And linger with me on the author’s final words.

When so much consumes us, where do we find peace?

A different choir answered that question two millennia ago. To shepherds they rejoiced at the birth of a babe in a manger, the promised messiah, the Prince of Peace.

Their heavenly song lifts us today if we’re willing to join them.

On this Christmas day, wherever we are, singing and celebrating safely in our own private spaces, we can still join our hearts together as one around the world as we celebrate and sing personal praises to the One who came to save us all.

Merry Christmas!

May we sing together, always.

May our voice be soft.

May our singing be music for others

and may it keep others aloft.

Sing gently, always.

Sing gently as one.

May we stand together, always.

May our voice be strong.

May we hear the singing and

May we always sing along.

-Eric Whitacre

The post 12 Days of Christmas Music, Day 12: “Hallelujah”…”World Peace is Already Here” appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, the #LightTheWorld invitation was to share an inspirational story. I shared two versions of a similar story related to little miracles that allowed me to enjoy beautiful, inspiring music during the Christmas season. Links are included so you can enjoy the music that graced my life.

#1. It was the weekend of the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert (last year) and without meaning to think the thought, I thought, Wouldn’t it be amazing if I could have the chance to go see Kristin Chenoweth?

Immediately, I hushed the thought, because it’s pretty much impossible to get into these concerts. Tickets are free, but they disappear within minutes of becoming available.

I was shocked when I woke up to news that my sister’s friend had two extra tickets. And so I was able to go with a sister to savor this concert. (Maybe the thought I didn’t mean to think was itself a gift?)

The concert was exquisite. And Kristin is so delightful. She even made Mack Wilberg blush. The concert included a mix of sacred and lighthearted music; moments of laughter and moments of reflection.

I’m so happy to say that this wonderful concert is available online here: https://www.byutv.org/player/3d08403c-937e-46b8-893f-68ad8ee411bc/christmas-with-the-tabernacle-choir-featuring-kristin-chenoweth-christmas-with-the-tabernacle-choir-featuring-kristin-chenoweth?fbclid=IwAR3g6DvUjDYZl4YfTqMww90YDpIEJQgwWnfUo02-YmsHJQgy_repvzT-MFo

#2. For years, I had wanted to see “Savior of the World” (a reenactment of the Savior’s life), but I have sleep and health issues that make attending such events difficult. It’s hard to commit to events that are not very close to my home because I never know from day to day what my body will be able to do.

But a couple of years ago, I got a text from my friend who had two tickets she was not able to use. Would I be interested in using them? I wanted to make this work, but was still nervous about whether I could make it happen. My sister immediately came to mind as the one to invite. She was going through a rough time and I also just wanted to spend time with her.

But she didn’t think she’d be able to go, and since I was unsure about if it would be good for me to make the effort (because there would be a physical cost in doing so).

So I simply gave it to God. If this is something that I could do and that would help my sister, please help her to be able to go. I think it was the day before the performance that she texted me saying she could go. And oh, what a sacred experience we had together.

The moving music from this performance is freely available. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/music/savior-of-the-world/download-material?lang=eng

In fact, the whole performance (script, notes, scenery, etc. can be downloaded). That’s how my church rolls…trying to make as much available as possible, when possible.

Merry CHRISTmas!

The post 12 Days of Christmas Music, Day 10: Christmas Music Miracles appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

The other day, I was doing some Christmas wrapping and wanted to listen to some inspirational Christmas music. I picked a playlist on an account I have and was delighted with what I heard. Some of the songs were not new, but many were. The curated Christian Christmas music list had a lot of variety of genres of music, including Country music to Black spirituals to a majestic instrumental piece. Here’s the list I stumbled on. I have several other lists but it was fun to listen to someone else’s compilation, because I got to enjoy new music that helped me think of the Christmas story through different lenses and interpretations, all with a worshipful intent to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s gift to the world…to each of us.

