Every year as December comes again, I always reflect on how I can bring the real spirit of Christmas—Jesus Christ’s humble birth—into our home. This year, I decided to collect the online videos of my favorite musical performances, songs, and stories about Christmas. I want to share these with my family and friends, which includes all of you! My husband and I are planning to watch one of these videos each night for our “12 Days of Christmas” this year. Some of the videos are longer than others, but they all are uplifting and inspiring!

I feel overwhelmed at the talents of these amazing musicians, singers, dancers, actors & actresses, writers, and production managers & technicians who have spent a combined total of millions of hours perfecting their talents so they could bring these awe-inspiring and heartfelt messages to us. I hope you will all enjoy these 12 magnificent Christmas productions as much as I have and share them with your family and friends!

01. The Christ Child: A Nativity Story

This is a realistic, touching story of Jesus Christ’s humble birth up until the Wise Men came to honor him with gifts and love. Click here For the inspiring story of why and how this recent video was produced in 2019.

02. Messiah

The scriptural text for the “Messiah” was compiled by Charles Jennens. Then, in 1741, the music for the “Messiah” using this scriptural text was composed by George Frideric Handel in 24 days!

03. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

This beloved poem and Christmas carol was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on December 25, 1863. It was set to music in 1872 by John Baptiste Calkin. Click here to read the sorrowful story of why Longfellow wrote this poem. It is performed by the American actor Edward K. Herrman (1943-2014) and the Tabernacle Choir.

04. O Holy Night

05. The First Noel

06. Oh, Come All Ye Faithful

07. Joy to the World

08. The First Noel: A Christmas Medley

09. Silent Night

Sung by 7-Year-Old Claire Crosby Accompanied on the piano by President Russell M. Nelson

10. The Christmas Train

In December of 1995, President Thomas S. Monson (1927 - 2018) told a story of when he was ten or eleven years old and received the gift of an electric train from his parents. It was a touching story about a child who was beginning to understand the true meaning of Christmas. This story, which has always stayed with me, was eventually made into a storybook. I recently found this book on YouTube, narrated in President Monson’s own voice! What a treasure this is for everyone!

11. Mr. Kreuger’s Christmas

This short, classic film from 1980 features the veteran actor Jimmy Stewart (1928-1997) and the Tabernacle Choir. This is shown in a 3-part sequence on YouTube. Click here to read the background of how this unique movie came to be.

12. The Prayer

While this is not a traditional Christmas song, it feels like one because it is performed within a Christmas setting. The prayer ends with a plea that is especially appropriate for today’s troubled times: “Guide us with your grace to a place where we’ll be safe.”

I pray you’ll be our eyes,
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise,
In times when we don’t know
Let this be our prayer,
When we lose our way
Lead us to a place,
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we’ll be safe.

A Christ-centered Christmas: 12 Days of Christmas Songs