This is the Christmas program I wrote for today's Sacrament Meeting. We used this choir book and this hymnal. Our theme was inspired by this beautiful book. Due to the skills of our lovely reader, Lael Littke, our brilliant organist, Janet Smith, and the stalwart choir under the direction of my spectacular husband, I think it was our best program ever.
Jules Bastien-LePage, The Annunciation to the Shepherds, 1875
Congregation: #212 “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains”
The Gospel is rich with symbols, and at no time are they more abundant than at Christmas time. The purpose of symbols is to enlarge our understanding and help us to see patterns and relationships. Symbols are the sign language of faith.
Many of our favorite Christmas symbols teach us about Jesus Christ, His merits and mercy, His condescension and His atonement. But we can find meaning in even the most secular of symbols; we can see Christ and the Father’s plan of happiness all around us, if we only take a moment to look and contemplate. A kind, immortal, bearded man who brings gifts to all the world and has a special love of children. Bells that herald the coming of priests and the call to worship. The diversity and uniqueness of a snowflake, each of countless known to God. We invite you now to ponder some of the most powerful symbols of Christmas, for as Moses writes, “all things bear record” of the Lord.
Primary Choir: “All Things Testify of Jesus Christ”
The holly plant has been a symbol of both Christ’s birth and death for centuries. Its leaves stay green throughout the darkest, coldest winter, and its thorns represent the crown of thorns the Savior wore at his crucifixion. The holly berries also point to Jesus and the reasons He came into the world. We celebrate the birth of a baby because of what that baby will become and do: live a perfect life, then work out an infinite Atonement for each and every one of us. For “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Choir: “Sans Day Carol”
Congregation: #209 “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
Every year at this time, we decorate our houses with evergreen wreaths, garlands, and fir trees. Throughout the Christian world, the evergreen tree symbolizes the Savior, growing and fragrant seemingly eternally. Alma tells us a parable about such a tree, teaching, “But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beignets to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.”
But Lehi saw another tree that represented the love of God and the condescension of Christ—the tree of life, laden with sweet, delicious fruit.
Quartet: “Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree”
Prophets from Abraham to John the Revelator link Christ to the image of the star. Job asked, “Is not God in the height of the heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are.” Shining in the night sky, stars are guiding lights through the darkness, helping those with eyes to see to navigate their journeys. We sing of one particular star that led believers to the birthplace of the Savior. “And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
Choir: “Star Carol”
Congregation: #201 “Joy to the World”
Before the modern hybrids we have now, the rose blossom had only five petals. For early Christians, this simple, humble flower brought to mind both Jesus and his mother, Mary. The petals stood for the five wounds of Christ; its pure white color spoke of purity of both mother and child. Its fragrance and hardiness represented Jesus’ generosity and His long-suffering. But the rose also represents the kingdom of God on the earth. Isaiah foretells that, when the Lord begins to gather and restore His people, “the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.”
Choir: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
One of the sweetest visions of Christmas is that of Mary nurturing her newborn Child. We can imagine her devotion and sense of wonder whenever we see a mother with a new baby. But Isaiah repeatedly reminds us that Jesus’ love for us is more perfect and full than that of even the most mindful of parents. Our Lord would gather us as a hen gathers chicks; he calls after us as softly and tenderly as a lullaby.
Choir: “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”
Congregation: #204 “Silent Night”
It’s not enough for us to hear and accept the good news of the Savior come to earth; we must do something about it. President Hinckley said, “As [Christ’s] followers, we cannot do a mean or shoddy or ungracious thing without tarnishing His image. Nor can we do a good and gracious and generous act without burnishing more brightly the symbol of Him whose name we have taken upon ourselves. And so our lives must become a meaningful expression, the symbol of our declaration of our testimony of the Living Christ, the Eternal Son of the Living God.”
Wenceslas, the compassionate ruler, is an emblem of Christian faith in action. He ventures out in a terrible storm to bring food, drink, and light to a poor peasant family. The servant who accompanies him struggles and nearly freezes to death in the forest wilderness—until he walks in the footsteps of his master. When the storms of life rage around us, we, too, can find refuge in following our Master’s steps—especially when we unselfishly follow James’s admonition to take care of the widows and fatherless wherever they may be.
Choir: “Good King Wenceslas”
Bishop’s Remarks
Closing Hymn: #202 “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful”