Carol of Joy
I have had the privilege of being in BYU Women’s Chorus for the last two seasons. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience.
Except there have been many moments when I haven’t felt this way.
There are those few moments when I get too wrapped up in the stressful times, or the busy times. But this last weekend we had our combined choir/orchestra Christmas concert and this one song put the Christmas season back into my heart. It is the ending song called Carol of Joy. The lyrics are perfect! They are joy. They express jubilation, triumph, exultation, rejoicing, elation, ecstacy, etc. But they express it in a peaceful way. And the most amazing thing about the lyrics/music is that they express this joy through the sorrowful times to. This parallels one of my very favorite scriptures:
"And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet"
- D&C 29:39
I think the beginning is just showing the contrast between good and evil by the devil "tempting the children of men" but what I love is that if you don't have the bitter you can't know the sweet.
This is what the song is. Carol of Joy is all about the brief sunset fading, the shadows, the darkness before the carol. The carol of our Savior and Lord and Redeemer – Jesus Christ. The message of this song is simple and complex. The meaning has so many layers, yet the most important layer is that Christ has come to give us our carol of joy through him! What a glorious message and feeling. And even though some of the world feels more sadness than joy, or even though we feel more sadness than joy right now, it will be okay. We will feel the sweet joy because we knew the bitter sorrow.
Green leaves all fallen, withered and dry;
Brief sunset fading, dim winter sky.
Lengthening shadows,
Dark closing in...
Then, through the stillness, carols begin!
Oh fallen world, to you is the song
Death holds you fast and night tarries long.
Jesus is born, your curse to destroy!
Sweet to your ears, a carol of Joy!
Pale moon ascending, solemn and slow;
Cold barren hillside, shrouded in snow;
Deep, empty valley veiled by the night;
Hear angel music
hopeful and bright!
Oh fearful world, to you is the song
Peace with your God, and pardon for wrong!
Tidings for sinners, burdened and bound
A carol of joy!
A Saviour is found!
Earth wrapped in sorrow, lift up your eyes!
Thrill to the chorus filling the skies!
Look up sad hearted
witness God's love!
Join in the carol swelling above!
Oh friendless world, to you is the song!
All Heaven's joy to you may belong!
You who are lonely, laden, forlorn
Oh fallen world!
Oh friendless world!
To you,
A Saviour is born!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
When I Ruled the World
Thanksgiving is obviously a time to be grateful. It is obviously a time to remember all we have. It is a wonderful time. I love it. I love trying to only think of things I’m grateful for and express gratitude often. This Thanksgiving was especially filled with gratitude.
I went to CA for my cousin’s wedding and my heart was so full of joy and gratitude for these two wonderful people who were ready to move forward together. The day was beautiful, the reception was beautiful, the bride was beautiful, the flowers were beautiful, the decorations were beautiful, the pictures were beautiful, everything was beautiful. But the most beautiful part to me followed the first dance with Shannon and Nick.
The second song started playing and both families gathered to the center of the floor to dance their hearts and souls out to “Vive la Vida.” They were all smiling grand smiles. They were all dancing around in one circle. They were all truly, blissfully happy for this one evening, for this one moment. They were in the moment. They were loving the moment.
I have loved this song by Coldplay for a long time and for more reasons than one. I think about this song practically everyday. However, it took on a new meaning in that one unified moment. They all shouted:
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the King!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone it was never
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People could not believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be King?
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Here were two families that had experienced broken times. Here were two families that at one point “ruled the world.” Here were two families that were coming together to rule again. They could now rule together because of the complete unity formed that day.
Because their love and marriage and growth is based on Jesus Christ, the can feel one together. They have “come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 13).
I went to CA for my cousin’s wedding and my heart was so full of joy and gratitude for these two wonderful people who were ready to move forward together. The day was beautiful, the reception was beautiful, the bride was beautiful, the flowers were beautiful, the decorations were beautiful, the pictures were beautiful, everything was beautiful. But the most beautiful part to me followed the first dance with Shannon and Nick.
