Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Carols, Songs of Praise
Hi Darlings!
I think this past week was my turn to post, but preparing for Christmas Eve and Christmas made me lose track of my turn. But I have found something. The talk comes from Elder Merrill J. Bateman, found in the 2001 Ensign, entitled "The Power of Hymns."
http://lds.org/ensign/2001/07/the-power-of-hymns?lang=eng
For me, it wouldn't be Christmas without the festive carols, and sacred hymns of praise and rejoicing. My family comes from a Catholic background; my mother's family from South America and Spain, and my Dad's family from Sicily. For the people of these nationalities, Christmas Eve is almost the more important and sacred day of the two.
As a cultural result, for most all my life, Christmas Eve has been my favorite holiday. We gather as a family at my uncle's house, where we have Argentine asado (bbq) for dinner. Then we talk and have games, and end the night with an hour or so of singing. We start with the fun carols like Jingle Bells and Rudolph, then slowly make our way to the hymns like Joy to the World and Silent Night. We even added a hymn of our own: Bless Us All from the Muppet Christmas Carol. The words are prayer asking for peace and love from our Father in Heaven, and expressing gratitude for the blessing of family.
As Elder Bateman explains, testimony can be shared, and learning can happen through these hymns. The hymns really are musical forms of testimony and prayers. Giving the example of Peter singing a Psalm to the Sanhedrin so that Doctrine might be taught and shared, we learn that singing a hymn carries a sacred responsibility with it. Hymns of praise nourish not just those who hear and feel its message, but it strengthens those who sing/play the music.
I know that my testimony of the Savior increases every Christmas Eve, especially during the singing of the carols. As I look into the faces of each of my family members, and friends present, the Spirit testifies that this is the purpose of His Gospel, and the reason why He came: so that we might all have the opportunity to return to Him and be united with those for whom we love and care so much.
He truly is the Prince of Peace and our Redeemer. He came and He lives! As the beloved hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" so aptly teaches and testifies, Jesus Christ is the reason for our hope and joy during the Season, and always:
Light and life to all He brings
http://lds.org/topic/christmas/christmas-resources.html#/music
I think this past week was my turn to post, but preparing for Christmas Eve and Christmas made me lose track of my turn. But I have found something. The talk comes from Elder Merrill J. Bateman, found in the 2001 Ensign, entitled "The Power of Hymns."
http://lds.org/ensign/2001/07/the-power-of-hymns?lang=eng
For me, it wouldn't be Christmas without the festive carols, and sacred hymns of praise and rejoicing. My family comes from a Catholic background; my mother's family from South America and Spain, and my Dad's family from Sicily. For the people of these nationalities, Christmas Eve is almost the more important and sacred day of the two.
As a cultural result, for most all my life, Christmas Eve has been my favorite holiday. We gather as a family at my uncle's house, where we have Argentine asado (bbq) for dinner. Then we talk and have games, and end the night with an hour or so of singing. We start with the fun carols like Jingle Bells and Rudolph, then slowly make our way to the hymns like Joy to the World and Silent Night. We even added a hymn of our own: Bless Us All from the Muppet Christmas Carol. The words are prayer asking for peace and love from our Father in Heaven, and expressing gratitude for the blessing of family.
As Elder Bateman explains, testimony can be shared, and learning can happen through these hymns. The hymns really are musical forms of testimony and prayers. Giving the example of Peter singing a Psalm to the Sanhedrin so that Doctrine might be taught and shared, we learn that singing a hymn carries a sacred responsibility with it. Hymns of praise nourish not just those who hear and feel its message, but it strengthens those who sing/play the music.
I know that my testimony of the Savior increases every Christmas Eve, especially during the singing of the carols. As I look into the faces of each of my family members, and friends present, the Spirit testifies that this is the purpose of His Gospel, and the reason why He came: so that we might all have the opportunity to return to Him and be united with those for whom we love and care so much.
