Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir

[music playing] ANNOUNCER: Join the renowned Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square, along with Broadway and television star Kristin Chenoweth, as we celebrate the holiday season together through song and dance in this special holiday concert.

[MUSIC "HARK!

THE HERALD ANGELS SING"] CHOIR: (SINGING) Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations rise.

Join the triumph of the skies With angelic hosts, proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.

Christ by highest heaven adored.

Christ, the everlasting Lord.

For in time, behold Him come, offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh, our Lord is He, Savior though eternity.

Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace.

Hail the Son of Righteousness.

Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings.

Mild, He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.

Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.

Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn King.

Newborn King.

[applause] [MUSIC - "GIFT OF CHRISTMAS, EVERYWHERE!"]

Bring the boxes stuff with treasures.

Pass around the sweets and toys.

Swag the holly boughs and berries.

Still we yearn for Christmas joys.

Wrap us in forgiving feelings.

Tie the bow of tender care.

Make us one with one another.

This is Christmas everywhere.

Set the candles in the windows.

Stoke the yule logs blazing bright.

See the gleaming stars above us.

Still we seek more Christmas light.

Wrap us in forgiving feelings.

Tie the bow of tender care.

Make us one with one another.

This is Christmas everywhere.

Find the Gift wrapped in the manger.

Say the truest Christmas prayer.

Let Thy love be ours in loving.

Give us peace on earth to share.

Wrap us in forgiving feelings.

Tie the bow of tender care.

Make us one with one another.

This is Christmas everywhere.

This is Christmas everywhere.

This is Christmas everywhere.

This is Christmas everywhere.

This is Christmas everywhere, everywhere.

Every, every, everywhere.

Everywhere.

Everywhere.

[applause] [MUSIC - "WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS"] ANNOUNCER: Please welcome award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth.

[applause] Ladies and gentlemen, Kristin Chenoweth.

Kristin!

Where is Kristin?

KRISTIN CHENOWETH: Mack.

Mack!

Mack!

Thank you.

I'm down here amongst the people.

[laughter] Hi, everybody.

[applause] Hi!

Hello!

Hi!

Hi.

Hi.

OK, what is your name?

Nancy.

Are you here with your family, Nancy?

Yes, I am.

Is this your whole row or what?

This is my daughter, Emily.

Hi, Emily.

Are you my biggest fan?

If you cry, I'm going to cry.

If you cry-- she's crying.

[laughter] I've already had some.

Emily.

Emily, here I am.

Come here.

Touch.

Hugs, yes.

OK.

Pass it down.

She-- yes, you come here.

[applause] Hi, Mack.

[laughter] Listen.

You know, where I'm from, we don't just burst into song for no reason, unless, of course, well, it's Christmas.

Come on, kids.

(SINGING) Haul out the holly.

Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.

Fill up the stocking.

I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas right this very minute.

Candles in the window, carols at the spinet.

Yes, we need a little Christmas right this very minute.

It hasn't snowed a single flurry, but Santa, dear, we're in a hurry.

So climb down the chimney.

Turn on the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.

Slice up the fruitcake, ugh.

It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.

For I've grown a little leaner.

Grown a little colder.

Yes.

Grown a little sadder.

No.

Grown a little older.

CHOIR: And I need a little angel.

Sitting on my shoulder.

Need a little Christmas now.

Do you see that man down there?

He needs some hand sanitizer.

You're welcome.

Do you see that woman?

She needs some mints.

Everybody needs mints.

What do you got for me?

[gasps] Good idea.

CHOIR: (SINGING) Haul out the holly.

Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.

Fill up the stockings.

We may be rushing things, but deck the halls again.

I've twirled a few batons, folks.

CHOIR: (SINGING) Ah.

KRISTIN CHENOWETH: Big kicks.

CHOIR: (SINGING) For we need, Yes!

CHOIR: (SINGING) We need a little music.

I love it!

Jazz hands.

CHOIR: (SINGING) We need a little laughter.

Jazz hands, everybody.

CHOIR: (SINGING) We need a little-- Conduct me!

CHOIR: (SINGING) --singing through the rafter.

And we need-- Jazz hands!

CHOIR: (SINGING) We need a little-- KRISTIN CHENOWETH: And sway.

CHOIR: (SINGING) --happy every after.

KRISTIN CHENOWETH: Yes!

(SINGING) We need a little Christmas-- Should I go for it?

CHOIR: (SINGING) --now.

Should I go up?

(SINGING) Ah, ah.

[applause] OK, so let me just say, I feel the love hurling towards me.

[applause] There were three shows I never missed growing up-- the Tony Awards, Miss America, and Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

I never missed the show.

So a few years ago, one of my best friends, Sandi Patty, sang right here on this stage with this choir and this orchestra.

When she sang her version of this song, I thought, oh, if I ever am asked to do that song, I would like to do her version.

And it just so happens that I'm doing her version in the same spot with the same choir.

And I'm praying lots of prayers right now.

[music - "o holy night!"]

(SINGING) O, holy night, the stars are brightly shining.

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope.

The weary world rejoices.

