>>> COMING UP, AMID ONGOING CONTROVERSY OVER U.S. IMMIGRATIN POLICY, LUCKY SEVERSON REPORTS ON ONE STATE'S SUCCESS RESETTLING REFUGEES.

>>> AND WITH THE ADVENT SEASON UNDERWAY, I LOOK AT HOW MUSIC EMBODIES THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.

>>> PLUS, BELIEF AND PRACTICE.

CHURCHES PACKING MEALS BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS FOR HUNGRY CHILDREN.

♪♪ >>> WELCOME.

I'M KIM LAWTON, SITTING IN FOR BOB ABERNETHY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> U.S. MUSLIM LEADERS ARE STRONGLY CONDEMNING THIS WEEK'S ATTACK AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, WHERE NEARLY A DOZEN PEOPLE WERE INJURED.

THE ATTACKER WAS KILLED BY UNIVERSITY POLICE.

HE WAS IDENTIFIED AS ABDUL RAZAK ALI ARTAN, WHO WAS BORN IN SOMALIA AND CAME TO THE U.S.

IN 2014.

AUTHORITIES SAY ARTAN POSTED RANTS ON FACEBOOK ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF MUSLIMS AROUND THE WORLD.

AMERICAN ISLAMIC LEADERS SAID HIS ACTIONS WERE A PERVERSION OF THEIR FAITH.

THEY URGED THAT THE VIOLENCE NOT SET OFF A BACKLASH AGAINST THEIR COMMUNITY.

MEANWHILE, MOSQUES IN SEVERAL STATES HAVE BEEN RECEIVING COPIES OF A LETTER REFERRING TO MUSLIMS AS "CHILDREN OF SATAN" AND ASSERTING THAT DONALD TRUMP WILL DO TO MUSLIMS "WHAT HITLER DID TO THE JEWS."

INTERFAITH LEADERS ARE DENOUNCING THE HATE MAIL.

REFORMED JEWISH LEADER RABBI JANNA DOV PESNER CALLED IT VILE.

HE PLEDGED THAT THE NATION'S LARGEST BRANCH OF JUDAISM WOULD STAND WITH MUSLIMS AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA.

>>> THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER THIS WEEK RELEASED A REPORT DOCUMENTING A SHARP RISE IN HATE INCIDENTS IN THE IMMEDIATE WAKE OF THE ELECTION.

THE MAIN TARGETS WERE MUSLIMS, IMMIGRANTS AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

THE GROUP CALLED ON THE PRESIDENT-ELECT TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON HIS COMMITMENT TO "BIND THE WOUNDS OF DIVISION" IN THIS COUNTRY.

>>> A DIVERSE COALITION OF CLERGY IS URGING PRESIDENT OBAMA BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE TO ISSUE PARDONS TO NONVIOLENT PRISONERS WITH LOW-LEVEL DRUG OFFENSES AND TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

IN ADDITION, THE GROUP IS CALLING ON CITY OFFICIALS AROUND THE NATION TO DECLARE THEMSELVES SANCTUARY CITIES THAT WOULD WELCOME UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

THE CLERGY SAY THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT POLICIES THAT MAY BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> WHEN EITHER WE TRY TO DETAIN OR DEPORT AND SEND PEOPLE OUT OF THE COUNTRY OR WHETHER WE THROW THEM INTO PRISON THROUGH THE TOOLS OF MASS INCARCERATION AND THE NEW JIM CROW, WE ARE ULTIMATELY BREAKING UP FAMILIES THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE BEDROCK OF OUR NATION AND SO WE NEED PRESIDENT OBAMA TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AND TO GRANT MORE CLEMENCY AND RELEASE MORE PEOPLE.

>>> ALSO THIS WEEK, MORE THAN 70 PRESIDENTS OF CATHOLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SIGNED A STATEMENT SUPPORTING STUDENTS WHO ARE PART OF THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS PROGRAM, OR DACA.

THE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER BY PRESIDENT OBAMA.

IT PROTECTS YOUNG IMMIGRANTS FROM DEPORTATION AND ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE WORK PERMITS.

DURING THE CAMPAIGN, TRUMP PROMISED TO REPEAL THE ORDER.

MORE THAN 720,000 YOUNG PEOPLE CAME FORWARD TO BE PART OF DACA.

THEY FEAR THEY WILL NOW BE DEPORTED.

>>> THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WILL CHANGE U.S. POLICY ON IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEES.

SOME 30 STATE GOVERNORS HAVE SAID THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE IN MORE REFUGEES, ESPECIALLY FROM PREDOMINANTLY-MUSLIM COUNTRIES.

MANY OF THEM CITED FEARS THAT TERRORISTS MIGHT BE AMONG THE NEWCOMERS.

BUT LUCKY SEVERSON REPORTS THAT IN THE STATE OF UTAH, REFUGEES ARE ACCEPTED AND WELCOMED, AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS ARE ACTIVE IN HELPING THEM RESETTLE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON SIGHT AT THE SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT -- REFUGEES ARRIVING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO A WARM EMBRACE.

TODAY, THEY'RE FROM SOMALIA AND NEPAL.

AMONG THOSE HERE TO WELCOME THEM AND HELP THEM IS MARTHA ARCHULETA, A VOLUNTEER WITH CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES.

>> CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES -- IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO LIVE OUT MY FAITH.

CHRIST GAVE US THE EXAMPLE OF CARING FOR THE POOR AND WELCOMING THE STRANGER IN OUR MIDST.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 1,200 REFUGEES WILL ARRIVE HERE THIS YEAR TO A PLACE THAT STANDS OUT, PARTICULARLY AMONG RED, CONSERVATIVE STATES FOR ITS ATTITUDE TOWARD REFUGEES.

THEY ARE WELCOMED HERE, UNLIKE AT LEAST 30 OTHER STATES THAT HAVE SAID THEY ARE NOT WELCOME, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM SYRIA.

THAT'S WHERE KHOLOUD ABOU ARIDA CAME FROM, ALONG WITH HER HUSBAND AND THREE CHILDREN.

WAS IT DANGEROUS THERE?

>> YES, YES, AND MY HUSBAND, TWO TIMES WENT TO JAIL.

MY CHILDREN, NOT SAFE FOR THEM.

>> MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR MINDS WHEN THEY GET HERE.

>> Reporter: ADEN BATAR IS THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT FOR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THERE ARE OVER 60,000 REFUGEES NOW LIVING IN UTAH.

HE SAYS THERE IS AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BETWEEN BEING CLASSIFIED AS AN IMMIGRANT AND AS A REFUGEE.

>> AN IMMIGRANT IS SOMEBODY WHO LEFT THEIR COUNTRY ON THEIR CHOICE FOR A BETTER FUTURE, A BETTER LIFE.

A REFUGEE HAS TO SHOW A WELL-FOUNDED FEAR OF PERSECUTION BASED ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION, POLITICAL OPINION, BASED ON MEMBERSHIP IN A SOCIAL GROUP AND SO FORTH.

SO THE REFUGEES HAVE TO MEET THAT DEFINITION IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE GIVEN A REFUGEE STATUS.

>> Reporter: ADEN HIMSELF IS A REFUGEE AND A MUSLIM.

IN SOMALIA HE WAS A PRACTICING LAWYER WHO FLED HIS COUNTRY IN 1996.

>> I LEFT MY HOME COUNTRY, SOMALIA, BECAUSE OF THE CIVIL WAR THAT STARTED BACK IN 1990.

IF IT HASN'T BEEN THE CIVIL WAR, I WOULD NOT HAVE LEFT MY HOME COUNTRY.

I WAS FORCED TO FLEE AFTER LOSING A FAMILY MEMBER.

>> Reporter: STATES THAT DON'T WANT REFUGEES ARE CONCERNED THAT THERE WILL BE TERRORISTS AMONG THEM, BUT ADEN BATAR SAYS THAT FEAR IS UNFOUNDED.

THE VETTING PROCESS, HE SAYS, IS EXHAUSTIVE.

FIRST, THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES MUST DETERMINE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY QUALIFIES AS A REFUGEE.

THAT'S A SMALL PERCENTAGE.

THEN THE U.S.

