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
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