This Thanksgiving week, as I reflected on all the many ways God has blessed my life throughout 2023, I realized how much I’m looking forward to December and the celebration of God’s greatest blessing to all of us, His Son Jesus Christ. As I prepare to head out on my Christmas tour with my special guest, Daniel Emmet, at the end of the week, I thought it was timely to share this #SundayMessage from December 1, 2019, written when I was rehearsing with Daniel for my first Orchestral Christmas show, and here we are this year back together. So much has happened for both of us, and I’m thrilled to be performing with him again! But what excites me most is sharing the true joy of Christmas with all of you this year, and I hope to see many of you on tour! May God bless your lives with love, joy, and the true meaning of Christmas! And remember, I love you all!!!
Marie’s Sunday Message
December 1, 2019
Yesterday, I was in rehearsal for my upcoming Symphonic Christmas shows. As a little girl, I dreamed of working with these amazing symphony orchestras with full, elaborate charts, and I am so excited to actually to be doing it!! I have been blessed throughout my life to be a part of many wonderful Christmas shows. From my first introduction with Andy Williams, then to Bob Hope and the USO, to Perry Como, Disney, the Osmond Family, Donny and Marie, and of course, my own Christmas shows as a country artist, to name a few. But it became more important than ever for me to bring people the Christmas spirit after my son Michael passed. I needed something to help heal my heart, and serving others ALWAYS works for me. That is what Christmas is: a time to reach out to others who are in need and follow the Savior’s example. Because as you serve, you will always find someone in greater need than yourself; that’s why service is so healing. This ONE time of year, the whole world celebrates the Savior, and because of His example, more forgiveness is offered, more gratitude is given, and more service is rendered because we are consciously (or unconsciously) thinking about the Christ Child. That is how powerful His influence is.
I want to keep the Savior first in my family’s minds, so I shared a new video with them called “The Christ Child.” Something about the look in Mary’s eyes at the beginning speaks to my heart and the wise man’s face at the end… It’s powerful!!! It was a perfect way for us to start the holidays as we remember the Savior's birth in a touching and beautiful way.
You can watch the video at http://bit.ly/2NKjbxW and sign up for daily #LightTheWorld text prompts, another amazing way to honor and celebrate the Savior this season. Today was the first text prompt, and it said, “Next time you get a text, tell the sender why you value them.” It’s just a simple little idea that might make someone's day. 😊 Also, on that website, you can download a service calendar that offers suggestions to those around you. All of our situations are different, but service is the one thing that guarantees to bring joy to each of us!
I would also like to offer a personal challenge for this holiday season. My family and I will read the book of Luke in December, and I would love for you to join us. There are 24 chapters; if we read one daily, we can finish on Christmas Eve. Through the book of Luke, we can experience the Savior’s entire life, which can be a powerful way to keep the Savior in the forefront of our lives each day. Also, today would’ve been my parent's 75th anniversary. I always started December 1st reading Luke with my Mom. She would say, “Doing this will help us better understand His life’s mission and love for all of us.“ This tradition started with my parents and continues to be life-changing each December for me. I am following the #LightTheWorld prompt for today by telling you how important you are in my life. May the Lord’s fondest blessings be yours as we celebrate Christ’s mighty example each day and His infinite atonement in our lives. I love you all!