SENDS INVESTIGATORS TO THE CAMPS.

>> THEN THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH A SCREENING PROCESS, WHERE THEY WOULD BE FINGERPRINTED, THEIR NAMES WILL BE CHECKED AGAINST A MULTIPLE DATABASE.

THE FBI THE CIA CAN CHECK THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT LINKED WITH A TERRORIST, TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CRIMINAL BACKGROUND.

>> Reporter: THE PROCESS ON AVERAGE TAKES TWO YEARS AND LONGER.

>> I UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE HAVE THE FEAR, BUT REFUGEES ARE NOT THE ONES THAT ARE HARMING THIS COUNTRY.

EVER SINCE THE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM STARTED BACK IN THE '70s, WE HAVE MORE THAN 3 MILLION SUCCESSFULLY RESETTLED IN THE U.S., AND THOSE REFUGEES ARE CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: BACK IN SYRIA, KHOLOUD WAS A TEACHER OF ARABIC IN DAMASCUS.

NOW SHE DRIVES A FORK LIFT AT THE LDS, MORMON, HUMANITARIAN CENTER.

SHE HOPES TO TEACH HERE.

>> SO SCARY, BECAUSE EVERYTHING HERE DIFFERENT -- CULTURE, PEOPLE, EVERYTHING.

AND LANGUAGE, SO HARD.

YEAH, BUT NOW, WE LOVE AMERICA AND THE PEOPLE HERE IN UTAH, VERY FRIENDLY.

>> Reporter: HER HUSBAND IS A CHEF.

THEIR THREE CHILDREN ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THIS IS NOUR.

SHE'S 16.

>> I LEARNED ENGLISH SO FAST AND EVERYTHING WAS QUICKLY FOR ME.

I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO SYRIA, BECAUSE I START MY NEW LIFE HERE.

I START MY NEW FUTURE HERE.

>> Reporter: FOR FOUR HOURS EACH WEEKDAY, KHOLOUD AND ABOUT 200 OTHER REFUGEES WORK SORTING OUT CLOTHING TO BE SENT AROUND THE WORLD.

TOMORROW IS PAYDAY SO EVERYONE IS WEARING A SMILE.

>> WHAT TIME WILL YOU -- >> IN THE AFTERNOON, THEY LEARN ENGLISH, AND HOW TO GET A JOB.

>> REFUGEES, AFTER SIX MONTHS THEY'VE BEEN IN THE COUNTRY, WHEN THEY GET THEIR FIRST JOB, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PAY BACK THEIR AIRFARE.

>> Reporter: FOR KHOLOUD'S FAMILY, AIRFARE COST $8,000.

THAT'S ONE REASON THERE ARE CLASSES LIKE THIS ONE ABOUT PERSONAL FINANCE.

>> IF YOU GET A JOB WITHIN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS WHILE WE'RE PAYING YOUR BILLS, SAVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN BECAUSE TOMORROW YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A CAR.

>> Reporter: THE MINUTE REFUGEES ARRIVE IN THE U.S., AFTER BEING FINGERPRINTED AND ANOTHER BACKGROUND CHECK, THEY ARE GIVEN LEGAL STATUS TO WORK, TO GO TO SCHOOL, AND GET BENEFITS, SUCH AS MEDICAID.

THERE'S A FURNISHED APARTMENT WAITING FOR THEM WITH FURNITURE DONATED FROM THROUGHOUT UTAH.

EVERYONE MUST LEARN ENGLISH.

>> WE DO SOME THINGS THAT ARE VERY PRACTICAL WITH FAMILIES, LIKE TEACHING THEM THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, THE GROCERY STORE, HOW TO OPERATE A -- SOMETIMES A WASHER AND DRYER.

BUT OUR VERY MOST IMPORTANT ROLE IS BEING THEIR FRIEND AND BEING A PERSON THEY CAN TRUST FROM THE LARGER COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE HERE SAY THE REASON UTAH IS SO WELCOMING TO REFUGEES IS BECAUSE THE EARLY SETTLERS THEMSELVES WERE REFUGEES.

FLEEING RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO GET HERE.

