Ludwig van Beethoven, baptized on December 17, 1770, became one of the greatest composers in history, reshaping music through his bold symphonies, sonatas, and concertos—even as he battled personal hardship and eventual deafness. A gifted child raised under an abusive father, Beethoven supported his family by age ten and published his first work at twelve. His early masterpieces, such as the “Moonlight” Sonata, reflected both deep emotion and spiritual longing. From 1803 to 1812 he produced many of his greatest compositions, and although he could no longer hear the applause at the premiere of his Ninth Symphony, his music changed the world. Beethoven’s life and the work of other classical composers who shaped Christmas music remind us that uplifting music invites the Spirit into our hearts—filling us with peace, hope, and joy as we celebrate the  ...