“The Score” program (Portland Oregon) on BYU radio this morning titled the episode about this past year’s main movies and their music, “Hit and Miss”. I likened it to my hit-and-miss year — “sometimes successful and sometimes not.” Maybe you can relate. Nevertheless, I am grateful to God for another year of life with much success … in the strength of the Lord.
Wishing you a prosperous and joyful New Year!!
A serious thought on this special day of rest — time for reflection. The week before Christmas 2017, in Roseville Michigan, Sister Cannon and I were busy helping people. So, we didn’t think about what to give each other. Kay lovingly sent gifts to our children the previous week – always ahead of me in that regard.
(Posted Tuesday, December 19, 2017:)
As missionaries and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we do what we can to spread the good news of the gospel while assisting others with temporal needs. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we know He lives and is aware of people's needs, hopes, and desires. It is our hope to follow His example of love this Christmas season and thereby experience a happier New Year!
We feel the winter cold here in northern Utah, as expected for our Christmas celebration. I’m thinkin’ warm blankets at night when “the weather outside is frightful.”
Newborns deserve a warm welcome in any season. I see swaddle blankets online, designed as security, wearable, adjustable, personalized, photo props, with matching hat, etc. Baby has come a long way! Our daughters and granddaughters could also talk about dolls.
Did you or your child have a special “blankie” that was difficult to let go of? On a larger scale, Kay’s mother made adorable quilts cherished by our youngsters. I recall my 1970 Argentine red poncho served as a warm walking blanket in my youth. (With all our moves, where did it go?) My wife was grateful for the calming effect of heated blankets at Huntsman Hospital. A bit of family history.
Mary wrapped her baby Jesus in something warm, welcoming Him to earth life. (The “swaddling clothes” were likely “long strips of cloth wrapped all around the baby.” — BYU New Testament Commentary, by John Welch re. Luke 2:7) In some respects, a simple, warm existence at that time. In other ways, a bitter, cold world. However, Christ came and grew to give us all the warmth of His redeeming love. He overcame death for all mankind. He lives!
This one is for music lovers, with excerpts from a 2012 post. As Christmas music has blessed my life, today's choir practice brought to mind some great choirs I’ve enjoyed in the past, and a heavenly choir I’ve read about, which blessed the scene of our Savior’s birth. What are favorite choirs you sang in or listened to at Christmas time?
In 2012, my wife Kay liked this suggestion: East High School A Cappella Choir, which reminded me of Christmas performances I loved with my EHS choir directed by the legendary Lorraine Bowman. Years later, Kay sang in that choir. She could have also mentioned the Northridge High School choir our daughters sang in. We enjoyed their 2012 concert (with orchestra) which ended with a thrilling rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah (1742) by Handel (1685-1759). The annual concert always brought joy to us ... and certainly to the performers.
The jacket of a vinyl LP (with a 50-cent DI price tag) found in our basement “archive” lists the members of the Brigham Young University A Cappella Choir 1980. I enjoy their Christmas music this month on BYU's Classical 89. One album I am sure must exist would go with Kay’s CD, "Angel Voices -- Libera in Concert" recorded May 30 & 31, 2007, in a Netherlands cathedral. I haven't heard their Christmas music, but it’s on my wish list. The boys’ choir provides a heavenly listening experience that would lift anyone’s spirit this season.
There’s more I could add here, but this will do for a fast one. Suffice it to say, “I’m crazy about choirs!” So … Merry Christmas, and have a happy choir experience!
Today was temple work, Golden Corral feast, and a project: scanning contents of my wife Kay’s little box of wedding invitations, etc. we received since 1971, carefully organized … (hundreds!) Treasures of family history and memories of dear friends. (We both came from large families, and we moved a lot.)
Is this evidence of my OC digital hoarding? I like to think it is preservation of valuable history, backed-up on “the cloud” while lightening my load.
Something about Tuesdays … since September 2018, gets me going … with love.