2. “When there’s no peace on earth, there is peace in Christ”
Growing out of a collaboration between The Bonner Family and performers from the popular YouTube channel, Working with Lemons, this rendition of Peace in Christ is a moving reminder of why we celebrate this time of year and why the birth of Jesus is such good news that is worth spreading.
Though our world can be frustrating, overwhelming and even scary, we know that the one place we can always find peace is in Jesus Christ. According to the video’s description: “Give as he Gave, serve others, and you will find peace not only at Christmas but through out your entire life.”
3. When a Simple Song Becomes a Parade (“Little Drummer Boy” by GENTRI)
This music video from the LDS gentleman trio known as GENTRI starts out fairly simply, with a visit to a sick child in a hospital ward. As the music builds though, the group of people contributing to the sound grows too and it becomes a pretty compelling metaphor for the way that when we do something small to #LightTheWorld, that effort can have an impact and build and influence others until we are blessing the whole world in a wave of goodness of Christlike love.
From the video’s creators: “Each year in our quest to find Christmas we look inside ourselves and ask “what gift can I bring to the feet of Him who needs no gift?” The truth of Christmas lies in the fact that the most precious gifts (our love, our time, our talents) cost nothing.”
4. Born is the King of Israel (“The First Noel” by Claire Crosby and family)
Claire Crosby has garnered much notoriety for one so young, making appearances on Ellen and having a YouTube channel with nearly 1.5 million followers. But in her family’s rendition of The First Noel, the significance of her age seems to be in the reminder that at this time of year, children can feel the spirit and excitement of this season too and not just as it pertains to getting presents. We bring our children caroling and out to do service and show generosity to others and though they may talk the most of Santa Claus and what they hope to find under the tree Christmas morning, those other lessons–if they are diligently and deliberately taught–will not be lost on them.
5. We are the Herald Angels today (Christmas mash-up by BYU’s Noteworthy)
The compelling thing about arranging two well-known songs into something new is that each familiar song can add new meaning and interest to the other. Such is the case in Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Go Tell It On the Mountain sung together here by BYU’s premiere all-female a capella group, Noteworthy. As the verse from one escalates to the line “risen with healing in his wings,” a chorus of voices jump in to tell us all to “go tell it on the mountain.” He was not only born, but he died for us and rose again, “with healing in his wings.” What better thing could we take to the mountain to tell the world? We are His herald angels today. We have but to open our mouths and sing.
