Congregational Song: O Come, All Ye Faithful
That’s how the story always begins. A decree to the world; a taxing; a taking. But it starts, of course, the story of the greatest act of giving to the world that has ever happened.
And one of the things I love most about Christmastime is being able to share that story again and again. I shared it with my children each year when they were young. Now I share it with my grandchildren. Tonight, I’d like to share it with you.
It all began long ago, as a young woman named Mary, heavily pregnant with her first child, was forced to travel far from her home to the town of Bethlehem where her husband’s family came from, so that they could be written into the census and taxed by the Roman Empire that ruled over Israel at the time.
But Mary was not just any young woman; and the baby within her was not just any child. This was the child that would be known as Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. But that night, he was just a baby waiting to be born in a lowly stable in the little town of Bethlehem.
Stake Choir: Song of Bethlehem
I sometimes wonder what it must have been like to be there. What must sweet Mary have felt as she cradled her newborn son in her arms? What tender thoughts filled her heart as she contemplated the life that he might have?
I know what it was like to hold my own children, to feel their beating hearts, their light breathing, their soft hands holding on to mine. At those times, all you want for them is the best, and you hope that the world will treat them kindly.
Youth Choir: Lullaby of the Manger
Stake Choir: Angels Through the Night
And that’s not all. “[T]here were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-11)
Congregational Song: The First Noel
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” (Luke 2:15-18)
Children's Choir: Shepherd's Carol
There lay the baby Jesus in the centre, with a watchful angel overhead. Gentle Mary knelt beside him, with Joseph looking on, leaning on his staff and holding a lamp. Then there was the lowing cattle, the musing mule, the resting dog, and the shepherds – one, with a baby lamb resting on his shoulders. And, last, the wise men, those three travelers that the scriptures tell us followed a star.
“[T]he star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. [And w]hen they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” (Matt. 2:9-10)
Children's Choir: Heavenly Star
Stake Choir: Candlelight Carol
But that’s not where the story ends. In fact, it’s not over yet. Christmas is an ongoing tale. Jesus’s star, in a sense, still shines for you and for me. It is his own light, now, that we follow. Said Howard W. Hunter, “Again and again, during our Lord’s mortal ministry, he issued a call that was at once an invitation and a challenge… ‘Follow me…’ [This invitation] is individual and personal, and…compelling. …Each of us can accept this challenge.” We can follow the light of Jesus Christ that shines before us.
Men's Chorus: Star of Glory
Women's Chorus: Follow That Star
Congregational Song: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Family Quintet: Canon
Stake Choir: Carol of the Bells
Duet: O Holy Night
Stake Choir: The Gift of Love
This is what makes the memory and celebration of his birth so holy.
This is what defines the gift he came to bring.
May we always remember the gift of his love.