THEIR LEADER AND MANY OF THEIR MEN MURDERED, BECAUSE SO MANY MORMON CONVERTS CAME FROM EUROPE, PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD B. HAYES ASKED TO NOT LET MORE MIGRATE.

IT'S NOT ONLY MORMONS.

>> ISLAM TAUGHT US TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS, TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND ALSO TO HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED.

THAT'S WHAT MY FAITH TEACHES ME AND THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE.

>> EMILY STEVES IS A MORMON.

SHE WORKED FOR THE AMAR FOUNDATION, AN INTERNATIONAL NONPROFIT HELPING IN IRAQ.

>> TO SEE WHAT 30,000 PEOPLE LOOK LIKE IN ONE CAMP, WHICH IS MORE THAN THE POPULATION IN THE TOWN I LIVE IN, IT REALLY CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE.

A LOT OF THEM SPOKE REALLY GREAT ENGLISH, THEY HAD COLLEGE EDUCATIONS.

THEY WERE JUST LIKE ME.

>> I'M MORMON, AND HE IS MUSLIM AND WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

IN THE WAYS THAT HE WE CONNECT WITH GOD.

>> Reporter: IN MARCH, LDS CHURCH LEADERS LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN CALLED "I WAS A STRANGER," BASED ON THE BIBLICAL MANDATE TO WELCOME THE STRANGER, ASKING MEMBERS TO DONATE THEIR TIME AND EFFORTS TO THE REFUGEE CAUSE.

>> CERTAINLY THERE'S NO EXPECTATION OR HOPE THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CONVERTING AS A RESULT.

I DO HOPE TO THAT AT THE END THERE IS A WARMER FEELING ABOUT US.

AND THEY THINK, OH.

THOSE MORMONS ARE GOOD PEOPLE.

>> DON'T JUST THE MUSLIMS.

THEY ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.

SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH US, LIKE, WE THOUGHT AMERICAN PEOPLE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE NICE WITH US OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT, NO.

WHEN WE START TO KNOW THEM, THEY ARE REALLY NICE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: AFTER FIVE YEARS, REFUGEES LIKE KHOLOUD'S FAMILY CAN APPLY FOR U.S.

CITIZENSHIP.

FOR RELIGION"RELIGION & ETHICS," I'M LUCKY SEVERSON IN SALT LAKE CITY.

>>> IN OTHER NEWS, ONE YEAR AGO THIS MONTH, WORLD LEADERS GATHERED IN PARIS TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT PLEDGING TO CURB GLOBAL WARMING.

THIS WEEK, POPE FRANCIS TOOK THEM TO TASK FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON IT.

PROMINENT SCIENTISTS, INCLUDING PHYSICIST STEPHEN HAWKING, ATTENDED A VATICAN MEETING WHERE FRANCIS URGED NATIONS TO FOCUS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND NOT BE DISTRACTED BY OTHER ISSUES, SUCH AS POLITICS.

AND FRANCIS HAD ANOTHER WELL-KNOWN GUEST AT THE VATICAN THIS WEEK.

OSCAR-WINNING DIRECTOR MARTIN SCORSESE AND HIS FAMILY HAD A PRIVATE AUDIENCE WITH THE POPE.

THEY WERE IN ROME FOR SPECIAL SCREENINGS OF SCORSESE'S NEW FILM "SILENCE, " WHICH IS ABOUT THE PERSECUTION OF CATHOLICS IN 17th CENTURY JAPAN.

THE CENTRAL FIGURES IN THE FILM ARE JESUIT MISSIONARIES.

FRANCIS HIMSELF AT ONE TIME HAD HOPED TO BECOME A MISSIONARY IN JAPAN, BUT HEALTH ISSUES PREVENTED HIM FROM DOING IT.

>>> ON OUR CALENDAR THIS WEEK, DECEMBER 6th IS ST. NICHOLAS DAY, WHICH HONORS THE EARLY CHRISTIAN SAINT WHO MANY BELIEVE WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR SANTA CLAUS.

ON DECEMBER 8th, BUDDHISTS OBSERVE BODHI DAY, COMMEMORATING THE DAY BUDDHA FOUND ENLIGHTENMENT, ACCORDING TO TRADITION, WHILE SITTING UNDER A BODHI TREE.

