I was approached last Saturday to write a blog post about my personal experiences as a result of The Christmas Devotional. The guidelines were that it could not be any longer than 300 words and should read as if I'm relating my experiences to my family and friends around the kitchen table. The person who contacted me said that there is a chance it won't make it to the website as they are yet evolving. I submitted and thought, "well, if it doesn't make it there, I'd post it to my blog". So, here it is:

This being my first performance in the Christmas Devotional as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a flood of emotions washed over me as we sang the glorious Christmas Hymns.
‘Away in a Manger’ is one of my favorite hymns and the arrangement by Mack Wilberg and the wonderful orchestra at Temple Square just made it even more special.
Richard Elliott’s arrangement of ‘Far Far Away on Judea’s Plains’ was stirring to the soul. Elder Rasbund came up to the loft after the devotional telling us that that arrangement and the wonderful choir and orchestra was the exclamation point to his talk.
Singing ‘Silent Night took’ me back several decades when I was a boy soprano singing in a Christmas Eve Service in an Episcopal Church. I sang the first verse as a solo. It has deep meaning to me as I sang it over the years, but singing it as a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir just brought all the emotions back for me.
I am humbled by my calling and hope that through my contribution to this wonderful organization that hearts will be softened and that people will turn to Christ as the true Shepherd who will give us true peace.



After I wrote that, I though I would expound a bit more. This was the first year with a new format of speakers. Traditionally, it was the First Presidency only speaking. I love the new format - not that I don't enjoy what the First Presidency has to say - it was refreshing to hear Christmas perspectives from others. Sister Wixom made it feel very homey relating stories of children and her personal experiences. Elder Nelson broke new ground with the multimedia additions to his talk which, in my opinion was a plus and kept my attention. His video on the children singing was priceless. My mind reverted back when I was a child and something I did when I was small and not as good as those children:

My Grandmother frequently shopped for Christmas gifts via mail order and kept them unwrapped in their original boxes deep in a closet. And as for stocking stuffer items, she kept unwrapped in another closet. Long story short, I pretty much knew what I was getting for Christmas from her long before Christmas Day.  She kept notes on Christmas gifts, etc. on a tablet - in shorthand. I believe shorthand is a dying, or has died art. Stenographers used it before typewriters were "fashionable". I might have been trying to read the etchings on the plates of Nephi - both netted the same results - not a clue what they said. One "memorable" Christmas morning I remember unwrapping the gifts, knowing what I had already received - I tell you, I probably could have won an Oscar. :) but this particular Christmas morning, she forgot one one of the stocking stuffer items. It was stupid to say and it's one of those "wish I could rewind and erase that" moments. I informed her that she forgot the ties that were on the upper shelf. Talk about mad. I chalk those times to the foibles of youth.

And even, as I'm older and supposedly more mature, I still have my many numerous faults. I chalk those up to the foibles of mortality.  I am grateful for repentance! But, unlike any physical gift I have received, our beloved Savior gave us all the most perfectly wrapped gift. We, who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints know what that gift is. And this Christmas, as our wonderful Prophet, Thomas S. Monson said:
May we give as the Savior gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift. We give as a remembrance of all the Savior has given. May we also give gifts that have eternal value, along with our gifts that eventually break or are forgotten. How much better the world would be if we all gave gifts of understanding and compassion, of service and friendship, of kindness and gentleness.
We who know what we have, what we feel in our hearts, the best gift we can give to others is ourselves. Being examples of righteousness, and by showing our love to our fellow brothers and sisters on this earth. What is that precious gift, so exquisitely wrapped? It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not meant to be kept to be admired and hoarded, but to be shared with others.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,
Yet what can I give Him?
Give my heart.

- Christina Rossetti

Photos: Temple courtesy of  image stock. Conference center courtesy of Deseret news.

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