Christmas Special: The Reason for the Season (12/5/21) | Music & the Spoken Word

Music & the Spoken Word Christmas broadcast with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Conducting today’s program are Mack Wilberg and Ryan Murphy, with organist Andrew Unsworth, and the spoken word by Lloyd Newell. 

Opening Credits (0:00)

1) “Ding! Dong! Merrily on High” (01:01)
Music: French Carol
Lyrics: G.R. Woodward
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

2) “There Are Angels Hov’ring Round” (03:28)
Music & lyrics: Spiritual
Arrangement: Ryan Murphy

3) “In dulci jubilo” (Organ Solo) (09:09)
Music: German Carol
Arrangement: Andrew Unsworth

4) How Far is it to Bethlehem (11:16)
Music: English Carol
Lyrics: Frances Chesterton
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

5) The Reason for the Season (Spoken Word) (14:48)
Narration: Lloyd Newell

6) “Still, Still, Still” (17:43)
Music: Austrian Carol
English lyrics: David Warner
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg

7) "Carol to the King" (21:53)
Music: French Carol
Lyrics: Jim Christian
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg


Spoken Word - “The Reason for the Season”
By: Lloyd Newell

Christmas is a season of interesting contrasts. In many parts of the world, for example, Christmas comes in the darkest, coldest part of winter—and yet Christmas is a season of light and warmth, characterized by the warm glow of lights on houses and trees. People are kinder and filled with more compassion and love, but at the same time the stress of the season can make people busier, ruder, and more impatient. And while Christmas is traditionally a time of joyful gatherings with friends and family, so many feel uninvited, forgotten, and alone. Contrasts like these are with us all year long, but at Christmastime they are amplified, more tender and poignant.

Yes, Christmas, for some, can be the happiest or saddest of days. And though we can’t always take the sadness from the season—any more than we can take it out of life—there is something we can do to help make Christmas more joyful for ourselves and others: we can focus on the reason for the season. And that reason is the birth and life of the Savior of the world.

One Christmas, a family with several children found that Christmas wasn’t quite as merry for them as it ought to be. They were supposed to be happy and enjoying the holiday, but they were worn out and worried. Instead of good tidings of great joy, they felt stressed and busy. Instead of peace and goodwill, they felt frazzled and frustrated. So they made a decision—one that continues to guide their family today. During the Christmas season, they slow down, simplify, and focus their time and energy on what this season is all about.

In a sense, this family found a star to guide them, like the one the Wise Men followed to find the Christ child so long ago. It led them to a sacred moment of worship, where in simplicity and stillness they could offer their treasures in love and adoration. Perhaps each of us would benefit from searching the sky for our own star—from discovering what it is that leads us to the Prince of Peace, setting aside things that draw us away, and humbly worshipping Him: the reason for the season.

Episode aired December 5, 2021, Broadcast Number 4812.

Subscribe to our channel for the latest videos: http://www.youtube.com/thetabernaclechoirattemplesquare
Note: A prerecorded countdown video begins one hour prior to the live broadcast.

Subscribe to “Choir Notes” the Choir’s official newsletter
http://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/connect

Download the The Tabernacle Choir App
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id958738521
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.lds.motab

Follow The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
Facebook: facebook.com/thetabernaclechoir
Twitter: twitter.com/thetabchoir
Instagram: instagram.com/thetabernaclechoir
Pinterest: pinterest.com/thetabchoir