He truly is the Prince of Peace and our Redeemer. He came and He lives! As the beloved hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" so aptly teaches and testifies, Jesus Christ is the reason for our hope and joy during the Season, and always:
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
Merry Christmas! Below is the LDS page with MP3 files to some hymns which mean so much to me this season. May the Spirit bare witness to you of Christ's divinity through the music and words.
http://lds.org/topic/christmas/christmas-resources.html#/music
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Following the doctrine of Christ
I know this isn't Christmas-y...but it is really. The article is, "Rest Unto Your Souls" by Elder Per G. Malm, from the October 2010 Conference issue. It's not a very long one, but the message was powerful. Follow Christ and have peace.
http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/rest-unto-your-souls?lang=eng
I love how he starts by talking about a tree...because trees are so symbolic. I immediately think of the tree of life, the tree in the garden of Eden, how we need to be trees with deep roots, planted on gospel sod. The tree in the garden of Gethsemane, where Christ spent the night, suffering to atone for our sins. To me Christmas is just as much about Christ's Atonement, death, and resurrection as it is about his birth. Ultimately, that's why they waited for the Messiah, the Savior, He came to set us free, to offer us everlasting life and redemption from our sins.
Elder Malm says, "It is through the healing Atonement of Jesus Christ that we may have the strength to stand tall and strong and to have our souls be filled--with light, understanding, joy, and love. His invitation is extended to, 'all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him' (2 Nephi 26:33)"
"To find rest unto our souls includes peace of mind and heart, which is the result of learning and following the doctrine of Christ, and becoming Christ's extended hands in serving and helping others...We can have lasting inner peace; we can enter into the rest of the Lord. Only if we turn away from light and truth will a hollow feeling of emptiness, like the tree's occupy the innermost chambers of our souls, and we even might attempt to fill that emptiness with things of no lasting value."
I think that statement is an extension of all those talks I've heard about choosing the essential over the good...you know, there are so many good thing we can fill ourselves with. Knowledge, I love self help books, and programs...and working out, that's good too, and having friends, and scrapbooking and decorating our houses, and taking our kids to dance class, and making cookies for the neighbors and sending Christmas cards out...and all these things that keep us so busy, so filled up....but with what? Those are all good in their measure...but they are not the things that give us peace of mind and heart... Learning and following the doctrine of Christ and serving in his stead.... I don't know about you all, but very often...the prayer in the morning is rushed...if it's not in the car...the scripture study gets moved down the list. All so I can keep up with all the things I've filled my life with that keep me busy...and very often I don't feel that peace and wonder when I will ever, ever, ever get a rest.
From Matthew 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls"
We get so confused here in this earthly life about what things will bring us peace...how often have I complained about how heavy my yoke is...mine, the one I've created...maybe because I am not lowly of heart...I want to be important sometimes, and I want other people to think well of me....that I do worthy things with my time and am doing a good job carrying my yoke....and you know what...I feel no peace, just that I am never good enough, always got to do more, got to be more, no rest.
Elder Malm says, "In view of our existence as spirit children before we came to earth and immortality in the life hereafter, this earth life is indeed but a very short moment. It is, however, a day of probation, but it is also a day of opportunities when we choose to follow the invitation to not waste the days of our probation. The thoughts that we dwell on inside our minds, the feelings we foster inside our hearts, and the actions we choose to take will all have a determining impact on our lives, both here and in the hereafter. A helpful habit is to lift our vision daily in order to maintain an eternal perspective of the things we plan and do, especially if we detect a tendency to wait until a future tomorrow to do what we know we should pursue while we have our present today."
"What we say, how we act, and how we choose to react will influence not only ourselves but also those around us. We can build up, or we can tear down. When we learn to handle the small and simple daily things in a wise and inspired way, the result is a positive influence that will solidify harmony in our souls and build up and strengthen those around us."
