Last fall I was called to be the ward choir director, and on Christmas Eve we had a beautiful program in Sacrament Meeting. I had no idea just how much work these programs are! I started looking at music and thinking about the program in September. It was interesting and special how it all came together. The songs came first. I printed out several songs that I liked and played through them several times, and with each song that I chose there was a feeling that they were right. In particular when I found the music for Come Lord Jesus to the Manger, I heard/felt a voice say, "Yes, this is what I want, and I want the youth to sing it." Once I had the songs picked, I put a lot of thought into the narration. I wasn't even sure if we should have a narration or if I should just ask the bishop to find some talks or something, and once I decided to write a narration I had to figure out what it should be. Initially I was just going to have scriptures and quotes from some First Presidency Christmas devotionals, but in the end I added some thoughts of my own that I felt were important and helped the program flow. A brother in our ward who is from England (and has a great accent) agreed to read the narration and did a beautiful job. I really feel that over time everything in this program was given to me from Heavenly Father through the Spirit. I agonized a lot over it, but I think the end result was what God wanted for our ward. I really had no idea how our choir was going to sound because every rehearsal seemed to be a slightly different group, but we had a nice big group with a beautiful sound. I couldn't stop smiling because they did such a great job.
Here is the program, for those interested. I've added links to the sheet music and Christmas devotional talks if you're interested in reading through or playing those.
Steven’s Creek Ward
Christmas Program 2017
God’s children have rejoiced in the coming of Jesus Christ
since before the world was. Joseph Smith taught that Christ was chosen at the
Council in Heaven when we were taught the Plan of Salvation, “and all the sons
of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:7)
Isaiah said: “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)
Samuel, the Lamanite prophet, prophesied that Christ would
come within five years, and those who believed eagerly anticipated the sign of
His birth. “But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night
and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they
might know that their faith had not been vain.” (3 Nephi 1:8)
Youth Choir: Come Lord Jesus to the Manger (From the Church production of Savior of the World: His Birth and Resurrection--this was directed by one of the Young Women leaders. She wrote a harmony part and another sister wrote a flute obligato. It was so beautiful and powerful!)
Finally, the long-anticipated day of the Savior’s birth
arrived.
“Lift up your head and be of good cheer;” the Lord told the
prophet Nephi, “for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the
sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world
that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my
holy prophets . . . And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi
were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going
down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished
because there was no darkness when the night came.” (1 Nephi 1:13,15)
Mary was the first to rejoice at the birth of our Savior.
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that
she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped
him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.” (Luke 2:6-7) Months before
she had been told by angel that she was highly favored and would miraculously
give birth to the Son of God. We can imagine the peace and love she felt when
the time finally arrived and she held that pure child in her arms, knowing that
He had come to save us all.
Choir: Soft and Pure (Raymond D. Cook--music is on this list)
Many others rejoiced that day, including the angels in
Heaven! Dieter F. Uchtdorf said: “When Jesus was born, the joy in heaven was so
great it could not be contained, and angelic hosts parted the veil, proclaiming
unto shepherds ‘good tidings of great joy, … praising God, and saying, Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” (
Seeing Christmas Through New Eyes)
“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them
into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made
known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the
babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:15-16)
President Uchtdorf continued: “Rejoice in the birth of our
Savior. We celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the Creator, our Messiah. We
rejoice that the King of kings came to earth, was born in a manger, and lived a
perfect life . . . It is only fitting that we—like the Wise Men, shepherds, and
angels—take time to rejoice and celebrate that glorious first Christmas Day.”
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Seeing Christmas Through New Eyes)
“Christ was born for this: Christ was born to save.” This is
the reason for the birth! He came to save us all from our sins.
Thomas S. Monson said:
“Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to
follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in
our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed,
stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.
“Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.
“Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in
trouble or distress, wherever they may be.
“Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its
victory. We will live again because He came.
“Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity
to gain eternal life.” (
Because He Came)
Prophets and saints since before the foundations of the
world have anticipated and rejoiced in Christ’s birth. Mary and Joseph, angels
and shepherds, wise men and Nephites rejoiced at His birth. All knew that
Christ had come to pay for our sins and bring about our resurrection and
eternal life. Today, we too should ponder what His birth means to us. We should
also remember that He will come again!
President Uchtdorf said: “Look steadfastly for His coming .
. . While the Christmas season is typically a time for looking back and
celebrating the birth of our Lord, it seems to me that it should also be a time
of looking to the future. Let us look forward. Let us prepare for that blessed
day when He will come again. Let us be as wise as those ancients who watched
for His coming. As His disciples, let us have in our hearts and minds the words
of John: ‘Even so, come, Lord Jesus.’” (Seeing Christmas Through New Eyes)
Congregation: Joy to the World