FOR CATHOLICS, DECEMBER 8th IS THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, WHICH CELEBRATES THEIR BELIEF THAT MARY WAS CONCEIVED WITHOUT SIN.

>>> MEANWHILE, CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD ARE OBSERVING ADVENT, THE TIME OF SPIRITUAL PREPARATION BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

IN BETHLEHEM, THE TRADITIONAL BIRTHPLACE OF JESUS, THE SEASON KICKED OFF WITH A SERIES OF FESTIVITIES AT MANGER SQUARE.

GERMANY CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF ITS FAMED CHRISTMAS MARKETS.

AND IN WASHINGTON, FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA UNVEILED THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

>>> FOR MANY PEOPLE, IT WOULDN'T FEEL LIKE CHRISTMAS TIME WITHOUT ALL THE SPECIAL SEASONAL MUSIC.

I LOOKED AT THE CENTRAL ROLE MUSIC PLAYS IN CONVEYING THE MESSAGES OF CHRISTMAS.

♪ HALLELUJAH ♪ >> Reporter: FROM THE RADIO IN THE MALLS TO THE CHURNS AND CONCERT HALLS, THE SACRED AND THE WHIMSICAL.

♪ IN THE ONE HORSE OPEN SLEIGH ♪ >> Reporter: CHRISTMAS MUSIC SEEMS TO BE EVERYWHERE RIGHT NOW.

>> HAS THERE EVER BEEN ANY OCCASION AROUND WHICH MORE SONGS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN?

I DON'T THINK SO, AND YOU KNOW ALL OF THAT DRAWS US IN, EVERY ONE OF THOSE SONGS, EVERY ONE OF THOSE NUANCES, THEY JUST DRAW US IN.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY?

THEY SAY "WELCOME, WELCOME."

♪ COME AND ADORE HIM ♪ >> Reporter: FOR CHRISTIANS, THE RELIGIOUS MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS IS CENTRAL TO THIS SEASON IN THEIR FAITH.

>> I THINK THE SONGS EMBODY THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.

>> Reporter: EILEEN GUENTHER IS PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY AT WESLEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SHE SAYS CHRISTMAS HYMNS FOCUSING ON BIBLICAL PROPHECIES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS HAVE BEEN PART OF THE CHURCH TRADITION FOR CENTURIES.

>> THE FIRST CAROLS WERE IN LATIN.

THAT WAS THE LANGUAGE OF THE CHURCH AT THE TIME CAROLS ORIGINATED IN THE MEDIEVAL ERA, AND THE PROCESSIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN SUNG IN LATIN.

♪♪ >> Reporter: TODAY, THERE CAN BE TENSION IN SOME CHURCHES ABOUT WHEN TO START SINGING CHRISTMAS MUSIC.

THOSE THAT STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE TRADITIONAL CHURCH CALENDAR WOULD NOT SING CAROLS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS DURING THE FOUR WEEKS OF ADVENT.

THEY START SINGING THOSE CAROLS ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND FOR THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS THAT FOLLOW, BUT SOME CONGREGATION MOEBS WANT TO START EARLIER.

♪ ALLELUIA ♪ FOLLOW, BUT SOME CONGREGATION MOEBS WANT TO START EARLIER.

♪ ALLELUIA ♪ >> THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO HEAR SACRED SONGS, AND THEY WANT THEM TO HEAR THEM IN A WORSHIP SERVICE, NOT JUST SOMETHING ON THE RADIO OR AT HOME.

AND IF YOU WAIT UNTIL CHRISTMAS AND THEN MAYBE THE FAMILY IS TRAVELING, THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE CHANCE TO HEAR CHRISTMAS SONGS IN A SERVICE.

♪ I REALLY CAN'T STAY BABY, IT'S COLT OUTSIDE ♪ >> Reporter: FOR DECADES, SINGER/SONGWRITER AMY GRANT HAS RECORDED CAROLS AND CHRISTMAS MUSIC THAT SHE HAS WRITTEN.

FIVE OF HER SONGS MADE THIS YEAR'S BILLBOARD LIST OF TOP HOLIDAY SONGS.

