Throughout Christendom, Christmas is the time of year when hearts and minds join in the celebration of the glorious birth of the Savior of the World – the Lord Jesus Christ. It is that most wonderful time of year, when as Laura Ingalls Wilder described it, “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” Someone has also wisely stated, “It is the spirit of brotherhood in the cheer of Christmas that makes it so glorious. Brotherliness is but the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ.”
Nothing invites the spirit of Christmas more than the joyful, melodious sounds of Christmas music permeating the air and generating feelings of good will toward all men. Whose heart cannot but be filled with cheer and gladness when they hear such rousing lyrics as those of the fourth verse of the Christmas classic “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” being sung:
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
The immortal words from Charles Dickens’ timeless classic “Christmas Carol” ring true especially at this season of the year. He wrote, “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when the creator was a child himself.” As we allow the little child in us to shine forth, and as we celebrate the birth of the Savior of mankind, here are a few selections that might be added to our Christmas music library to help remind us of the true meaning of the season:
Gentri – The Gentlemen’s Trio
Gentri, the Gentlemen’s trio established in June 2014, comprised of distinguished tenors Brad Robins, Casey Elliott, and Bradley Quinn Lever, have released a special three-song Christmas EP. Included on the album are the Christmas classics “Silent Night,” “Ave Maria,” and a unique medley of “What Child Is This?” and “I Wonder as I Wander.”
Keep Christmas with You – The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Muppets®
The world renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square are joined by the loveable characters, the Muppets® from Sesame Street®, along with special guest vocalist, Santino Fontana (the voice of Prince Hans in the popular Disney movie Frozen), for a celebration of the spirit of Christmas. Highlights of the live performance included a duet with the Count and the Choir’s organist, Richard Elliott, to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” a medley of songs from Sesame Street®, and the ever popular “Keep Christmas With You.”
Mercy River Presents Classic Christmas Songs
LDS Living.com states, “Mercy River takes us on a journey throughout the album, from the feeling of a hushed winter’s evening on “Still, Still, Still” to the upbeat celebration of the season on “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Tracks on the album include “Silent Night,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” and the deeply moving song “Real,” by Nichole Nordeman. This album is sure to help the listener focus on the Savior and the true meaning of Christmas.
Michael McLean – Encountering Jesus
Michael McLean whose musical legacy has not only resonated in the hearts of thousands, but continues to be a standard for those seeking meaning and peace, takes the listener on a journey through the New Testament with an album that he has produced that consists of a collection of stories about the Savior told from the perspective of different characters who walked and talked with Jesus while He was on the earth. LDS Living.com states, “This album lifts people up and points them to the Savior through the stories that we hold most dear.”
BYU Vocal Point – He Is Born
BYU Vocal Point, the nine-man a cappella sensation, present their debut Christmas album featuring songs such as “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,” “Sleigh Ride,” and more. This album is guaranteed to become a family favorite for years to come.
As you listen to these selections, as well as the many other songs that are sung during the blessed season of the year, and as you reflect upon the life of the Savior, it is hoped that you will be blessed with the wondrous spirit of Christmas and will realize the true meaning of, and purpose for, celebrating Christmas. In the words of the immortal Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone!” Merry Christmas!
