| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Music rang through the Canberra meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when its members, along with choirs from the local Faith City Church and People of Christ, gathered to remember the Saviour’s birth. It was a perfect way for all involved to celebrate 'Lighting the Community' during this Christmas season.
President Tony Abel of the Canberra Stake (diocese) of the Church opened the evening with a recognition that the Christian denominations at the event are united by the “boundless love that comes from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.” He added that we all “share gifts, time and talents” with each other, especially during this season of giving and receiving.
Sister Georgina Lee in the congregation remarked, “I was in tears from the start, as we watched the video showing our Saviour’s birth … and then heard the music. We remember our Saviour all the time, but Christmas is THE time when we all speak of Christ and rejoice in Christ.”
A sense of unity was felt by the congregation when the Samoan choir sang about the Saviour in their native tongue, as the spirit of the lyrics were understood by everyone in attendance.
The members of the Canberra Stake expressed that the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ is especially meaningful for them because Brother Tetuangi Sadler, a well-known and much loved Church member in Canberra, and the stake music chairman, had passed away only two weeks ago. Accordingly, the stake choir's part of the program concluded with the song, “There is Peace in Christ.”