GRANT AND HER HUSBAND, COUNTRY STAR VINCE GILL, DO SOLD-OUT CHRISTMAS SHOWS AT NASHVILLE'S RYMAN AUDITORIUM WHERE THEY COMBINE RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR MUSIC.

GRANT DOES CHRISTMAS TOURS WITH OTHER ARTISTS AS WELL.

SHE SAYS MUSIC IS THE FASTEST WAY FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT EMOTIONALLY TO THE HOLIDAY.

>> IT CALLS TO SOMETHING DEEP INSIDE OF US, OUR COLLECTIVE MEMORY AND OUR LONGING, AND HOPE.

AND I DO THINK MUSIC IS WHAT DRAWS PEOPLE TOGETHER.

♪♪ >> Reporter: PROFESSOR GUENTHER SAYS FOR CHRISTIANS, CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYS SEVERAL IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL ROLES.

FIRST, IT HELPS TO TRANSMIT THE BIBLICAL STORY.

♪♪ FOR EXAMPLE, THE CAROL "O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL."

>> IT'S A PLAYLIST OF ALL THE CHARACTERS WHO WERE THERE.

THEY'RE WELCOMING PEOPLE TO BETHLEHEM.

YOU'VE GOT THE SHEPHERDS.

YOU'VE GOT THE ANGELS, AND YOU'VE GOT EVERYBODY SINGING IN JOYFUL PRAISE, "O COME LET US ADORE HIM."

♪ O, COME LET US ADORE HIM, CHRIST THE LORD ♪ >> Reporter: BASED ON HER OWN CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, GRANT AGREES THAT MUSIC CAN BE AMONG THE BEST WAYS TO LEARN THE CHRISTMAS STORY.

>> I CANNOT REMEMBER ONE SERMON.

BUT THE SONGS.

YOU KNOW, I HAD MEMORIZED PROBABLY 100 HYMNS, SOME OF THEM CHRISTMAS HYMNS, BY THE TIME I WAS 10 YEARS OLD.

AND TO ME, THAT'S HOW WE LEARN AND REMEMBER.

THAT'S HOW WE GET THE STORY.

♪ THE ANGEL SS SAW ♪ >> Reporter: GUENTHER SAYS CHRISTMAS MUSIC ALSO HELPS IMPART IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS, OFTEN WITHOUT PEOPLE EVEN REALIZING IT.

>> CAROLS AND ACTUALLY HYMNS ARE AMAZINGLY SUCCINCT THEOLOGICAL STATEMENTS.

THERE IS MORE THEOLOGY IN A FEW WORDS OF POETRY THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.

THERE IS MORE THEOLOGY IN A FEW WORDS OF POETRY THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE.

YOU CAN HAVE A WHOLE SERMON IN FOUR LINES.

>> Reporter: ONE OF HER FAVORITES IS "O HOLY NIGHT."

♪ IT IS THE NIGHT OF THE DEAR SAVIOR'S BIRTH ♪ >> IT'S A BEAUTIFUL MELODY, IT'S SOMEWHAT DRAMATIC, IT HAS KIND OF AN INTERESTING ACCOMPANIMENT, ALL THOSE ARE GOOD.

BUT THEN LOOK AT THE TEXT, PARTICULARLY THE THIRD VERSE.

"TRULY, HE TAUGHT US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

HIS LAW IS LOVE AND HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE.

THEN THIS -- CHAINS SHALL HE BREAK, FOR THE SLAVE IS OUR BROTHER, AND IN HIS NAME ALL OPPRESSION SHALL CEASE.

♪ AND ALL OPPRESSION SHA CEASE ♪ >> I THINK THAT IS OUR HOPE, A HOPE OF JUSTICE, A HOPE OF THIS SEASON.

WE TALK ABOUT PEACE, GOODWILL UNTO ALL PEOPLE AND THIS SAYS THAT SO SUCCINCTLY AND SO BEAUTIFULLY.

♪♪ >> Reporter: ANOTHER FAVORITE IS "JOY TO THE WORLD."

>> "JOY TO THE WORLD" IS A REALLY INTERESTING SONG.

