In 2015, Christina recorded an a-cappella rendition of the traditional Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” which is also still on YouTube. I just stumbled on a selection of it on an Instagram Reel, and it gave me a fresh reminder of how much Christina Grimmie’s image and voice have marked these holy seasons for me and for so many other people, even today—8 years and 6 months since she was gunned down by a deranged concertgoer at an open meet-and-greet after a show in Orlando, Florida on June 10, 2016.
Christina loved Christmas, and never hesitated to share the reason why: her deep faith and love for Jesus Christ. Her faith still bears fruit today and her love still touches people’s lives through videos, which—even when she sang secular pop songs (which was most of the time)—were crafted with her great desire to give of herself and use her phenomenal vocal and musical talent to reach out and make the Internet a more human place, a place of encouragement and friendship.
This LINK will take you to that Instagram Reel I shared. The full song (nearly three beautiful minutes long) is available on YouTube at this LINK2. For a post I wrote in 2017 about “A Christina Grimmie Christmas,” open this LINK3.
As we prepare for the coming of Christ in days to come, many people (including me) will find encouragement once again in the joyful soul of Christina Victoria Grimmie (March 12, 1994 — June 10, 2016).
