“Christmas Hymns around the World,” For the Strength of Youth, Dec. 2021.
Christmas Hymns around the World
Four youth share their favorite Christmas hymns.
Christmas is celebrated in different ways across the globe, and Christmas hymns are often different too. But no matter what songs you sing, the messages of these hymns connect us to each other—and to Jesus Christ. Here’s a look at what four youth around the world have to say about how their Christmas hymns help them draw closer to the Savior.
“Silent Night! Holy Night!”
Kasen L., 14, from Auckland, New Zealand, loves the peace that comes from singing Christmas hymns. “One of my favorite hymns that we sing in New Zealand is ‘Silent Night.’ As a family and in Primary, we learned it in Samoan, Maori, Tongan, and other languages of the Pacific. It brings peace to many people and tells me the night that Christ was born was holy and that He is my Savior.
“Christmas music helps me remember the Savior. When I listen to Christmas hymns, I feel the Spirit. It helps me feel that I’m one step closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”
“Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come”
Lumiere S., 16, from Montagnes, Côte d’Ivoire, finds peace in knowing that Christ will come again. Her favorite Christmas hymn is “Joy to the World.” “It always makes me feel happy because I know that our Savior will come again. My favorite line is the first: ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come.’ It’s a relief for me to know that He will come again and repair the world from its impurities.”
“Light a Candle”
Mina H., 16, from Vestland, Norway, loves how Christmas hymns bring joy.
“I have many traditional hymns I like to sing during Christmas. One of them is called ‘Deilig er jorden’ [‘Fairest Lord Jesus’; also known as ‘Beautiful Savior’ (see Children’s Songbook, 62–63)]. Traditional hymns just bring forth the joy and the happy feelings of Christmas.
“Those traditional Christmas hymns are so well written, in a way of being so poetic, as well as being joyful. My favorite part of the song ‘Deilig er jorden’ is when it says, ‘Peace on earth. Man, rejoice. Today a Savior is born to us.’”
“How Blissful Is This Season”
Jairus C., 16, from Bohol, Philippines, feels that Christmas hymns are special because they unite our thoughts on the Savior. “Christmas hymns bring joy and remembrance of the birth of Christ to the people. The lyrics are a big part of Christmas hymns because they remind me of Jesus Christ—of how great an example He is to us.”
One traditional Filipino Christmas hymn that Jairus likes is “Kasadya Ning Táknaa” [“How Blissful Is This Season”]. “This song uplifts people,” he says. “It has a lively beat, which brings people together. Without Christmas hymns, maybe Christmas would not be as joyful, not as happy or lively. Christmas hymns are important to me.”