Christmas Special: The Spirit of Christmas (12/12/21) | Music & the Spoken Word

Music & the Spoken Word Christmas broadcast with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Conducting today’s program are Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, with organist Richard Elliott, and the spoken word by Lloyd Newell. 
Opening Credits (0:00)
1) On This Day Earth Shall Ring (01:01)
Music & Lyrics: 14th Century Carol
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
2) O Little Town of Bethlehem (06:23)
Music: Lewis H. Redner
Lyrics: Phillip Brooks
Arrangement: Leroy Robertson
3) Shepherds' Dance (Organ Solo) (08:47)
Music: Richard Elliott
4) Masters in This Hall (11:23)
Music: French Carol
Lyrics: William Morris
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
5) The Spirit of Christmas (Spoken Word) (16:18)
Narration: Lloyd Newell
6) In the Bleak Midwinter (19:20)
Music: Gustav Holst
Lyrics: Christina G. Rossetti
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
7) O Come, All Ye Faithful (23:56)
Music: John F. Wade
Lyrics: Frederick Oakeley
Arrangement: Leroy Robertson
The Spirit of Christmas
By: Lloyd Newell
Every year at Christmastime, small children put on makeshift costumes and gather household props to act out the Nativity story while someone reads from Luke chapter 2. Never mind that the real Joseph didn’t wear a fuzzy bathrobe or that the sheep looks suspiciously like the family dog. Adoring parents and grandparents overlook the fact that the donkey missed his cue and the angel forgot her lines. These homespun productions are cherished because they’re a tender tribute to the beloved Bible story in which Mary “brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Perhaps it’s appropriate that such a humble scene should be recreated in such a humble way by innocent but sincere children. Surely that first Christmas night didn’t go exactly as planned for Mary and Joseph, and yet it was still holy-sacred in its simplicity.
The tradition of reenacting the Nativity began in 1223 in Italy. St. Francis of Assisi, recently returned from the Holy Land, invited villagers to a cave where he had set up a simple manger filled with hay and two live animals. Surrounded by these visual reminders of that sacred night, St. Francis preached about the birth of Jesus.
In the centuries that followed, the idea of recreating the Nativity spread throughout Europe and then the world. Today the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, and Wise Men are depicted in a host of artistic styles and cultural traditions, from Austria to Argentina and from Kenya to Cambodia-a testament to the universal significance of that singular point in history, the birth of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it is depicted with small figurines, sometimes with life-size statues or live animals, and, of course, sometimes with children wearing paper beards.
Much more than a Christmas decoration or a fun activity, depictions of the Nativity remind us why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. They aren’t just portraying a historic event; they represent the true spirit of Christmas. “To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas,” a religious leader has reminded us, “we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the Spirit of Christ.”
Episode aired December 12, 2021, Broadcast Number 4813.
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[@teresaborodin-rossi2771]

Have been watching this for over 40 yrs Merry Christmas 🎁🎄

[@haydengreene1565]

That first song, On This Day Earth Shall Ring, was way too good! It feels so victorious!

[@Basherqueen]

Can't wait to see our world famous Tabernacle Choir live for my first time. God bless you all.

[@katrina1829]

That’s wonderful! I’m so excited for you .. someday I hope to as well🙏🤞

[@lauriesalisbury5257]

I absolutely love On This Day Earth Shall Ring. One of my new favorites ❤️❤️

[@Sequera70]

Wonderful music, wonderful Celestial Choir ...

[@trevortomah8508]

What an awesome wonderful way, to start of ones Christmas holidays, thank you tabernacle choir, for sharing your music with the world, may GOD bless all.

[@jeancraigflynn1503]

Thank you Tabernacle choir for making Christmas so special for so many people! The tone and your diction is so glorious! I take you with me wherever I go. What a glorious choir! You make my Christmas so special thanks be to God.

[@chischilisnez7811]

Always wonderful! Thank you for making this Christmas bright, under the bad circumstances USA, and most of the world, find themselves under. Mack and Ryan, you guys ROCK! You must have so much fun working with world-class choir, orchestra, organists, wonderful pipe organ, and bell-ringers, and technical crew (cameras, sound systems, lighting, etc.) in a world-class edifice. Nothing like it in the entire world! I'm proud to be a member of the church!

[@indiana6941]

Oh do I love Christmas and the beautiful snow, what a joy to celebrate the Savior!

[@antoniojosealos6178]

gracias

[@garrettharper5024]

The organ there at the end of Oh Come All Ye Faithful gave me the feels

[@carmenaguayo9427]

Peace and love,in the world in this chrismas and for ever.

[@justinjamison4431]

Love the new arrangements for 2021! So exciting.

[@tatianaponomareva5774]

Beautiful Christmas Carol! Much love from Russia!

[@fuadalfian8958]

Segala bangsa memuji Tuhan.

[@alexkinnison1376]

On This Day Earth Shall Sing!!!! Magnificat!!!!

[@bartuczkatalin463]

Beautiful music! It's always a joy to listen to you! Thank you!

[@sadespain2339]

This broadcast had my two favorite carols/ Christmas hymns! It was wonderful to belt them out with the Choir. And the songs I hadn't heard before were all so beautiful!! Thank you for the uplifting and inspiring music!!

[@jorgezacharias4447]

Amen!

[@manuelerosalesr]

Wonderful Christmas carol 💟

[@ruthbrown9060]

Beautiful ❤️❤️

[@melissamatiaslx]

That special, in my birthday 🎂

[@ricofranciscobaricaua4582]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@kouakoualexandregnamien9490]

marvelous

[@mawereredavid4629]

Wonderful

[@christinechappell7396]

Awesome

[@johnredford09]

Well done. I particularly liked the new arrangement of On This Day Earth Shall Ring.

[@fiateleaiono8715]

❤❤❤

[@promiiscoiitus]

Я люблю це

[@michaelmcdonnell2028]

✝️

[@staceyreed5589]

Anyone know how I can find sheet music for this version of on this day, earth shall ring?

[@jimrobertson3098]

Just wondering when the public will be allowed back into these performances as I notice the seats are empty.

[@jimrobertson3098]

I'm guessing that these videos are rehearsals.

[@kentdahlquist6660]

Actually Jim Robertson they are live recordings/broadcasts on Sunday morning…. Rehearsals are closed to the public still and are on Thursday night.;

[@rah1721]

When are you going to sing in the Tabernacle again?

[@richardkamwezi9297]

What's the song starting at 14:50?

[@shellypressell2291]

Do you have any 5.boxes in mind to