We have such power as women, as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, educators, and caregivers...we can make a huge difference in the lives of all those we come into contact with, if we are filled with that peace, hope and rest that comes only through Jesus Christ.
Elder Malm says, "He has the power to heal and to strengthen the soul. He is Jesus Christ..."
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27
Merry Christmas fellow divas, with love.
http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/rest-unto-your-souls?lang=eng
I love how he starts by talking about a tree...because trees are so symbolic. I immediately think of the tree of life, the tree in the garden of Eden, how we need to be trees with deep roots, planted on gospel sod. The tree in the garden of Gethsemane, where Christ spent the night, suffering to atone for our sins. To me Christmas is just as much about Christ's Atonement, death, and resurrection as it is about his birth. Ultimately, that's why they waited for the Messiah, the Savior, He came to set us free, to offer us everlasting life and redemption from our sins.
Elder Malm says, "It is through the healing Atonement of Jesus Christ that we may have the strength to stand tall and strong and to have our souls be filled--with light, understanding, joy, and love. His invitation is extended to, 'all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him' (2 Nephi 26:33)"
"To find rest unto our souls includes peace of mind and heart, which is the result of learning and following the doctrine of Christ, and becoming Christ's extended hands in serving and helping others...We can have lasting inner peace; we can enter into the rest of the Lord. Only if we turn away from light and truth will a hollow feeling of emptiness, like the tree's occupy the innermost chambers of our souls, and we even might attempt to fill that emptiness with things of no lasting value."
I think that statement is an extension of all those talks I've heard about choosing the essential over the good...you know, there are so many good thing we can fill ourselves with. Knowledge, I love self help books, and programs...and working out, that's good too, and having friends, and scrapbooking and decorating our houses, and taking our kids to dance class, and making cookies for the neighbors and sending Christmas cards out...and all these things that keep us so busy, so filled up....but with what? Those are all good in their measure...but they are not the things that give us peace of mind and heart... Learning and following the doctrine of Christ and serving in his stead.... I don't know about you all, but very often...the prayer in the morning is rushed...if it's not in the car...the scripture study gets moved down the list. All so I can keep up with all the things I've filled my life with that keep me busy...and very often I don't feel that peace and wonder when I will ever, ever, ever get a rest.
From Matthew 11:28-29, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls"
We get so confused here in this earthly life about what things will bring us peace...how often have I complained about how heavy my yoke is...mine, the one I've created...maybe because I am not lowly of heart...I want to be important sometimes, and I want other people to think well of me....that I do worthy things with my time and am doing a good job carrying my yoke....and you know what...I feel no peace, just that I am never good enough, always got to do more, got to be more, no rest.
Elder Malm says, "In view of our existence as spirit children before we came to earth and immortality in the life hereafter, this earth life is indeed but a very short moment. It is, however, a day of probation, but it is also a day of opportunities when we choose to follow the invitation to not waste the days of our probation. The thoughts that we dwell on inside our minds, the feelings we foster inside our hearts, and the actions we choose to take will all have a determining impact on our lives, both here and in the hereafter. A helpful habit is to lift our vision daily in order to maintain an eternal perspective of the things we plan and do, especially if we detect a tendency to wait until a future tomorrow to do what we know we should pursue while we have our present today."
"What we say, how we act, and how we choose to react will influence not only ourselves but also those around us. We can build up, or we can tear down. When we learn to handle the small and simple daily things in a wise and inspired way, the result is a positive influence that will solidify harmony in our souls and build up and strengthen those around us."
We have such power as women, as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, educators, and caregivers...we can make a huge difference in the lives of all those we come into contact with, if we are filled with that peace, hope and rest that comes only through Jesus Christ.
Elder Malm says, "He has the power to heal and to strengthen the soul. He is Jesus Christ..."
