Of Primary Importance: Childlike Wonder

It’s that wonderful time of year when I get to sing the songs of Christmas with the children at church! We recently began learning a song that invites the children to picture the sacred scene of the very first Christmas:

Listen here

As I began explaining the story of the first Christmas, I was surprised to see one of the 4-year-olds become quite distressed. “Wait!” he called out, “Why did they put Baby Jesus in a place where the wild animals could get him?” Another girl piped up, “Yeah! Was Mary worried that the animals might accidentally eat him?”

My first reaction was to laugh to myself and realize I needed to explain the story a little better for my young friends who weren’t familiar with it. But as I thought about the little boy’s question over the next few days, a new question began to form in my own mind: When was the last time I had “pictured a Christmas”—really pictured it? When was the last time I had really pondered with childlike wonder and innocence the miracle that was Christ’s birth?

Christmastime has been a season of wonder for ages, and this is perhaps especially true of the first Christmas.  Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and wise men all wondered at the holy baby in their midst and the life he would live.

When the angel visited the shepherds to deliver the message of the Savior’s birth, “the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid” (Luke 2:9-15). The angel told them to “Fear not,” and the shepherds joyfully shared the miraculous message with everyone they could. “And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:17-18).



Although the wise men were not visited by angelic messengers, they wondered and sought after the Christ and rejoiced when they found him.

“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him” (Matthew 2:10-11).

When Simeon prophesied that Jesus would be “a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel,” Joseph and Mary “marveled at those things which were spoken of” the new baby (Luke 2:28-33).

Mary must have marveled that she would bear and raise the child who would grow to be the Good Shepherd and the means of bringing salvation to the world. She was amazed that God had “regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed” (Luke 1:47-48). As miracles unfolded, she “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).



Picture the little baby Jesus.
 Think of his life and words so dear.

I think that maybe the shepherds, wise men, Mary, and Joseph wondered not so much at the baby that was born, but at what he would become. Former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.”

This is the wondrous and true story of Christmas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea is preface. The three-year ministry of the Master is prologue. The magnificent substance of the story is His sacrifice, the totally selfless act of dying in pain on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of all of us.

The epilogue is the miracle of the Resurrection, bringing the assurance that “as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22).¹

At the end of his mortal life, Christ proclaimed, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:37).



So in this season of excitement and stress and joy, may we remember to think of Christ’s life and words. In this season of remembering the Holy Child, may we recapture a little bit of childlike innocence and wonder at the miracle. May we sing praise to Him and remember Him as we picture Christmas this year.

Posted by Shellie

1. Past President of the Church Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas,” December 2000 Ensign

Continue

Silent Night: Finding Christ through Music

What traditions invite Christ into your home for Christmas? 
Guest blogger Kristy shares her family's music filled traditions.

“Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.  Round yon virgin, mother and child, Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in Heavenly peace, sleep in Heavenly peace.”¹ The Christmas season has always been my most favorite time of the year.  I look forward to it all year long!!  I am one who starts putting up decorations much earlier than many would deem appropriate and playing Christmas music only in December is just not nearly enough time for me!!  Our family has so many wonderful holiday traditions that bind our family together and help us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. We have found that our most memorable Christmas seasons are those centered on the Savior and when we can feel the Spirit with us. 

Music has always been a large part of our Christmas celebration.  One of our children’s earliest memories is listening to my grandmother playing Silent Night on her violin on Christmas Eve.  The music was so beautiful and the spirit so strong that not a child stirred as she played.  Music continues to be a large part of our Christmas Eve celebration.  Each year after dinner we all gather in my parent’s living room and each of the grandchildren sing a carol or play a song on the piano or other instrument.  The “Talent Show” gets better each year and brings such a warm spirit into the room.  After the performance we all sing a few carols together to get warmed up for our traditional caroling to a few of the neighbors.  We have a specific few we visit each year. 

