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Some years ago, I was asked by our ward Primary president to participate in a special Christmas season activity for the children. The idea was to search for the Christ child. It was kind of like a scavenger hunt. The group would start in the Primary room at the church here in Cardston, and following various clues, they would go from place to place, finally reaching the Remington Carriage Centre stable. Here, they would find Mary, Joseph and the Christ child. My part in the event was to portray the angel of the Lord giving the first announcement: 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' (Luke 2:10-12)
Christmas excitement overpowers reverence
The activity took place on the last school day before the Christmas break, and the kids showed up absolutely wired. They gathered in the Primary room, but they kept their coats on because they had been told they would be going outside right away. However, as the starting time of the event approached, no one was on hand from the Primary leadership to organize things. Apparently, they were all delayed, busily tending to the final details of the various stops along the way leading to the manger.
So, there I was, the only adult in the room, but clearly someone without any ordinary connection to the Primary or authority to take charge. I had pondered my solemn responsibility to act as a herald angel, and I was distressed to observe that the children were out of control. I knew they needed to be in a different frame of mind to appreciate the purpose of the activity. I was tempted to crack the whip and chastise them, especially when the boys started running full tilt at the room-dividing curtain, throwing themselves at it in their heavy coats and tumbling to the ground in a frenzy of joyous and noisy mayhem. How could proper order be obtained without extreme disciplinary measures guaranteed to introduce a negative spirit into the room?
The power of sacred music prevails
Then, a miracle happened. A young woman from our ward came into the room. She was probably 17 years old and had been asked to play the piano for the opening hymn. She sat down and started playing simple Christmas carols. Soon, the children were gathered around the piano and began spontaneously singing along. The whole mood changed. The Spirit of the Lord flooded into the room. A few minutes later, the Primary leaders arrived and organized the children without the need of a single word of reproach. A hymn was sung, a prayer offered, and I was signalled to stand forth and make my announcement to a happy and attentive flock of searchers, excited to set out and find the Christ child.
All was right and good, and music did it. Sacred hymns and carols have always tamed and toned the spirits of children and adults. We are taught in the Sacrament prayer that if we will “always remember Him,” we will have His Spirit to be with us. Few things turn our hearts and minds to Christ more sweetly, surely and easily than sacred hymns. The lesson I learned that December day has stayed with me and has been verified over the years as I have sung in Church choirs, harmonized in quartets, stood on tiptoes belting out the Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah, performed in hospitals and seniors’ facilities or pondered the words while singing with the congregation in my sacrament meeting. I bear witness to the wonderful power of sacred music to bring the Spirit to anyone at any time.