Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

We received this wonderful DVD as an early Christmas gift this year and have already started to enjoy it. If you love classical Christmas music and gorgeous lyrical singing, we're guessing you will love this DVD that includes the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square, and Frederica von Stade and Bryn Terfel. We were excited to see some fabulous bagpipers included as well! (Go utah pipe band!) While watching this, Peter decided that he does not want to play the bass (like I had suggested) or the drums (like Nate wants), but he likes the bassoon. I said GREAT! But whatever happened to the inexpensive instruments? Wait, is there such a thing as an inexpensive instrument...besides the plastic recorder? Merry Christmas!

Cry, the Beloved Country

I have not yet read the book, but this movie inspires me to want to. Cry, the Beloved Country is a moving story about two South African fathers whose lives are transformed by their sons' actions. Very moving and thought-provoking. 

One of the poignant scenes is when Mr. Jarvis, the white father, asks his wife, "Why do we bring children into this world?" I believe his question is answered when he discovers what kind of person his son has been, and how it changes the way he sees his fellowmen, and how it changes his heart.

There are so many beautiful scenes in this movie, such as when the younger Johannesburg priest gives his money to Father Kumalo and Father Kumalo says he will pray for him every morning and night for the rest of his days; also, when Father Kumalo dries the tears of his future daughter-in-law; also, when he rages in to the room of his sister, who has become a prostitute in order to support her son, and then he embraces her and cries with her. Many other noteworthy scenes, and lovely music and scenery. 

Lane and I applaud James Earl Jones' and Richard Harris' performances and appreciate the lessons of compassion, service, and example taught in this film.

PG-13. We were glad to see this before we would have our children who are probably high-school age see this, depending on the child, with the opportunity to discuss the themes together afterward. Some rather difficult scenes and themes that would certainly not be appropriate for younger children.