PEOPLE THINK OF IT AS A CHRISTMAS SONG OR A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

IT ACTUALLY -- I HOPE I DON'T HURT ANYBODY -- BUT IT'S NOT.

IT'S A PARAPHRASE OF PSALM 98 BY ISAAC WATTS.

AS WE SING IT, IT'S BASICALLY A SONG OF JOY.

>> Reporter: BUT NEW CHRISTMAS CAROLS ARE ALSO BEING WRITTEN.

♪ AND HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER MORE ♪ FOREVER MORE ♪ >> Reporter: GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING GOSPEL ARTIST CHRIS TOMLIN HAS A NEW CHRISTMAS ALBUM "ADORE: CHRISTMAS SONGS OF WORSHIP," WHICH DEBUTED AT NUMBER ONE ON BILLBOARD'S HOLIDAY ALBUMS CHART.

♪ I HAVE TRAVELED MANY MOONLESS NIGHTS ♪ >> Reporter: IN 1992, GRANT RELEASED HER TRIPLE PLATINUM ALBUM "HOME FOR CHRISTMAS," WHICH INCLUDED THE SONG "BREATH OF HEAVEN: MARY'S SONG."

IT EXPLORED THE FEELINGS OF MARY AS SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH JESUS.

>> I REALIZED HOW UNIVERSAL IT WAS, THAT WE ALL HAVE THAT FEELING OF "NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH," BUT SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF MARY'S STORY, I MEAN, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME HUMANITY ACTUALLY TOUCHED THE DIVINE, LIKE IN FLESH AND BLOOD.

♪ AND I WONDER WHAT I'VE DONE ♪ >> Reporter: TO GRANT'S SURPRISE, THE SONG HAS BECOME A CLASSIC IN ITS OWN RIGHT, OFTEN SUNG AT CHURCH CHRISTMAS PAGEANTS.

>> THE SONGS THAT I'VE WRITTEN COME FROM SUCH SPECIFIC EXPERIENCES IN MY LIFE, AND TO ME THE AMAZING THING IS, TOTAL STRANGERS SINGING THEM, AT CHRISTMAS PATCHINS.

I'M GOING, WOW.

MUSIC IS BIGGER THAN -- CERTAINLY BIGGER THAN THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE IT.

♪ O, LITTLE TOWN ♪ OF BETHLEHEM ♪ HOW STILL WE SEE THEE LIE ♪ >> Reporter: GUENTHER SAYS SHE IS AWED AT THE TIMELESSNESS OF CAROLS THAT WERE WRITTEN SOMETIMES CENTURIES AGO AND STILL FEEL RELEVANT.

>> THE HOPES AND FEARS OF ALL THE YEARS, THE PHRASE FROM "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM."

I THINK ANYONE WHO IS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEWS TODAY CAN REALLY RELATE TO THAT.

THE TIMES ARE TRICKING THESE DAYS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF ANXIETY AND A LOT OF UNKNOWN.

THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE SEEMS TO BE FOREVER CHANGING, AND I THINK CAROLS HAVE A REALLY ANCHORING SENSE TO THEM.

♪ SILENT NIGHT ♪ HOLY NIGHT ♪ >> Reporter: FOR CHRISTIANS, WHETHER THE CAROLS ARE OLD OR NEW, THEY HELP CONVEY ULTIMATE MESSAGES OF THEIR FAITH.

♪ ALL IS BRIGHT ♪ >> THE MUSIC ALLOWS YOU TO FEEL THE PRESENCE OF HOPE, THE PRESENCE OF CHRISTMAS.

>> Reporter: AND THEY SAY THAT IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT.

♪ SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE ♪ >>> FINALLY, AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, MANY PEOPLE OF FAITH TRY TO GIVE EXTRA HELP TO THE NEEDY.

CHURCHES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN TAKING PART IN A SPECIAL ANTI-HUNGER PROJECT.

CONGREGATION MEMBERS PACK NONPERISHABLE MEALS THAT WILL BE SENT TO CHILDREN IN POVERTY-STRICKEN AREAS OF THE WORLD.

WE VISITED GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, WHERE SENIOR PASTOR JOHN SLYE SAID PACKING THE MEALS WAS A CONCRETE EXPRESSION OF THEIR CHRISTIAN FAITH.