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" John 14:27
Merry Christmas fellow divas, with love.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Gifts of the Season
This is a long article this week, but a great way to usher in December: http://lds.org/general-conference/1993/04/gifts?lang=eng&format=conference
From President Monson, it'a all about the gifts of the season. We celebrate, first and foremost, the gift of life over spiritual and physical death that the Christ child brought to each of us as he descended from glory to earth. His birth, life and death are the ultimate gifts. But when we break it down into 4 distinct thoughts, we can better understand the applications to our lives.
1. The gift of birth
2. The gift of peace
3. The gift of love
4. The gift of life eternal.jpg)
With the pregnancy and birth of each of my 4 children, I was reminded again and again of the miraculous power of procreation. It is amazing to know that a little soul and body develop inside. There is glimpses of divine in that power. The power of creation. And because I struggled to conceive with 1 child, I appreciate the gift of birth better. Isaiah talks about the condescension of God in chapter 9: For unto us a a) child is b) born, unto us a c)son is given: and the d)government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, e)Counsellor, The f) mighty gGod, The h) everlasting Father, The Prince of i)peace. There is a loaded statement: a child is innocent, born into earthy clay, given freely by parents. This child is so powerful, that the government of eternity shall be his responsibility, a ruler. Then each name describes a different facet of this child, the babe born in Bethlehem. I challenge you to study each of these names this week. Each is unique. How does it add to your understanding of the Son of God? In my studies, I have gained greater insight to the gift of peace and love that the Christ Child brings to me personally and to the whole wholly. He bring the desired peace we all seek in turmoil and trouble, calming the storm just like he did for His disciples upon the Dead Sea. It was love that compelled Him to condescend to earth and below us all. It is that love that can bouy us up, comfort and protect us as we place our burdens upon his cross. It is only through Him that we can reconcile our shortcomings to gain eternal life.
From President Monson, it'a all about the gifts of the season. We celebrate, first and foremost, the gift of life over spiritual and physical death that the Christ child brought to each of us as he descended from glory to earth. His birth, life and death are the ultimate gifts. But when we break it down into 4 distinct thoughts, we can better understand the applications to our lives.
1. The gift of birth
2. The gift of peace
3. The gift of love
4. The gift of life eternal
.jpg)
With the pregnancy and birth of each of my 4 children, I was reminded again and again of the miraculous power of procreation. It is amazing to know that a little soul and body develop inside. There is glimpses of divine in that power. The power of creation. And because I struggled to conceive with 1 child, I appreciate the gift of birth better. Isaiah talks about the condescension of God in chapter 9: For unto us a a) child is b) born, unto us a c)son is given: and the d)government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, e)Counsellor, The f) mighty gGod, The h) everlasting Father, The Prince of i)peace. There is a loaded statement: a child is innocent, born into earthy clay, given freely by parents. This child is so powerful, that the government of eternity shall be his responsibility, a ruler. Then each name describes a different facet of this child, the babe born in Bethlehem. I challenge you to study each of these names this week. Each is unique. How does it add to your understanding of the Son of God? In my studies, I have gained greater insight to the gift of peace and love that the Christ Child brings to me personally and to the whole wholly. He bring the desired peace we all seek in turmoil and trouble, calming the storm just like he did for His disciples upon the Dead Sea. It was love that compelled Him to condescend to earth and below us all. It is that love that can bouy us up, comfort and protect us as we place our burdens upon his cross. It is only through Him that we can reconcile our shortcomings to gain eternal life.
Pres Monson gave some great stories, as always, with each of these gifts. It is important to understand and remember these gifts from the Lord during Christmas. More importantly: What will you give the Christ child this Christmas? Life is God's gift to man. What we do with that life is our gift to God. A favorite family tradition during Christmas is to fill the manger with straws of kindness to each other through December. Then, on Christmas Eve to place the Christ child in the full manger and give him gifts. These are wrapped gifts thoughtfully given. Sometimes, its been a piano book to work on a talent of music. Other times its been the Book of Mormon as a promise to read it that year. What will you give the Christ child?
Merry Christmas!
Sarena
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