The Power of Christmas Carols

Dear Family and Friends,

It's been an exciting week filled with lots of "Goin' ons". The Tree Lighting celebration was well attended.  I saw many missionaries from the Des Moines Mission with investigators.  It was festive but still had a great message about Christmas and Christ's birth and was well received.  Since we were over the storytelling in the sites, I'd like to share one of those stories:

 In St. George, Utah in 1869, there lived a man named John M. McFarlane. He had many jobs including being a judge, but his true love was music. For Christmas that year he was asked by Erastus Snow to write a special song for the program. He recruited help from his friend Charles Walker. Brother Walker wrote the lyrics and gave them to John.  John just couldn't think of music to match. Time was running out and he didn't know what to do. One night while asleep, John heard the words and melody of a song he knew was fitting. He said it was as if angels were singing it to him. He woke up, asked his wife to hold the lantern, and  penned the words and music.  That song was ”Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains."  

 

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnZYTc-iiJI

The next day he was afraid his friend would be offended that he hadn't used the words that he had written. Charles was not offended but instead was touched by the carol.  John McFarlane never thought his song would go beyond St. George. It is now sung all over the word by many Christian Churches  in many languages.  The Carols have great messages and background stories. I suggest you find some of them and read them with your families.

There's always an activity or dinner here in Nauvoo. I think to keep us from being homesick. I do love serving and being with such great people.  Most of all I love the temple.  Such a privilege to be so close. What a marvelous structure to have been built in the 1840's.   A true consecration to the Lord from a humble, faithful people. (Yes, I know this is a copy but it's still the same size and design)

Have happy memory filled holidays with your loved ones.

Love,

Sister and Elder Long

PS Bob wouldn't want me to mention this but he should do the emails, right? It's his birthday on Wednesday December 6th. It would be fun for him to get emails or texts. Thanks!

Happy Birthday to Elder Bob Long (12.6.2017)