Advent/Christmas 2024 Music & Thoughts

[SilentOne]

As I’ve learned more about Jesus Christ and His character, nature, love, and ability to strengthen my weaknesses and help me learn from my imperfections, I’ve realized that Christmas is a time to celebrate not only the infant Jesus who came to live on earth but also the adult Christ who “suffer[ed] pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; …”

“And … [took] upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people.”

As much joy as there is in celebrating the birth of Christ, perhaps the greater joy of the holiday—and the joy we can have all year long—is found in celebrating the resurrected Christ.

- Kaytlin Jenks

All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand.

- Doctrine & Covenants 138:14-15

[SilentOne]

In every season of our lives, in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and in each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy.

- David A. Bednar

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

- Luke 2:10-14

[zil2]

1 hour ago, SilentOne said:

In every season of our lives, in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and in each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy.

- David A. Bednar

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

- Luke 2:10-14

One of my two favorite Christmas hymns, and exactly the text I needed to read at exactly the right moment. Thanks!

[SilentOne]

 

I am reminded once again of the divine mission of our Savior, which comes sharply into focus in these still moments. He said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” I ponder the holy night that He was born, filled with gratitude for the Father’s gift of joy, hope, and love sent to the earth in His Only Begotten Son.

- Patrick Kearon

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined... For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:2,6

[zil2]

10 minutes ago, SilentOne said:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

[SilentOne]

Peace can come to all who earnestly seek the Prince of Peace. His is the sweet and saving message our missionaries take throughout the world. They preach the gospel of Jesus Christ as restored by Him through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Missionaries teach these life-changing words of the Lord: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

Peace can come to all who choose to walk in the ways of the Master. His invitation is expressed in three loving words: “Come, follow me.”

We’ll sing all hail to the Prince of Peace, for He will come again. Then “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” As the millennial Messiah, He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

- Russell M. Nelson

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

- Isaiah 26:3-4

[Ironhold]

On 12/14/2024 at 1:13 PM, SilentOne said:

Next set of songs from the list provided by @Ironhold

 

 

 

Out of curiosity, what did you think about the ones you listened to?

[SilentOne]

...peace is always found as we turn to the Savior, whose birth in Bethlehem we celebrate this season. At Christmastime, when personal trials, grief, and illness can ofttimes temper our Christmas celebrations, our testimony of the Savior’s birth, death, and Resurrection provides peace.

- Gary E. Stevenson

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

- Numbers 6:24-26

[SilentOne]

The world tells us that peace can be felt only when there isn’t any conflict. But that isn’t true! Through His gospel, Jesus Christ provides us with an inner peace that surpasses the peace the world offers. If we look to Him with faith, we can feel peace in any circumstance.

- Sarah Hanson

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

- John 16:33

[SilentOne]

The heavenly aspiration of good people everywhere has and always will be for peace in the world. We must never give up on achieving this goal. But, President Joseph F. Smith taught, “There never can come to the world that spirit of peace and love … until mankind will receive God’s truth and God’s message … , and acknowledge his power and authority which is divine.”

We earnestly hope and pray for universal peace, but it is as individuals and families that we achieve the kind of peace that is the promised reward of righteousness. This peace is a promised gift of the Savior’s mission and atoning sacrifice.

- Quentin L. Cook

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

- Colossians 3:15-16

[SilentOne]

On 12/18/2024 at 4:20 PM, Ironhold said:

Out of curiosity, what did you think about the ones you listened to?

I haven't actually listened to all the ones that I posted yet, but of the ones I did and the ones I remember from years past, they are done well and are mostly interesting to listen to, but don't really feel like Christmas to me. That is probably at least partly because the Christmas feeling, to me, is very tied to tradition and those songs just don't quite fit the styles of Christmas music I grew up listening to.

[zil2]

3 hours ago, SilentOne said:

That is probably at least partly because the Christmas feeling, to me, is very tied to tradition and those songs just don't quite fit the styles of Christmas music I grew up listening to.

This is me.  It's very, very rare that I like a Christmas song or hymn that I've never heard before.  If I do, there's a good chance it's similar to the things I grew up hearing.  And you can thank my parents that I actually like this song:

[SilentOne]

 

We each face moments in our lives when the great joy that the angel promised can seem elusive and distant. All of us are subject to the frailties and hardships of life—illness, failure, problems, disappointment, and, in the end, death. While many people are blessed to live in physical safety, others today do not. Many face great difficulty meeting the demands of life and the physical and emotional toll those demands can bring.

And yet, despite life’s hardships, the message of the Lord to each of us is the same today as it was to the shepherds keeping watch 2,000 years ago: “Fear not.” Perhaps the angel’s injunction to fear not has more transcendent relevance to us today than it did in calming the shepherds’ fear that first Christmas night. Could he also have meant for us to understand that because of the Savior, fear will never triumph? Could he have meant to reinforce the fact that ultimate fear is never justified, that no earthly problem need be lasting, and that none of us is beyond redeeming?

- L. Whitney Clayton

Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me. I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will.

- Doctrine & Covenants 19:23-24

[SilentOne]

I assure you that our confidence in our Savior Jesus Christ will strengthen us to continue moving forward in life, despite the challenges we go through.

Coming unto Him does not tie us down or limit our freedom! Rather, it gives us reason for firm hope and provides a solid anchor to our souls, giving us a lasting inner peace that we need to live in these days and find rest in Him.

If we don’t turn away from the light we receive from the Savior, we won’t have a hollow feeling of emptiness in our lives but a fulness that occupies the innermost chambers of our souls.

It is through the Savior Jesus Christ and His healing atoning sacrifice that we are enabled to stand tall and strong, even in the face of adversity. The Savior’s healing power fills our souls with peace, light, understanding, joy, and love.

- Ulisses Soares

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

- John 1:10-13

[SilentOne]

The Wise Men followed the light of a star to find and worship the Savior. We worship Him by following the light of His example. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is perfectly obedient, merciful, and kind. He spent His time on earth in service, and He gave His life so we could repent and live eternally. Because He came to earth, we know who we are: beloved children of Heavenly Father.

This Christmas, may we sing with joy, pray in gratitude, and carry out kind deeds. As we strive to become more like the Savior, we will have joy and happiness during this wonderful season and peace each day of the year.

- Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring & Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

- John 8:12

[SilentOne]

Jesus’ statement “Come and see” provides both an invitation and a promise to all people everywhere. Come to Him; see Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords; recognize in Him the great Messiah who will come again with healing in His wings, to set His people free. He will wrap you about in the cloak of His redeeming love, and your life will be changed forever.

- Alexander B. Morrison

Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free. Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!

- Doctrine & Covenants 128:22-23

[DurangoUT01]

I make an effort to READ the lyrics to all of the Christmas hymns in our hymnal.  There is much in the songs that is missed when just singing.  Try it sometime

Edited January 19 by DurangoUT01