“The First Noel” by Kari Jobe

“O Come O Come Emmanuel” by Phil Wickman

“Silent Night” by NEEDTOBREATHE

“Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant

“Noel” by Chris Tomlin

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” by for KING & COUNTRY

“Little Drummer Boy” by for KING & COUNTRY

“Peace on Earth” by Paul Baloche

“Sing Noel” by Newsong

“Joy to the World” by Lincoln Brewster

“Sweet Little Jesus” by Natalie Grant

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by JJ Heller

“Tennessee Christmas” by Matt Wertz

“Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Laura Story

“The Christmas Song” by Lauren Daigle

“Love Has Come” by Matt Maher

“I Celebrate the Day” by Jars of Clay

“Go Tell It On the Mountain” by Kirk Franklin & The Family

“The Miracle of Christmas” by Michael W. Smith

“Shepherd’s Song” by Josh Garrels

“Receive Our King” by Meredith Andrews

“Redemption Song” by Mikeschair

“Joy” by Selah

“Mother” by Love & The Outcome

“I Pray on Christmas” by Dave Barnes

“Shining Light” by Rend Collective

There are many different Christian Christmas Music playlists out there, so a simple search can offer you your own Christmas concert that may have some delightful surprises for your spirit.

What does your Christmas playlist look like?

The post 12 Days of Christmas Music, Day 9: Christian Music Playlist appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I saw this post over the weekend from a Christian woman named Ann Voskamp and it made me think of how Shawna’s song can connect to a favorite Christian song of mine.

Make room for Him. Behold Him. Remember Him. And be held by Him. Enjoy this [not Christmas] song by Casting Crowns.

The post 12 Days of Christmas, Day 8: Make Room for Christ…and then Be Held appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

At Christmastime, it’s often a tradition for those who live close to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah (USA) — or for those who visit — during the holidays to enjoy the lights at Temple Square. Because of COVID-19, the access to Temple Square is, of course, limited. So this year, for the annual Christmas lighting ceremony at Temple Square, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created a special virtual concert and tour of the lights, with young women serving as missionaries giving a tour of Temple Square and areas around it.

This special event also included musical performances both from Temple Square and also from various places in the world, and representing a variety of cultures.

In addition, below is a compilation of several Christmas specials from the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra and Temple Square from previous years. Many of these performances include guest appearances…

…from artists like Kristin Chenoweth and the Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble.

Here is a Christmas special from 2018. (Individual tracks can be found here.)

And another Christmas special from 2018 (individual tracks here). This performance includes the Bells at Temple Square.

To see more of Music and the Spoken Word, a weekly tradition for decades, see the website for the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

Or you can see all past episodes of Music and the Spoken Word here.

You can connect to the livestream any Sunday, or find information about where you can watch it on television. More information on the Choir’s website.

The post 12 Days of Christmas, Days 6 & 7: Lights and Songs from Temple Square and beyond appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This reminded me of a beautiful Christmas song, “The Star Still Shines” (written by Shawna Belt Edwards, sung by David Osmond) about how we can find the light of the Savior every day. He is the “day star” that can shine in our hearts.

The post 12 Days of Christmas Music, Day 5: “The Star Still Shines” appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Because of COVID-19, there is no live Christmas concert with the Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (which concert always features a special guest artist or two).

But for the first time ever, you can watch one of these concerts (last year’s) on television or your computer! (COVID has opened a lot of new opportunities for sharing and experiencing beautiful things.)

This performance includes guests Kelli O’Hara and Richard Thomas. The concert will premier today at BYU-TV at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST.

It will be rebroadcast Sunday, December 20th, at 7:30 ET/4:30 PST and Wednesday, December 23rd, at 7:30 EST/4:30 PST.

Hear some of Ms. O’Hara’s thoughts about being able to perform with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, and catch a glimpse of what goes into making one of these concerts a reality.

Many thanks to those who did what it takes to help make this concert available for us this year!

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