I went caroling at a retirement center with a few families from our ward tonight. Ben didn't come with me because he got off work late. He really missed out!
I've always loved caroling at retirement centers. I've done it a few times, and each time has felt magical. The people we sing to appreciate it so much, and I've always felt a strong spirit of love while there.
This experience was no different. From the moment I walked in the door and saw the excited faces anticipating our caroling, my heart melted. I actually almost cried, that is how strongly I felt. A lot ran through my mind in that instant: I felt a very strong love for every single person in that room as a son or daughter of God. I felt that I was in the right place, spreading the word of the gospel and bringing merriness into their lives. I felt peace, complete peace. I felt joy, and my heart felt ready to burst.
I also felt the spirit of my grandma. She was always up for a good time, especially if it involved music and/or dancing. I think she joined her daughter and granddaughters for a brief moment during the musical praises we sang. She always loved to hear us sing.
Upon the end of the night, all of what I felt boiled down to one word: love.
Tonight, I felt like I understood a piece of what Jesus Christ feels for each of us. He loves us. He ransomed Himself for us. I felt a piece of that love for each of the men and women with me tonight, both retirement center folks and the friends and family I went with.
Tonight, singing brought us together. We bonded over our love for Jesus Christ and the joy of what He has brought to life.
Tonight, I am writing because this is what His birth signifies: love. And joy.
And I can't think of any better way to share that with people than through music. Music is powerful. It has always spoken to me in ways that no others can. Music has healed and soothed my soul when I've needed it most and found no other balm. Good music is of God. We can use music to learn, to teach, to soothe, and rejoice. Tonight, we taught, possibly soothed, and definitely rejoiced through music.
Caroling is a Christmas tradition. I never fully understood why until tonight.
D&C 136:28
"If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving."
Merry Christmas!
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