Christmas Special w/ Kristin Chenoweth (12/13/20) | Music & The Spoken Word

Music and the Spoken Word broadcast with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, and guest artist, Kristin Chenoweth.

1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
2. O Holy Night (Kristin Chenoweth)
3. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (Organ Solo)
4. Somewhere in My Memory, from Home Alone
5. Tidings of Great Joy (Spoken Word)
6. Silent Night
7. Hymn of Praise

Tidings of Great Joy

Some years ago, a group of friends were eating dinner together at Christmastime, bemoaning the busyness of the season. With exasperation and perhaps a little resentment, they spoke of hectic schedules and heavy burdens. After listening patiently, one wise, seasoned woman humbly offered her opinion. “I love Christmas,” she said. “It is the most joyful of all seasons. I love seeing the eyes of little children light up on Christmas morning. I love giving gifts. I love being with my family. We just need to simplify and remember what we are celebrating.”[1]

Like magic, her words changed the tone of the conversation—and the hearts of her friends.

Many of us can relate to those who feel overwhelmed at Christmas. But we can also benefit from the optimism of this wise woman. There is, after all, a lot to love about Christmas—the lights, the decorations, the music, the gifts, and the gatherings can inspire joy if we allow them to point us to a silent night in Bethlehem, to “shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night,” to a “babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger,” and to the angel who announced His birth.[2]

In many ways, that cheerful woman who shared her feelings about Christmas was a lot like that angel. On another occasion she said of the Christmas season: “I love everything about it. … Through it all there is an escalating awareness of the Savior. We will, sure as anything, read again about His birth in Luke. We will sing and listen to all kinds of music about Him. … But what does it all mean if it doesn’t do something to us inside?”[3]

The angel on that silent, holy night declared Christmas to be a time of “good tidings” and “great joy,” meant for “all people.”[4] We follow Him whose birth we celebrate when we share that joy with family, friends, even strangers. Thus we, in our small way, join the “heavenly hosts” who “sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born!”[5]

[1] In Virginia H. Pearce, ed., Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley (1999), 79.

[2] See Luke 2:8–12.

[3] Marjorie Hinckley, in Glimpses, 213–14.

[4] Luke 2:10.

[5] “Silent Night,” Hymns, no. 204.

Episode 4657. Aired December 16, 2018.
Rebroadcast December 13, 2020, as episode 4761.

[heleneschenbacher]

I lived in Salt Lake City for 20 yrs getting my undergrad and graduate degrees at the University of Utah. Every Thursday morning the “Tab Choir” had 2-3 hrs of practice. No ticket needed, just walked in quietly while ordinary folks walked in to share greetings, find their place, both choir and symphony orchestra. Of course the organ player “pulled out the stops” on the world’s largest organ.

I’m not LDS (Mormon) but quiet reflection and listening to a true heavenly chorus recharged me for another week. Then I’d get on my 10 speed Schwinn and head up to the campus.

Glorious days.

[louisesmith]

This is my first Christmas without my husband and my soul and spirit are so uplifted by this music today. Just exquisite. Thank you. Thank you.

[dwfootzoning]

I'm listening on November 26, 2023! Very powerful! The Lord of Lords reigns with healing in His wings!

[jonvogel]

Have always enjoyed the Tabernacle Choir -- especially at Christmas !

[mariannedias]

I would watch Kristin Chenoweth sing the back of a cereal box!

[Коляньчик]

This performance of the "Holy night" by Kristina Chernoweth, accompanied by the Choir of the tabernacle, is the best in the world, it must be shown every Christmas, regardless of the quarantine.

[IMChrysalis]

She should have been dressed in white, such an angelic voice to sing God's praise!

[lynx]

WOW!!--Kristin Chenoweth has a gorgeous voice!!!--she raised the roof!!!

[gabrielebieler]

Danke für dieses wunderbare musikalische Weihnachtsgeschenk. Es hat mich sehr ergriffen. Vielen herzlichen Dank.

[trishb]

I can watch this performance over and over. Each Christmas season, I always go to this.

[aliciaballard]

I lost my husband 8 years ago but it's just like yesterday but his spirit still lives with me

[surferdude]

A year ago we were all still recovering from the Covid pandemic. We really needed this broadcast. Thank-you to all the people who contributed your time, talents and willing hearts to make this happen.

[hopewaidelich]

6:30 My husband passed away unexpectedly, and I lost my soulmate. I believe that he's in Heaven and we will be united once again. Just I miss him so much, it's been difficult for me to be happy.

[philipmulindwa]

Warm Greetings from Uganda. I love this choir. I feel uplifted in these very trying times. Merry Xmas to you all.

[jimscott]

To have filled the Conference Center with such a declaration by Chenoweth then to end that glorious sound with total silence has to be stunningly humbling. I think the angels cheered and loved the effort, Chenoweth is wonderful and we could tell her heart went into that anthem. ❤❤

[rameshthangaraj]

I am getting goosebumps watching this Spectacular choir

[hendrawanchristianto]

In this pandemic situation I thought I would loose the spirit of Christmas, but after I see your Choir my spirit rise again, hope come again.

[maureenmcqueen]

I have been so Blessed this Christmas watching and listening to all the wonderful words and music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Guest Artists. This has been a Heartbreaking, horrendous year but the Light of God never left us and there were Miracles this year. Have Faith and Trust in God. Northern Ireland 🇬🇧

[elizabethscott]

We are awestruck with Kristen’s spirit-filled homage to Christ the King. Praise the Lord for His goodness. His love endures forever!

[heartofhawaii]

What a grreat blessing and JOY to find this music here today!!! proving once again..the POWER of GOD, communion with each other.. AND MUSIC!!! to Uplift the Human Spirit..and cast out the darkness and fear that has reigned long enough on our Beloved Planet Earth!! AMEN, ALOHA and Merry Christmas to ALL from Hawaii.