CHOIR: Rejoices, rejoices.

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees.

O, hear the angel voices.

O, night divine.

O, night when Christ was born.

O, night divine.

O, night.

O, night divine.

Truly He taught us to love one another.

His law is love, and His gospel is peace.

Bonds shall we make until we all are brothers.

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we.

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Fall on your knees.

O, hear the angel voices.

O, night divine.

O, night when Christ was born.

O, night.

O, night.

CHOIR: Oh, night divine.

O, night.

O, night divine.

CHOIR: O, night divine.

Ooh.

CHOIR: Divine.

Oh.

[applause] [MUSIC - "FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN"] CHOIR: (SINGING) For unto us a Child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

Unto us a Son is given.

For unto us a Child is born.

For unto us a Child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

Unto us a Son is given.

For unto us a Child is born.

For unto us a Child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

Unto us a Son is given.

Unto us.

Unto us.

A Son is given.

A Son is given.

And the government shall be upon His shoulder.

And the government shall be upon His shoulder.

And the government shall be upon His shoulder.

And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Unto us a Child is born.

For unto us a Child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

Unto us a Child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

And the government shall be upon His shoulder.

And the government shall be upon His shoulder.

And His name, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Unto us a Child is born.

For unto us a Child is born.

For unto us a Child is born.

For unto us a Child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

Unto us a Son is given.

And the government shall be, shall be upon His shoulder.

And the government shall be, shall be upon His shoulder.

And the government shall be upon His shoulder.

And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Unto us a Child is born.

For unto us a Child is born.

Unto us a Son is given.

Unto us a Son is given.

Unto us a Son is given.

And the government, the government shall be upon His shoulder.

And the government, the government shall be upon His shoulder.

And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

[applause] [music - "mary, did you know?"]

(SINGING) Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would give sight to the blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm the world with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss that little baby, you've kissed the face of God.

Mary, did you know?

Oh, oh, oh, oh.

Mary, did you know?

Oh.

Oh.

The blind will see.

The deaf will hear.

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.

The dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all Creation?

Did you know, Mary, that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

That sleepy child you're holding is the great I Am.

CHOIR: Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

The great I Am.

CHOIR: Did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Oh.

The great I Am.

Mary, Mary, did you know?

Oh, Mary, Mary, Mary, did you know?

[MUSIC - "COME ON, RING THOSE BELLS"] Everybody likes to take a holiday.

Everybody likes to take a rest.

Spending time together with the family, sharing lots of love and happiness.

CHOIR: Come on and ring-- Come on, ring those bells.

Light the Christmas tree.

Jesus is the King, born for you and me.

CHOIR: Come on and ring-- Come on, ring those bells.

Everybody say, Jesus, we remember this, Your birthday.

Celebrations come because of something good, celebrations we love to recall.

Mary had a baby boy in Bethlehem, the greatest celebration of them all.

CHOIR: Come on and ring-- Hey.

CHOIR: Come on and ring-- Come on, ring those bells.

Light the Christmas tree.

Jesus is the King, born for you and me.

CHOIR: Come on and ring-- Come on, ring those bells.

Everybody say, Jesus, we remember this, Your birthday.

Ah, come on, ring those bells.

Light the Christmas tree.

Jesus is the King, born for you and me.

Come on, ring those bells.

Everybody say, Jesus, we remember this, Your birthday.

Let's celebrate.

Let's celebrate.

Let's celebrate today.

[applause] [MUSIC - "SOMEWHERE IN MY MEMORY"] CHOIR: Candles in the window, shadows painting the ceiling.

Gazing at the fire glow, feeling that gingerbread feeling.

Precious moments, special people, happy faces I can see.

Somewhere in my memory.

Christmas joys all around me.

Living in my memory.

All of the music, all of the magic, all of the family home here with me.

Somewhere in my memory.

All of the music, all of the magic, all of the family home here with me.

[applause] Tonight we join together to pay tribute to Christmas angels everywhere, to caregivers, defenders, activists, rescuers, and protectors, to our angel mothers and angel friends, to all the angels among us.

[music - "angels among us"] Now let's go back in time.

I was a little girl, a younger girl.

I was walking home from school one day, and it was cold.

I decided to take a shortcut through my neighborhood, and of course I got lost.

It was getting late, and I was scared and alone.

But then a kind old woman took my hand, and she led me home.

She took me right to my front door.

That's how God works.

A stranger takes you where you need to be, right?

Now-- (SINGING) Mama couldn't see her.

Oh, but she was standing there.

And I knew in my heart she was an answer to my prayers.

Oh, I believe there are angels among us, sent down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hours to show us how to live, to teach us how to give, to guide us with the light of love.

When life held troubled times and had me down on my knees, there's always been someone to come along and comfort me.

A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand.

A phone call from a friend just to say, I understand.

Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road that someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope.

I believe there are angels among us sent down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hours to show us how to live, to teach us how to give, to guide us with a light of love.

They wear so many faces, show up in the strangest places, to grace us with their mercy in our time of need.

Oh.

