December 1, 2013 - #4394 "The Way to Bethlehem"
Music & the Spoken Word broadcast with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. December 1, 2013 Broadcast Number 4394.
Music
"Christmas Bells Are Ringing"
Composer: Robert P. Manookin
Lyrics: Robert P. Manookin
"One December, Bright and Clear"1
Catalonian Carol
English Text by David Warner
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
"Away in a Manger"2
Composer: William J. Kirkpatrick
Lyrics: Anonymous
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
"Ding Dong! Merrily on High" (Organ Solo)
French Carol
Arrangement: Andrew Unsworth
"Magnificat and Gloria Patri,"2 from Magnificat in D, BWE 243
Composer: John Rutter
Lyrics: David Grant
"How Far Is It to Bethlehem?"
English Carol
Lyrics: Frances Chesterton
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
"Christmas Is Coming"
English Carol
Additional Lyrics by David Warner
Arrangement: Mack Wilberg
1. On the CD Rejoice and Be Merry! and the DVDs Rejoice and Be Merry!, Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square: Featuring Frederica von Stade and Bryn Terfel
2. On the CD Glad Christmas Tidings: Live in Concert, Sing, Choirs of Angels! and This is Christmas (Legacy Series). Also available on the DVDs Live in Concert: Glad Christmas Tidings (DVD) and Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, featuring Sissel And on Blu-ray Live in Concert: Glad Christmas Tidings (Blu-ray)
Spoken Word
The Way to Bethlehem
At this time of year, people all over the world turn their thoughts to
Bethlehem, as did the shepherds of so long ago when they declared, "Let
us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to
pass" (Luke 2:15).
The ancient city of Bethlehem is located along an old caravan route a few
miles southwest of Jerusalem. It was known as the City of David because it
was there that the prophet Samuel anointed young David to be the king of
Israel (see 1 Samuel 16:1–13). Today it is known as the long-foretold
birthplace of the King of kings, Jesus Christ. It has been referred to as a
"little town," and indeed it was 2,000 years ago. But from small things very
often comes that which is great—"the hinge of history," one writer
observed, "is on the door of a Bethlehem stable."1
Traveling to Bethlehem today would be a long and costly journey for most
of us. Few are fortunate enough to go there; most of us will never see it in
person. Nonetheless, our hearts and our actions can take us to Bethlehem
every day. And very often the journey may be as important as the actual
destination.
The way to Bethlehem—and to the King who was born there—is marked by
good thoughts and good deeds. We go to Bethlehem every time we turn
the other cheek and respond with kindness instead of anger; we journey to
Bethlehem when we open our hearts to others and let them into our lives—
even when it's inconvenient or difficult; we travel to Bethlehem as we set
aside selfish pursuits and focus our thoughts and energies on the things
that matter most; and we go to Bethlehem as we hold on to hope in the
face of discouragement and tribulation.
The journey to Bethlehem is not just for a day or even a special season of
the year. Truly, it is the journey of a lifetime.
1. Ralph Sockman, in Spencer W. Kimball, "Why Call Me Lord, Lord, and
Do Not the Things Which I Say?" Ensign, May 1975, 4.