Last week, we were privileged to share the stage with the Sesame Street Muppets and Santino Fontana for our annual Christmas Concert. There was a definite buzz of excitement as the guests were announced a couple months ago. And last week it culminated in one of the most memorable concerts I've witnessed. The puppeteers were excited and honored to be a part of the concert. They were very professional, and could ad-lib on the spot. Lots of laughter and smiles were to be seen in the packed Conference Center. That's 84,000 people!

* Warning - this blog post gives some spoiler alerts for those that didn't get to see the show and are waiting for the DVD to come out next year. You have been warned! :)

The storyline was cute, and well scripted. Between the dialog and singing, it went off very well, and had rave reviews. It will be one to beat. :) As I thought about the the show, I couldn't help but draw some gospel parallels to some the of the things that happened. Let me elaborate:


  • In the very beginning of the show, Mack Wilberg was conversing with Big Bird, where he said that the Muppets always same joy and good cheer. The gospel is on the earth to share that same joy and good cheer. We have the ability to share the light of the gospel in so many ways such as social media, blogging, a smile, a helping hand. All of these are easy ways of becoming a missionary for the church. "...by [your] fruits [they] shall know you..."
  • Right after that, the Muppets were asked by Mack Wilberg what they would like to do in the show. Abby and Rosita wanted to sing in the choir. Bert and Ernie wanted to work behind the scenes, Grover wanted to be a show producer, and Big bird was undecided but he'd think of something. We all have talents that the Lord has given us. To some it is speaking, to some singing, to some technical, etc. We can all contribute to the world (the show) by using our God-given talents to help in the cause of Zion.
  • I didn't mention the Cookie Monster above because he deserves his own points. His goal in the show was to find cookies. And the story-line revolved around that. Several times the the other Muppets tried to show him that there is MORE to Christmas than cookies, but he couldn't see it. His desire for a cookie was paramount in his mind. Sometimes, we only have one thing in mind and cannot see the other things because we are "blinded". Our insatiable desire for something, or some cause gets in our way. We have our leaders who try to show us that there is MORE to life than the one things that we desire. More on Cookie Monster later. :)
  • Elmo was searching for MORE what Christmas has to offer. He assumed the role of a reporter searching for MORE. He was always excited when he discovered new things in "the neighborhood". He loves to learn about the new things that the contribute to MORE Christmas. From the Clarinetist, the dancer, and the choir. The Glory of God is intelligence. Whatever we attain in this life will rise with us in the world after. As we learn MORE, we can use those things to help us and others along their mortal path.
  • Big Bird finally knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to be a director like Mack Wilberg. Mack told Big Bird that directing was more than waving a stick, it was something that is felt in the heart. He lead the choir and was very happy. Being a member missionary is more than just opening your mouth. One has to have the desire to do it. "...If ye have a desire, ye are called to the work already.."
  • Ernie wanted to give something to help in the MORE Christmas spirit. He lead Bert (unknowlingly until the end) onto the stage and wanted Bert to sing. Bert was scared because his voice was not of a caliber like the choir. But Ernie and and Santino convinced him its okay. And they sang in front of the the 84,000 people. This was a touching moment for me (cue the tears). Many times we feel unqualified to do things we are asked to do. Whether it be in our callings or work. But with the encouragement and show of support from others, we can do those things. "I can do all things through the Lord...." I am always touched when I hear our prophet thanking us for our prayers and support for him. He is buoyed by those sustainings and prayers.
  • Abby and Rosita were in dialog and were thrilled, but scared to be in front of the choir. They were worried that their voices were, as Bert suggested, not good enough for singing with the choir. Through Katie Bastian's  encouragement and telling them it matters not , just as long as they do their best, and giving them encouragement as they sang, that they do, in fact have wonderful voices; they sang with the choir. Abby and Rosita wanted to be able to keep the feelings that they felt with them, but were afraid that they would lose those feelings. Another tear-jerker moment as Katie reminded them and all of us that we can "Keep Christmas with us all through the year". The feelings that we feel can surely kept and shared all through the year. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a Sunday-only religion. The feelings that we feel on Sunday though the lessons, music, and testimonies don't stop as we leave the chapel doors. We can keep those feelings going strong daily by scripture study, prayer, and even sharing what we have learned with a non-member or less-active member. The best way to learn something is to put into practice what we have learned.
  • Finally, Cookie Monster after searching all through the show for cookies was very depressed that he couldn't find any. Once again, through encouragement and song he was shown that there actually might be MORE to Christmas than concentrating on himself. As the baker danced out with a plate of cookies, he was elated to finally get his cookie, but his desire was to share them with others. Santino told him that by him sharing his cookies, he won't have a lot left for himself. But he was fine with that as he discovered for himself that that sharing and giving was his answer to MORE Christmas. As was mentioned above, we go through life with trials. Some of them are self-inflicted trials, where we cannot see the "big picture" and only can see ourselves. Only when we see the joy the gospel brings into our lives, we as Lehi "...desire others to come and partake of the fruit.." We learn through our trials and can share the experiences with others in hopes that they will heed and not follow the same path and consequences that we we discovered and had to bear. Our Father in Heaven can see the "big picture" of our lives, where we can only see where we have been, and where we are right now. He sees the divine potential in all of of. He sent His only-begotten Son on the earth as a child to experience mortality - and and and suffering. But He did it all for us. "Send Me, and the glory be Thine..." Worthy [indeed] is the Lamb that was slain!
This Christmas, may we look for MORE:
  • More Forgiveness
  • More joy
  • More sharing
  • More Christ-like love
And as we strive to so these things, we can keep the joy of the gospel in our hearts all through the years. Merry CHRISTmas!




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