A few years ago I wrote some lyrics for a Christmas song, and I love them. They capture the quiet awe I often feel at Christmastime. I always wished I could compose something just right by myself, but nothing ever manifested for these lyrics, and so the idea took a big break on the back burner. One day, a long time later, I realized completely by accident that my lyrics fit the tune of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need", and they fit the tune perfectly. This tune happens to be one of my very, very favorites, so I was absolutely thrilled by this discovery. It didn't take long to find an arrangement for "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" (by Linda Pratt) that made it even more of a perfect fit. I added my own words to her arrangement, and then added an instrument line inspired by the Tabernacle Choir's version of "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need", which also resulted in some slight tweaking of her Sister Pratt's arrangement. I did originally mean the instrument to be played by a flute, but we performed with a violin because of what we had available in our ward this year.

For many of my choir members, this arrangement was their first introduction to the original tune. They've expressed that it quickly became THE original in their minds, and they loved singing this one so, so much, and that the lyrics and music touched them deeply. I'm honored that it was so well loved by my ward!! And I'm so grateful for Sister Pratt's original arrangement that made it possible.

Sometimes I ask myself about the use of the word “gentle” to describe the Savior’s love. How did I land there? Was it the best choice? Birth is not gentle. Mortality versus heaven is not gentle. But as a mother, I think it’s that feeling I’ve experienced after the chaos of birth is over, and I’m holding a quiet, still newborn in my arms, knowing their entrance into my life was part of the plan, but also feeling awe at imaging a whole life of in front of them just waiting to unfold, and the whole world just shifts into this feeling that is pure and immense and full of hope and wonder, and I think, “Oh… (deep, soft breath)… THIS is love.” It’s gentle and soft and warm, the way it fills my heart. And if I were there to see the newborn Savior, I think I would feel the same way, and take deep breaths that fill my soul with the warmth of His eternal and perfect love.