The second song started playing and both families gathered to the center of the floor to dance their hearts and souls out to “Vive la Vida.” They were all smiling grand smiles. They were all dancing around in one circle. They were all truly, blissfully happy for this one evening, for this one moment. They were in the moment. They were loving the moment.
I have loved this song by Coldplay for a long time and for more reasons than one. I think about this song practically everyday. However, it took on a new meaning in that one unified moment. They all shouted:
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemies eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the King!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone it was never
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People could not believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be King?
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world
I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
Here were two families that had experienced broken times. Here were two families that at one point “ruled the world.” Here were two families that were coming together to rule again. They could now rule together because of the complete unity formed that day.
Because their love and marriage and growth is based on Jesus Christ, the can feel one together. They have “come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 13).
Birtday Bashes
Our apartment LOVES birthdays! We get way too excited about them. We have stared a ritual that I love and that I have recently realized symbolizes a lot more than just birthday wishes. For each person’s birthday we begin at midnight, of course, by banging into their room singing and dancing and celebrating their new year. And all we carry with us are a piece of paper and a marker. Then we go around and tell them why we love them and why we are glad they were birthed J I’m not going to lie, sometimes, we have shed a few tears of gratitude and love for them. . . Then, we do the fun part, we go around the room again and make predictions for their next year and record them on the paper. These are always fun to see what people guess and to see what comes true. Many of mine have already come true. Ex, another Big Bang before December 12 (breaking a leg), etc
Then when we wake up in the morning we devote the entire day to that person. We love them and this is one day of the year we can show all of our love to them (and they can’t say anything to protest)!
So yesterday was Amelia’s birthday and while we went through our favored birtday traditions, I realized that our traditions are an outward expression of something more. First, as we went around and told Meals why we loved her, I saw how that reflected our personal attachment to her. She radiates goodness, happiness, joyfulness, kindness, thoughtfulness, youthfulness, and love. And we love her for it.
I know feel a part of what the apostle Paul felt when speaking to his brethren. He counseled them to “be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (1 Corinthians 13:11). We are all trying our best to live in complete peace and communicate to be of one mind. I think because of our efforts we have love and peace in our appt. That is why we wanted to share it with Amelia – to show her we love her.
The second part of the night we make predictions. I think that shows how much we want each other to succeed and feel joy. When others around you are happy and successful (in any area) you rejoice with them because of the love and charity and hope you have for one another. Also, when we were making predictions for Amelia I saw how much potential we all saw in her. She is incredibly talented in so many areas. But the remarkable and nearly unfathomable part is that she even has more potential to be even more amazing.
I just love birthdays. I love celebrating people. I love celebrating their joys. I love celebrating my family’s birthday. And I love celebrating with my roommates – at my home away from home.
Then when we wake up in the morning we devote the entire day to that person. We love them and this is one day of the year we can show all of our love to them (and they can’t say anything to protest)!
So yesterday was Amelia’s birthday and while we went through our favored birtday traditions, I realized that our traditions are an outward expression of something more. First, as we went around and told Meals why we loved her, I saw how that reflected our personal attachment to her. She radiates goodness, happiness, joyfulness, kindness, thoughtfulness, youthfulness, and love. And we love her for it.
I know feel a part of what the apostle Paul felt when speaking to his brethren. He counseled them to “be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (1 Corinthians 13:11). We are all trying our best to live in complete peace and communicate to be of one mind. I think because of our efforts we have love and peace in our appt. That is why we wanted to share it with Amelia – to show her we love her.
The second part of the night we make predictions. I think that shows how much we want each other to succeed and feel joy. When others around you are happy and successful (in any area) you rejoice with them because of the love and charity and hope you have for one another. Also, when we were making predictions for Amelia I saw how much potential we all saw in her. She is incredibly talented in so many areas. But the remarkable and nearly unfathomable part is that she even has more potential to be even more amazing.
