Christmas Eve Service Takes On New Meaning

8:00 am on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve this year our family participated in a different kind of “Church Service”. Apparently, a few months back Mr. MoSop signed us all up for the weekly wardhouse cleaning detail. He felt it would be “a great chance for us to give a gift to Jesus on Christmas”. This blog post gives the lowdown on our non-traditional Christmas “gift-giving” experience – with a few “tips” thrown in for future participants. Continue reading

Nativity Collection Shares Peace, Goodwill

My Friend Nola

Every year in November my friend Nola Child begins to unwrap her Christmas treasures and transform her home into a sacred museum, of sorts. It takes Nola over a week of full-time effort to get everything into place. That’s because Nola owns over 600 nativity scenes from around the world (although, I’ve heard the unofficial number might be closer to 700). The pieces range from nearly life-sized down to the size of a thimble, and everything in-between.  Continue reading

Silent Night Gets A Fresh Take

Jake Justice and Amy Whitcomb recording Silent Night - used with permission

Jake Justice and Amy Whitcomb may be young, but they are already making a name for themselves in the competitive music industry. The two talented Mormon artists recently collaborated on a new recording of “Silent Night” which I am pleased to share with you today. Continue reading

Welcome Christmas! Pull Up A Chair

A Christmas tree inside a home.

Image via Wikipedia

Hello Christmas! You look so beautiful, and not even a day older, this year! Won’t you please come in and stay awhile? I’m sorry I’ve been rushing around so much lately I haven’t paused to spent more quality time with you. I know you can’t stay long, and your presence always fills my heart and home with such a special feeling!

I recently noticed that over the past 4 years of blogging, I’ve written more during the months of November and December than any other time. You, Christmas, inspire me! Some of the older posts are getting attention and traffic all on their own through search engines, or chance, but many readers may not be aware of some of the fun Christmas posts from the past. So, I would like to welcome all of my dear readers to come sit a while with me and Christmas. Whatever time you have to spare, here are a few of my favorite topics of conversation: Continue reading

Carol Of The Bells and Cellos

Confession time. There are a few Christmas songs I don’t particularly care for. Take Carol of The Bells, for instance, which usually scrapes along the edge of my nerves like a dull razor. The song is merciless for any singer with articulation problems, or any listener who prefers their music to stay on pitch. And, don’t even get me started with all of the painful High School Choir concert renditions I’ve been forced to sit through…”ding, dong, dinng, doonnnnng”…But, I digress. Enter cellist extraordinaire Steven Sharp Nelson and the magic elves with The irresistible Piano Guys (all classically trained Mormon musicians). They have just redeemed this poor carol from its drudgery status and demonstrated to the world how truly brilliant it can be!  Continue reading

The Magnificat, Mary and Elisabeth In Film

courtesy lds.org Free Domain

A new series of Bible videos created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are being produced and offered free of charge to the public. The video series debuted this month with a stunningly beautiful depiction of The Christmas Story, Continue reading

The Most WONDERFUL Time Of The Year

English: Dwight McCann, http://dwightmccann.co...

Mathis: Image via Wikipedia

The distinctive voice of Johnny Mathis crooned through my radio, declaring “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!” The popular Christmas song went on to list exactly what makes it so wonderful, such as holiday greetings, being with loved ones, caroling, “parties for hosting”, and even “marshmallows for toasting” Continue reading

Sabbath of Service in Bountiful

Sabbath Cleanup in Bountiful, Utah

It’s been a “beautiful day in the neighborhood”! Bountiful residents were out in force on Sunday helping their neighbors clean up from Thursday’s big windstorm. We were also gearing up and “battening down the hatches” in preparation for a second storm predicted to hit tonight with 70+ mph winds. All sabbath services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern Utah were shortened to a one-hour sacrament meeting. Then members were sent Continue reading

The First Christmas Song

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Image via Wikipedia

Today I am sharing a beautiful Christmas song written by Julie and Darwin Wolford which was published in the LDS Church New Era Magazine, December 1991.
 
1. The earth was bathed in clean, pure light,
As heavenward the star burned bright,
A sign from God to men on earth
To tell the world of Jesus’ birth. Continue reading