The Power of Music

I always think it's amazing at this time of year how quickly and vividly Christmas memories came back as soon as I start listening to Christmas music. Certain songs bring me all the way back to elementary school when we'd go down to the library in the morning and all the grades would gather around the giant tree and sing Christmas songs.

Other songs make me think of singing with my sisters around the piano, caroling with my high school friends, going to concerts at Temple Square and singing in my church and high school choirs. Music was always a huge part of the holidays for me and even though I sadly don't sing as much as I used to, at Christmas time it's hard to keep myself from bursting into song every few minutes. : )

I think Teya enjoys the new "songbird" mommy and has even learned some of the lyrics so she can join in with me. We sing while we clean the house, in the car, taking a bath, coloring time, you name it! Teya has even branched off into some of her own compositions that mostly have to do with sharing, losing priveldges, and using kind words. It's funny to see how serious she gets when she sings things like, "Oh we have to be kind and share...cuz Santa don't likes it when we use mean voices....oooo aaahh ooooo...." Pretty good stuff. : )

I've also made an effort to start singing in our choir at church. This hasn't been easy considering that church is 3 hours long and choir is an additional hour after that. Add the 25 minute commute each way and your looking at a 5 hour deal. Obviously the kids can't handle that so Taber takes them home and soldiers on his own through lunch and nap duty with cranky kids so I can stay after and sing. I know it's not easy but I hope he knows how much I appreciate this sacrifice. I'm really excited to sing with our choir next Sunday. It's been way too long.

Singing really means a lot to me. When I sing about the Saviors birth the words combine with the music to touch my heart in a deeper way than I think they could on their own. The scene at the manger, the angels singing on high, the sleeping child in Mary's lap. It's all so real when I sing about it. When all the hectic busy parts of the season start to overwhelm me I sing Silent Night, and suddenly the stress is diffused and my heart is full and I'm ready to focus on the things that matter.

That being said I'll leave you with a song that has become mine and Taber's favorite this season. Taber discovered it and shared it with me. Now I'm sharing it with you because it really is amazing! (And even if you don't watch the whole thing you have to at least get to the first chorus, it's just incredible!) Hope you enjoy :