>> WE FOCUS ON JUST THREE THINGS AT GRACE -- CHRIST, COMMUNITY AND COMPASSION.

AND COMPASSION FOR US IS PRACTICAL SERVICE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY.

WE GATHERED TOGETHER 1,500 PEOPLE TO FEED 100,000 HUNGRY BODIES.

>> OKAY.

THAT GONG MEANS THAT WE HAVE ALREADY PACKAGED 7,000 PEOPLES.

WE ARE WAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AT THIS POINT.

>> THE MEALS ARE COMPRISED OF FOUR INGREDIENTS -- A LONG GRAIN WHITE RICE, SOY PROTEIN, TEXTURED VEGETABLE SOY PROTEIN.

WE ALSO HAVE A DEHYDRATED VEGGIE MIX -- CELERY, CARROT, ONION, BELL PEPPER, CARROT, CABBAGE AND TOMATO, AND THEN, FINALLY, PROBABLY OUR MOST POTENT PART OF OUR MEALS IS A VITAMIN SASHAY PACK, WHICH HAS 21 DIFFERENT MINERALS, NUTRIENTS AND VITAMINS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR MALNOURISHED CHILDREN AND WHEN ALL THESE INGREDIENTS ARE ADDED TOGETHER AND COOKED WITH WATER IT KIND OF TAKES LIKE A CHICKEN RICE-A-RONI.

>> MOST OF THOSE MEALS ARE GOING TO GO TO SCHOOLS, OR ORPHANAGES.

WE LOVE THE FACT THAT MANY OF THEM IN THE PAST HAVE GONE TO SCHOOLS, BECAUSE PARENTS KNOW THERE'S A GOOD PFEIL MEAL FOR THEM AT THE SCHOOL.

THEY'LL SEND THE CHILD TO SCHOOL TO GET THE MEAL AND THEN THEY GET THE EDUCATION.

[ GONG SOUNDING ] >> OKAY.

WE'RE AT 74,000!

>> WHAT WE TELL PEOPLE IS THAT TO COME OUT TO THIS EVENT AND INSTEAD OF HEARING A SERMON, IN A TRADITIONAL SERVICE, INSTEAD OF HEARING A SERMON THEY COME HERE AND BE THE SERMON.

THIS WORLD IS FILLED WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT YOU ALMOST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START.

AND FOR US, WHEN YOU GATHER A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TOGETHER, THERE'S STRENGTH AND THERE'S ENCOURAGEMENT IN THAT AND SO WHAT WE SAY HERE IS TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE.

SO WE GATHER A LOT OF PEOPLE TOGETHER SO WE CAN MAKE A MUCH BIGGER IMPACT IN A VERY PRACTICAL WAY.

[ GONG SOUNDING ] >> WE'RE UP TO 81,000, 81,000 MEALS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIOGRAPHIES OF JESUS' LIFE -- MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN -- THERE'S ONLY ONE MIRACLE OF JESUS THAT'S REPRESENTED IN ALL FOUR BIOGRAPHIES, AND THAT'S JESUS FEEDING HUNGRY PEOPLE, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF HUNGRY PEOPLE.

SO WE THINK THIS EVENT IS SO JESUS.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M KIM LAWTON.

YOU CAN FOP US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK AND I'D LOVE TO CONNECT WITH YOU THERE AS WELL.

WATCH US ANYTIME ON THE PBS APP FOR iPHONES AND iPADS, AND MUCH MORE ON THE WEBSITE TO LISTEN TO OR WATCH EVERY PROGRAM.

JOIN US US @PBS.ORGANIZE/RELIGIONETHICS.

>>> AS WE LEAVE YOU, MORE CHRISTMAS MUSIC FROM GOSPEL ARTIST CHRIS TOMLIN.

♪ I BRING MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY ALL ♪ ADORE, COME LET US ADORE ♪ O, COME LET US ADORE HIM ♪ THE LORD, WORSHIP CHRIST THE LORD ♪ LET ALL THAT IS WITHIN US ADORE ♪♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS" IS PRESENTED BY -- A FAMILY-BASED FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO ITS FOUNDERS.

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