When I was little, my grandmother often sang to me. I loved listening to her--things like pitch and tone quality aren't nearly as important when you're little--but grandma wasn't a singer. Though the tunes were never quite the same twice in a row, I loved those quaint old songs from bygone days: "There's a bluebird on my windowsill..." and "When the sun in the morning peeks over the hill..." and my favorite, "Way down in the depths of the forest..." --an evocative phrase indeed for a small child!
How well I remember the songs she sang. The sermons we mommies and daddies and grandmas and grandpas sing to our little ones will stay with them far longer than our lectures, whether or not our warblings bear any resemblance to real music. "The Most Beautiful Story That's Ever Been Told" is my attempt to tell the Christmas story in a simple lullaby for children, because as wonderful as the bluebirds and the sunshine and the depths of the forest may be, our children need to hear and remember and love the most beautiful story of all.
"...we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ..."
...and we sing of Christ.
"...that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26)
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Scores
Medium-voice solo:
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Low-voice solo:
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Recordings
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Lyrics
If you'll listen my darling, tonight 'ere you rest
I'll tell you the story your daddy* loves best
How a marvelous thing that all children should know
Happened in Bethlehem, long, long ago
There were stars in the heavens, all shining and bright
And a new star was rising o'er Judah that night
For within a poor stable a baby was born
And that beautiful baby was Jesus our Lord
Chorus:
It's a story of wonder and glory and awe
Filled with heavenly love and the goodness of God
Learn it well, take it with you wherever you go
The most beautiful story that's ever been told
Though the folk in the village were all fast asleep
There were shepherds out watching that night with their sheep
When a legion of angels came down from on high
Singing and bringing great tidings of joy
(Repeat chorus)
In a manger he lay as the angels had said
While Mary and Joseph kept watch by his bed
For the babe was our Savior, the Father's own Son
Sent to love little children and bless every one
It's a beautiful story, the sweetest I've heard
Full of comfort and hope, and it's true--every word
So remember it always, and then when you're grown
Tell this sweet story to babes of your own
(Repeat chorus)
*...or, mommy, grandma, etc.
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