CHOIR: I believe there are-- KRISTIN CHENOWETH: I believe.

CHOIR: --angels among us sent down to us.

KRISTIN CHENOWETH: From somewhere up above.

CHOIR: They come to you and me-- KRISTIN CHENOWETH: You and me.

CHOIR: --in our darkest hours to show us how to live.

KRISTIN CHENOWETH: To teach us how to give, to guide us with the light of love.

To guide us with the light of love.

[applause] [MUSIC - "FILL THE WORLD WITH LOVE"] CHOIR: (SINGING) In the morning of my life I shall look to the sunrise, at a moment in my life when the world is new.

And the blessing I shall ask is that God will grant me to be brave and strong and true, and to fill the world with love my whole life through.

And to fill the world with love, and to fill the world with love, and to fill the world with love my whole life through.

In the noontime of my life I shall look to the sunshine, at a moment in my life when the sky is blue.

And the blessing I shall ask will remain unchanging-- to be brave and strong and true, and to fill the world with love my whole life through.

And to fill the world with love, and to fill the world with love, and to fill the world with love my whole life through.

Oh.

Ah.

Ah, ah, ah, ah.

In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset, at a moment in my life when the night is due.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer.

Was I brave and strong and true?

Did I fill the world with love?

Did I fill the world with love?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love?

Did I fill the world with love?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

My whole life through.

[applause] On Christmas Eve every year, we'd light a candle, and Dad would read the Christmas story.

Since then, I've been reading that same story with friends all over the world.

What I've learned is that good people everywhere believe in the true meaning of Christmas-- compassion, understanding, and love for all people everywhere.

This is the gift we celebrate at Christmas.

This is the gift of the Christ child.

[music - "what child is this?"]

(SINGING) What child is this who, laid to rest on Mary's lap, is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping.

This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud, the babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh.

Come peasant, king, to own Him.

The King of Kings salvation brings.

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise the song on high.

The virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born, the babe, the Son of Mary.

The babe, the Son of Mary.

[applause] [music playing] [fire crackling] GIRL: "And it came to pass that those days that there went out a"-- MOM: Decree.

GIRL: "Decree from Caesar"-- Augustus.

"Augustus that all the world should be test."

MOM AND DAD: Taxed.

"And all went to be taxed, every one unto his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth."

"Unto the city"-- DAD: A little tricky.

--"of David, which is called Bethlehem."

"Because he was of the house of lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with the child."

[non-english speech] "And so it was"-- And so it was-- --"that while they were there"-- GIRL: --while they were there-- --"the days were accomplished"-- --the days were accomplished-- --"that she should be delivered."

--that she should be delivered.

"And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in"-- --"in swaddling clothes."

--in swaddling clothes-- --"and laid him in a manger."

"And laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn."

"And there was in the same country shepherds, abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night."

[speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] "And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them, and they were sore afraid."

MOM: "And the angel said unto them"-- GIRL: --the angel said unto them-- --"'Fear not'"-- GIRL: --Fear not-- --"'for behold'"-- --behold-- --"'I bring you good tidings of great joy'"-- "'Which shall be unto to all people.'"

"'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which the Christ the Lord.'"

[speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] [speaking spanish] MOM AND DAD: "'A Savior, which is Christ the Lord.'"

MOM: "'And this shall be a sign unto you'"-- And this shall be a sign unto you-- MOM: "'Ye shall find the babe'"-- GIRL: "'Ye shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'"

BOY: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multi"-- MOM: Multitude.

"Multitude of the heavenly hosts praying God and saying"-- "'Glory to God'"-- Glory to God-- --"'in the highest'"-- --in the highest.

"'And on earth, peace'"-- --on earth, peace-- "'On earth, peace'"-- "'Peace'"-- "'And on earth, peace, good will toward men.'"

(SINGING) Angels from the realms of glory, wing your flight all o'er the earth.

Ye who sang Creation's story, now proclaim Messiah's birth.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

[MUSIC - "ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY"] CHOIR: (SINGING) Shepherds in the field abiding, watching o'er your flocks by night.

God with man is now residing.

Yonder shines the infant light.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Sages, leave your contemplations.

Brighter visions beam afar.

Seek the great desire of nations.

Ye have seen His natal star.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

CHOIR: Saints before the altar bending, watching long in hope and fear.

Suddenly the Lord descending in His temple shall appear.

Though an infant now we view Him, He shall fill His Father's throne.

Gather all the nations to Him.

Every knee shall then bow down.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

CHOIR: Gloria.

Ria.

Ah.

[applause] For more music from this performance behind the scenes videos and information about past concerts This program was made possible in part by Ronald C. and Kaye Gunnell, Timothy and Teresa Wright, Rex and Ruth Maughan, Gary and Cathy Crittenden, and Tom and Leslie Thomas, and by the following.

[MUSIC - "ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY"] CHOIR: (SINGING) Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gloria.

Ria.

Ah.

[applause] ANNOUNCER: To order a DVD of the extended version of this program, called Angels Among Us, or the companion CD, visit Shop PBS or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS.

[music playing]