Another favorite tradition of our family is to go to the Washington DC Temple and see the amazing light display and attend one of the nightly concerts in the Visitor’s Center.  Each year the lights seem more beautiful than the previous year.  There is such a peaceful spirit at the Temple and our visit there helps us to focus on the Savior as we celebrate his birth.

Music has a way to touch our souls and inspire us that the spoken word alone cannot do.  As our children have had the opportunity to sing in Church or perform with various school and church choirs we have seen the powerful impact that music has had on their testimonies.  They have been able to feel of our Savior’s love as they sing hymns and other sacred pieces.  I think of the many times I have sat and listened to Christmas Carols and the joy and peace it has brought to me.

Music has always been and will always be a major part of our Christmas traditions.  It brings us closer to our Savior.  The beautiful words and melodies serve to remind us of His birth and the example of pure love he has provided for us.

“Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight.  Glories stream from heaven afar.  Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior is born.  Christ, the Savior is born.”¹

Reference:

1. Hymn, “Silent Night”

By Guest Blogger: Kristy

Continue

Of Primary Importance: I Will Go; I Will Do!

Because the LDS Church does not have paid clergy, the members are asked to serve each other. Everyone from our bishop to the nursery teachers serves voluntarily and without pay.

Although we serve voluntarily, sometimes we're asked to serve in ways we never would have dreamed of volunteering for ourselves.

About a year ago, I was happily serving as the Webelos Den Assistant for our congregation's Cub Scout pack, performing science experiments and playing marbles, all in the name of helping the boys earn activity badges. Until one day, when a leader of our congregation asked me to serve instead as the Primary chorister--the music leader for the children ages 18 months to 11 years. In a moment of panic, several memories raced through my mind:

1. The one time in my life I almost didn't escape singing in front of other people: second grade music class when everyone had to take a turn singing a solo--even if you didn't want to. The very thought was petrifying to my 8-year-old self, and so when the teacher asked if she had missed anybody, I didn't raise my hand. Miraculously, she didn't notice that she had skipped me, and I was spared the humiliation. (I probably shouldn't even be telling this story on a Mormon blog, since honesty is one of our basic tenets, but to me it seemed a modern-day miracle.)
2. And the only previous experience I'd had teaching children to sing, which was a first-grade holiday program. It succeeded only thanks to my fellow teachers and quite in spite of my ineptitude.
   
   

And so I asked my leader if he was sure he had the right person. You see, although I love music, I prefer to enjoy it from behind the piano or in the orchestra pit. And anyone who's heard me sing probably prefers that I enjoy it from there, too.

But the next thought that came to my mind was part of a song I had learned from my Primary music leader years ago:

I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands.
I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.
(Listen to or read the full song here)

So I accepted the invitation to serve in a way that seemed totally outside the realm of my abilities. And now, one year later I know it was the right choice.

Have I miraculously become a better singer?  Ha, certainly not. The kids can attest to this fact. They still like to point out that "we can't hear you!" anytime I try to sing a line of a song by myself. Am I now comfortable singing by myself in front of others?  Well, maybe I'm not as petrified as I used to be, but only if none of my audience is more than 11 years old.

But what I have gained is an opportunity to again use the skills and creativity I learned by being an elementary school teacher. I've gained a multitude of new little friends, whom I have grown to love more and more as I've served them and as they squeal my name or wave shyly when we pass in the hallway at church.



And perhaps, best of all, I've gained the chance to learn and relearn the beautiful songs of the Primary Children's Songbook. They teach, in the most basic terms, what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about.

The songs explain our beliefs about life in heaven; about prayer, thankfulness, and reverence; about the mission of the Savior; about the principles of the gospel; about the importance of home, family, and heritage; about the beauty of nature and the seasons; and about the need for fun and activity. (from Preface to the Children's Songbook)

Want to know what the song the kids and I worked on first?  It goes like this:

I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands.
I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.

For an infographic about our lay ministry, click here
Children's Songbook Cover source

Published by Shellie

Continue