I just love birthdays. I love celebrating people. I love celebrating their joys. I love celebrating my family’s birthday. And I love celebrating with my roommates – at my home away from home.
Broken Bones and Humbled Hearts
For Ander’s birthday my roommates and I took him on a road trip to southern Utah, around St. George. It was one of the most eventful, bonding trips we have taken together. It was a blast. The first night we got there we slept in a tipi where we had a birthday cake, candles, Martinelles, and the whole enchilada for a big birthday bash. Of course we stayed up all hours of the night telling scary stories and trying to stay warm on the freezing November night.
In the morning we woke up early and Anders made a fire out of his bare hands, and went to spend the day in Zion’s National Park. It was such an amazing day filled with hours and hours of hiking mountains. We were all wearing our matching fiesta shirts, matching waterbottles, matching Utah–white skin, and matching smiles. It had been an adventurous day scaling mountains and climbing crevices. So we wanted to finish off the day with one last hike. Well, on the last 15 minutes of the last hike, I slipped down a little mudslide and broke my leg. Well, I didn’t know I’d broken it, so I tried to convince my roommates that nothing was wrong and that I could walk on it. So I did. I walked out on a broken leg. To make an already long story short, I got a surprise when the doctor told me it was broken with likely need of surgery and crutches for a while. Whoops. This is one of those comical experiences in life. At the same time, I have learned a lot, and this has been one of the most humbling experiences in my life.
Because I have never broken a bone despite my many klutzy moments, I began to think my body would never get hurt – that my bones were extra strong. So I was humbled in that way – to see that my body is a gift. When I don’t take care of my body or do careless things with it, I will harm it. That is when I find out that “I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak” (Alma 26:12).
I love this scripture. I have always loved it because of what it means spiritually to me. I know that Jesus Christ has done more for me than I can do for myself and because of that I am nothing without him. I still believe that. But my belief has been expanded to engulf physical weakness too. I know that without Christ’s creation and accuracy, my body would not be what it is today. I know that Christ formed the Earth and everything in it and that Heavenly father designed a plan for me to come to this Earth and obtain a body. I am grateful for it. More grateful than I can express. And it keeps me humble to realize my body is weak without constant gratitude for the gift it is.
In the morning we woke up early and Anders made a fire out of his bare hands, and went to spend the day in Zion’s National Park. It was such an amazing day filled with hours and hours of hiking mountains. We were all wearing our matching fiesta shirts, matching waterbottles, matching Utah–white skin, and matching smiles. It had been an adventurous day scaling mountains and climbing crevices. So we wanted to finish off the day with one last hike. Well, on the last 15 minutes of the last hike, I slipped down a little mudslide and broke my leg. Well, I didn’t know I’d broken it, so I tried to convince my roommates that nothing was wrong and that I could walk on it. So I did. I walked out on a broken leg. To make an already long story short, I got a surprise when the doctor told me it was broken with likely need of surgery and crutches for a while. Whoops. This is one of those comical experiences in life. At the same time, I have learned a lot, and this has been one of the most humbling experiences in my life.
Because I have never broken a bone despite my many klutzy moments, I began to think my body would never get hurt – that my bones were extra strong. So I was humbled in that way – to see that my body is a gift. When I don’t take care of my body or do careless things with it, I will harm it. That is when I find out that “I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak” (Alma 26:12).
I love this scripture. I have always loved it because of what it means spiritually to me. I know that Jesus Christ has done more for me than I can do for myself and because of that I am nothing without him. I still believe that. But my belief has been expanded to engulf physical weakness too. I know that without Christ’s creation and accuracy, my body would not be what it is today. I know that Christ formed the Earth and everything in it and that Heavenly father designed a plan for me to come to this Earth and obtain a body. I am grateful for it. More grateful than I can express. And it keeps me humble to realize my body is weak without constant gratitude for the gift it is.
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