We all know that Christ was actually born during lambing season in the Spring. We also know that His crucifixion and resurrection happened in the Spring. So, why then couldn't some "Christmas" songs also be used for Easter?
Yesterday, the Relief Society teacher at Church asked the class "if there was ever a time in your life when you were both a 'Mary' and a 'Martha.' A Mary because you needed time to be taught by and feel the love of the the Savior, a Martha because you also needed to be of service to those around you."
I immediately thought back to a time in my life when I desperately wanted to feel the Savior's love and be strengthened. One night, all of my children got the stomach flu in the same 24 hour period. Somehow I was spared so that I could care for them. But it was not fun. I brought them all down to the family room where I could pass the bucket easier and also monitor their needs. During that tense and sleepless night, I desperately wanted to be a Mary, but needed to be a Martha and serve my family.
I immediately thought back to a time in my life when I desperately wanted to feel the Savior's love and be strengthened. One night, all of my children got the stomach flu in the same 24 hour period. Somehow I was spared so that I could care for them. But it was not fun. I brought them all down to the family room where I could pass the bucket easier and also monitor their needs. During that tense and sleepless night, I desperately wanted to be a Mary, but needed to be a Martha and serve my family.
In between bouts of rushing around and cleaning up messes, I realized that I could take a minute and look out the window. I pondered the beautiful sky. The stars were brightly shining against the ink-black darkness. Somehow, amidst all of the chaos happening around me, I was able to hear the strains of a beautiful sacred song forming in my mind. In the music, I was transported to the hills of Judea on the night of Christ's birth. I saw the angel make the announcement to the shepherds. I heard the joyful singing of the angels as the Heavens opened. I followed the shepherds to the stable place where the Babe was born. I, too, felt the joy and wondered at our Heavenly Father's perfect gift to the world and the mission and ultimate Atonement and Resurrection of the Savior.
There, in that moment, I felt loved and strengthened. Even though I was so tired, I was in fact lifted up in thinking and planning a new sacred song.
My over-active brain even puzzled about one phrase of the lyric that came to me. "And angel choirs with tongues of fire sang praise to the King of Kings." I wondered if I could say "tongues of fire" in the lyric. So, as soon as I had the chance, I went to the scriptures to find out if "tongues of fire" had a scriptural basis. Indeed it had. "Tongues of fire" means "speaking with the power and influence of the Holy Ghost." Exactly! This inspired phrase was perfectly right! The angels who sang at Christ's birth were certainly singing with the power and influence of the Holy Ghost. His main purpose is to testify of truth. It was definitely appropriate to use that phrase in the lyric.
There, in that moment, I felt loved and strengthened. Even though I was so tired, I was in fact lifted up in thinking and planning a new sacred song.
My over-active brain even puzzled about one phrase of the lyric that came to me. "And angel choirs with tongues of fire sang praise to the King of Kings." I wondered if I could say "tongues of fire" in the lyric. So, as soon as I had the chance, I went to the scriptures to find out if "tongues of fire" had a scriptural basis. Indeed it had. "Tongues of fire" means "speaking with the power and influence of the Holy Ghost." Exactly! This inspired phrase was perfectly right! The angels who sang at Christ's birth were certainly singing with the power and influence of the Holy Ghost. His main purpose is to testify of truth. It was definitely appropriate to use that phrase in the lyric.
It is amazing to me how the Lord has power to buoy us up amidst our difficulties and give us power to overcome, even if it is just in having a higher perspective. Surely there are times when we can be both a Mary and Martha simultaneously.
I hope choirs will enjoy singing "King of Kings" both at Christmas or at Easter.
I hope choirs will enjoy singing "King of Kings" both at Christmas or at Easter.
RSS Feed