This Christmas video was filmed in 2015 and was the first video that Spark's director produced. The video was created for Bryce Romney's YouTube channel and it featured many Spark members (though Spark wasn't formed until the fall of 2016).

Baby Jesus Miracle: The video had to be filmed in just one afternoon and evening and the baby Jesus for the video didn't materialize until just before the filming of the baby scenes. For weeks we had searched for a baby to no avail and were just finishing the filming of the indoor scenes at The Shops at Riverwoods when someone in our group noticed a baby in its father's arms through the exterior glass doors. We approached the father and asked to take a peek at the baby (who happened to be the perfect age and size for the part). When asked if he would like his child to be in the music video as baby Jesus, the father consulted with his wife and agreed. The baby is listed in the credits as "Miracle baby from Payson" because of the prayers and pleading offered heavenward to find a baby for the video. Through spiritual means we were assured days before the filming that we would find a baby Jesus, but we had no idea that the baby would come right to our door at precisely the right moment.

SPARK was invited to make a Christmas video for the 2016 #LightTheWorld initiative and we were very excited, however, there were a few obstacles to overcome.

Squaw Peak Miracle: The mountain overlook location we wanted was supposed to be locked up for winter before our shoot, but it somehow stayed open for a few extra days.

Licensing Miracle: The song licensing was not approved before we did the recording and filming and we were very worried that we might be spending a lot of time and money for nothing. After praying to ask the Lord’s will, the Spirit said, “Move forward with the project,” so we offered more prayers and even fasted and the licensing came through (after the recording and filming were already completed).

Church Bible Video Footage Miracle: We planned to use church Bible video footage in our video, but approval never came through, so we decided to forget it. A member of Spark sent our director the following message, “…I keep feeling prompted that we need to have footage of Christ and His life in this video...I can't ignore this prompting. Even if nothing gets done about it, I needed to tell you. Christ is the focus of our lives and our group and I'm just feeling like we need to show that."

​Because of this member's message (and because the limited footage for the bridge of the song left the video feeling like it was missing something), we called the church licensing department again and they answered. They said they hadn’t even looked at our request yet, but promised to send it to the right department. The next day, we called to follow up and the woman in charge said that she had sent the request, but ours was one of many others. When we asked if we could check back later that day for an update, the woman informed us that she would be leaving work early. It was Friday, December 10th, and the video was supposed to be posted that day. A few desperate prayers went up including one that said, “Heavenly Father, if you want us to be able use the footage, please make it happen.” Within about an hour, approval came by email and we were able to complete the video that night.

We filmed the video for "Sinking Deep" in November 2017 with plans for a December release, however, things turned out differently than planned (for the better).

"Reflections of Christ" Images Miracle: One day we got the idea to ask Mark Mabry (whom we didn't know at the time) if we could include his photo images depicting Christ's life in our music video. The very next morning, he miraculously called our director (about another project). When she asked permission, he was very gracious and agreed to let us use his images. The complete collection of images can be seen at:
​https://reflectionsofchrist.myshopify.com/

​Easter Release Miracle: The video ran into problems and could not be released in time for Christmas. This was very disappointing and we sadly put the project "on the shelf." As spring approached, we had the idea to try to release the video with an Easter theme by removing the nativity scenes. We were able to complete the video in time and it ended up being something we were very proud of. We released the video before Easter of 2018 and it was even better-received by the public than it would have been at Christmas (due to the heavy volume of Christmas videos that had been released).

​The "slideshow" directly below is themed for Christmas and our official "Sinking Deep" video released for Easter is below that.

Scott & Ryceejo, a popular husband and wife vocal duo, invited Spark to sing on their Christmas album. This was an honor, topped only by their invitation to collaborate on a Christmas music video with them! Check out their album at the links in the music video description box!

Extra-help Miracle: Right before the shoot, we were offered much-needed help by a friend-of-a-friend. This helper ended up bringing in another friend at the last minute that made the video complete. Here's what happened: To help flesh-out the storyline, we included some shots of a few random couples and groups who were passing by at The Shops at Riverwoods (where the video was filmed). Toward the end of the shoot, we decided we wanted to film someone who was all alone and maybe in need of a friendly gesture. We looked and waited for quite a while, then "he" showed up to pick up his friend (our helper). At his friend's request, he agreed to be part of the video. In the shot, he is holding a small, adorable dog and sitting all alone--which created a needed contrast to the other background people we filmed. If we had quit searching, we would have missed the opportunity to include him (and the adorable dog). It's one of our favorite parts of the video.

Miracle of Generosity: All along, we planned to feature the video only on Scott & Ryceejo's YouTube channel. However, after the release of the video, they agreed to let us feature the video on our YouTube channel as well. Through their graciousness, more people will receive the message of the video which is all about the true meaning of Christmas.​

We had a wonderful evening giving away "Nice Notes" packets to help #LightTheWorld in downtown Salt Lake City. (We also loved running into our friends from Hi Five Live that are pictured with us here.)

"Nice Notes" are messages you write to people (friends or strangers) to bring them a little Christmas cheer. Words of affirmation or encouragement are some of the best gifts you can give--and they are FREE! 

Watch the video below to see our little adventure! (If you look carefully, you will see the "grabber" toy that made its way into several of our Christmas video shoots.) 

After giving away over 100 "Nice Notes" packets in downtown SLC (to help people write and share their own "Nice Notes"), we celebrated the Christmas season with a nice dinner (and an even nicer view of the Salt Lake City temple). Ryan's wife, Margaret, and Noelle's husband, Mason, joined us.

​After dinner, we enjoyed a video showing our year-in-review, then wrote "Nice Notes" to each other. What could have just been a quickly-jotted line or two in each card, turned into sentimental messages of appreciation that warmed hearts and bonded this group even tighter. ​That's the power of "Nice Notes." (See the end of this blog to learn how writing positive messages can even save lives!)

In awe of the close-up view of the SLC temple

Camille demonstrating how she will use the new "grabber" she won.

What's sweeter? The Creme Brulee or these girls? (The photog hit the video button.)

Year-in-review video.

A little tipsy on water.

Just write a short message and send or hand-deliver it to a family member, a serviceman, a child in the hospital, an elderly friend in a care center, your neighbor, or even a complete stranger.

Let us know how it goes! Post a picture on social media of you writing or delivering your "Nice Notes" with the hash tag #LightTheWorld and tag @sparksingers!

There really is power in sharing "Nice Notes!" ​

​Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good NOTE!

​​LOVE YOU ALL! XOXO

Enjoy these stunning images from Reflections of Christ set to "Sinking Deep" by Spark Singers! 

HOW OUR INTENDED CHRISTMAS VIDEO BECAME OUR EASTER VIDEO
We recorded the song and filmed the video for "Sinking Deep" in the fall of 2017 with the intention to release it as a Christmas video. It wasn't ready in time, so we removed the nativity images and released it for Easter of 2018. The song works perfectly for a Christmas or Easter theme (as you can see when you watch both the slideshow above and the official music video below). 

STORY BEHIND THE SONG
"Sinking Deep" is a devotional song written in just 2 hours (both lyrics & music). Songwriters Aodhan King and Joel Davies wanted to write a song about the idea of sinking deep into God’s presence and His love for us.They said, “We prayed and the words just came out and it felt like it was God speaking to us.” The song portrays that in God’s presence you feel wide awake, you’re drawn by His grace, and you are stirred to change.