Past Member Invitation

Has anyone thought of inviting our former members (I'm specifically thinking of the girls who live in Layton direction) to our performances that are in their neighborhoods. When we post or email the directions/time/place, I think that we should send out an invite to them. I'm saying this now because I'll probably forget again until it's too late, so maybe someone who's more on the ball can take the idea and run with it. I'm hoping that we'll see JoDell at her ward :)

Do you have a favorite Christmas Carol? The Christmas season is truly brought to life through it's music. Have you ever found yourself touched by the words you hear at Christmas time? Have you taken time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and how it relates to you in your life because you were blessed to hear an old, familiar carol play? I have always loved Christmas carols and have been blessed on occasion to receive carolers at my door. One special memory I have occurred for our family on Christmas Eve. We managed to make our way up a stormy canyon rode and arrived safely at our little cabin to celebrate Christmas. In the dark of night, with snow gently falling all around, it was very quiet. As we began unpacking, there was a knock at the door. We opened it to hear the familiar sound of carolers. I was totally surprised and wondered where these angels came from. Then I listened to their words and was so touched I began to cry. My heart swelled with emotion and felt such gratitude to my Heavenly Father for this blessing to literally welcome us to our cabin and set the tone for a very Merry Christmas. Caroling can gladden the heart at Christmas time, uplift our spirits, and bring joy to our souls.

Becky's part

Becky's part

What would Christmas be without traditions?

"Family traditions are like spiritual and emotional cement in the foundation of a happy home. They create fond memories, and these memories bond us together as nothing else can. Traditions influence the way we live and the way we look at life." (Ensign, March 1986)

Some of our families' favorite traditions center on the joy of service. For years we have thoughtfully chosen a family in our neighborhood and surprised them on December 13th with the 12 days of Christmas. Each night through Christmas Eve we leave a fun something that we know they would enjoy on their door step. What joy we have received from hiding and listening to the squeals of delight from children.

Another tradition we have is putting surprises in each others' stockings on Christmas Eve. One of the first years I sang with this group, I woke Christmas morning to a fun surprise in my stocking - a dozen Almond Joys! I laughed and laughed. You will understand why after you hear our next song. These next couple of songs have become traditions for our group. They bring out the fun side of Christmas. So enjoy with us!

Program Part

Here is a first draft of my part for the program. I'll spend more time cleaning it up later. I just wanted to get going on our parts so they will be ready for Thursday's practice. I would love any suggestions you have. I was a science major so I wouldn't have to write papers. For those of you with writing experience, feel free to fix things. Thanks! Shauna

This part will be right after singing "Beautiful Child" and before "Innkeeper's Carol."

Our Savior's birth took place in such humble circumstances. We now live in a modern world filled with items to make life more enjoyable. For me, one of those “enjoyable” items is the rocking chair my husband and I bought before we had our first baby. One day I was moving the chair and came across a note that said the chair was guaranteed for 1 million rocks. I value every one of those "one million rocks." I can't count the number of nights I spent sleeping in the chair, holding a nursing baby. Or the rocks I spent laboring through the night with our first baby.
This last song we will sing to you has special meaning to me. I spent several nights singing this song while rocking my baby. I didn't sing to every baby. Matthew is the only one I can remember. He would lay on my shoulder and look up to request the baby song. I would begin with the beautiful message that played out through song of the story of looking in on our Savior's birth. As I rocked my baby I would think of the wonder of that moment. What would it have been like to witness the birth of our Savior? Were we allowed to peek in and view our Savior as a mortal or did we have to wait for the account of those who were there?
As I rocked my baby I realized the wonder of life continued and was due to the beauty of that little baby I was singing about. Our Savior came to earth to provide joy to our lives. He gave us everything, our earth, life, and the ability to cleanse ourselves and come together again as families. As we close, we invite you to reflect on His gift.

Formations 2008

Here are our formations from last night. The blue binder is Larna and the white binder is Jenni.

Processional

Kerstin introduces our group

Sing We Now of Christmas

Angel Carol

Becky's Solo

Jenni: how we find our music and a brief history of Silent Night

Silent Night

We’ll Dress The House

Christmas Round

Becky's Tradition Talk

Chocolate

Twelve Days

Piano Duet

Amy: the joy found in caroling using the example of carolers at the cabin

Sing a Glad Noel

Born is the Light of the World

Shauna: the sweet memory of singing to her baby, true meaning of Christmas, wishes for a Merry Christmas from Gloria.

Innkeepers

Program Outline 2008

Processional

Kerstin: introduction explaining who we are and what we are all about
Sing We Now
Angel Carol
Becky’s solo
Jenni: how we find our music and a brief history of Silent Night
Silent Night
We’ll Dress The House
Round
Becky: Christmas is a time for fun family traditions such as 12 days of Christmas and sharing about her “Almond Joys”
12 Days
Chocolate
Piano Duet
Amy: the joy found in caroling using the example of carolers at the cabin
Sing a Glad Noel
Born is the Light
Shauna: the sweet memory of singing to her baby, true meaning of Christmas, wishes for a Merry Christmas from Gloria.
Innkeepers