Monday Morning Boost: The Gift of Christmas Music
I started out my Christmas musical journey a couple of weeks ago listening to the music of the “Forgotten Carols.”
The story, year after year, captivates my heart, the music and lyrics transporting me closer to the true meaning of Christmas inviting me to “Let Him In.”
The Forgotten Carols is the story of Connie Lou, a nurse whose journey through life had left her bitter and empty. Devoid of any kind of merry feelings at Christmas time, which she felt “lasted a bit too long.”
Connie Lou’s empty life is changed when “Uncle John, a new patient she is attending, recounts the story of Christ’s birth as told by little known characters in the nativity story. The accounts from the Innkeeper, the Shepherd and others help the nurse discover what the world has forgotten about Christmas, ultimately encouraging her to open her heart to the joy of this special season.”
I especially love the beautiful story told in the Forgotten Carol “Joseph’s Song.”
It connects with me as a father.
THE GIFT OF OUR OWN FORGOTTEN CAROL
I believe we each may have the gift of our own “forgotten carol,” a little-known story hidden deep inside our heart.
Perhaps your story is one of joy and happiness mixed with a dose of real-life hardship and sadness thrown in for good measure.
Or maybe your journey has been the opposite, full of hardship and sadness with only occasional sprinkles of happiness drizzling their way into your life.
Such as your journey may be, I promise your “carol” is not forgotten by He whose birth we celebrate.
Perhaps music may be for you, as it has long been for me, a gift to help you better enjoy the Christmas journey.
THE GIFT OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS
I love a white Christmas, and I’m loving the wet snow that started showing up yesterday in Cache Valley.
I also love Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” This beloved musical has a special place in my heart as it touches on the difficult transition of soldiers coming home from war.
I’m excited to see it performed live tonight by the Four Seasons Theatre Company here in Cache Valley. The performance opened over the weekend and continues tonight and Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Sky View High School.
Tickets are just $10, and they are offering a 20% discount for veterans. Click the link for details.
THE GIFT OF A CELTIC WOMAN
One of the most beautiful Gifts of Music is Alex Sharpe.
A former lead singer for the internationally famous Celtic Women, Alex brought her magical voice all the way from Ireland to grace the Brigham City Tabernacle as part of the Christmas Music Spectacular.
Alex’s music has been a tender companion for Elisa over the last few months she spent caring for her mom and now dealing with the pain of her loss.
“I am grateful,” Elisa shared, “for this beautiful tender mercy of being led to such beautiful music at a time when I really needed it.”
Such is the Gift of Music.
It can transport and entertain, energize and calm, inspire and uplift, and help us heal.
Sometimes, when the story and music connect in the right way at the right moment, the Gift of Music can touch our soul.
Such is the case when Alex sing’s “Breath of Heaven.”
Breath of Heaven is a touching story of Mother Mary, “who [had] traveled many moonless nights / Cold and weary with a babe inside.”
I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now
Be with me now
Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven
Though she questions “if a wiser one should have had [her] place,” she offers “all I am” as she pleads with the Father, “Help me be strong.”
THE GIFT OF LOVE
Connie Lou had a change of heart, so much so she “cried when they took the tree down.”
Though General Waverly in White Christmas did think Bob and Phil were “any good as privates,” he discovers they were pretty good at helping a put-out-to-pasture general feel a whole lot better again.
Mary pleaded for help and a “Breath of Heaven” lightened her darkness.
The Gift of Music at Christmas is really the Gift of Love.
May that same Breath of Heaven lighten your load as it lights your journey forward.
Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share.
Merry Christmas!
Les
p.s. Take 13 minutes today to discover and enjoy the Gift of Music and feel the Gift of Love.
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