Christmas Sunday

Last Sunday at church we had a musical program. It's become a tradition that on the Sunday before Christmas, the bishop asks several members of the congregation to speak briefly about a favorite Christmas song. After each speaker, the congregation sings the song the speaker chose. I love hearing the reasons people choose various songs, and I love the extra singing.

This year, instead of asking for Christmas songs specifically, the bishop just asked for songs about the Savior. We ended up with a great mix of hymns that expressed the speakers' love for Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful way to get our hearts ready for Christmas. Here are a few words from each of the songs.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King!

I believe in Christ; oh, blessed name!
As Mary's Son he came to reign
'Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.

I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

He overcometh all.
He saveth from the Fall.
His might and power are great.
He all things did create.
And he shall reign forevermore.

And our eyes at last shall see him,
Through his own redeeming love;
For that child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in heaven above.

The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength.
I know in his might I'll conquer at length.
My weakness in mercy he covers with power,
And, walking by faith, I am blest every hour.

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth;
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Have a joyful Christmas!

Poetry 4

This is another favorite. Short but beautiful.

Sermon Without Words
by Elizabeth Patton Moss

Saint Francis came to preach. With smiles he met
The friendless, fed the poor, freed a trapped bird,
Led home a child. Although he spoke no word,
His text, God's love, the town did not forget.

Miracles of all sizes

Yesterday around 6 AM I was on my way to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple to be part of the very first shift of ushers for the public tours. There were 6 of us traveling together, since one of the men had offered to drive us in his 12-passenger van. We were headed down a highway when out of nowhere a deer came running across the road. I barely caught a glimpse of it before the van slammed right into it.

The airbags deployed. The van swerved. Somehow the driver was able to get us over to the shoulder of the road and stop. We could hardly believe what had happened -- it was over in seconds.

After a moment we all got out. The two men went back down the road, picking up pieces of the van and confirming that the deer was off the road. The van's front end was demolished and liquid was pouring out of the radiator. The owners of the van started making the necessary phone calls to insurance, towing company, and a relative to come and help. Amazingly, it appeared that nobody was hurt. (Except the deer, unfortunately, but we couldn't do anything about that.)

About three minutes later, a vehicle pulled over. It was another lady from our ward who was on her way to the same assignment. The van owners told the rest of us to go on with her. We agreed, although we felt bad for this couple having to miss helping at the temple, which they had really been looking forward to.

The rest of us got to the temple and did our training. Just before we were to start our shifts, we looked over and saw that this couple had arrived! Their son had come with a truck and towed the van to their home, and they had driven their other vehicle to the temple in time to participate.

I'm sure someone could point at what happened that morning and say it was just coincidence, but I believe otherwise. Probably all or most of us had prayed that morning for safe travel. All of us were eager to volunteer our time to help at the temple, the Lord's house. These things don't always prevent disaster, but this time we were blessed with miracles. None of us was injured. We didn't cause anyone else on the road to have an accident. Help arrived quickly. None of us had to miss the opportunity to serve at the temple.

And it's a beautiful temple. Make sure you tour it if you can. The open house runs from June 1 to August 1. Reservations are required, but they're easy to arrange here.