Smoke Signals™ Online - Chapel Choirs Christmas program set for Dec. 7 and 8

Chapel Choirs Christmas program set for Dec. 7 and 8

Lessons and Carols based on Westminster tradition

By Charlene Terrell
The Big Canoe Chapel Choir, under the leadership of Lamar Helms, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 and Monday, Dec. 8. A reception in the Broyles Center will follow each event. The performances are free; however, tickets will be available during Stand Around or in the Chapel office in November--for as long as they last.

The annual Big Canoe Chapel Choir Christmas Program

This writer interviewed Choir Director Lamar Helms in preparation for this article. When he was asked to describe the upcoming Christmas Choir Program, he said, "It is a progression of lessons and carols based on the English Westminster tradition and the service is one whose format changes little, including the carols that are sung.

"Although a few new or different carols are introduced, the program remains constant," Lamar continued, "because the events of Advent remain the same. That's why it will be a time to sit, listen and reflect on the music and the message of Scripture and the comments about the Scripture as we allow the Christ Child's advent to happen afresh in our hearts and minds. The Choir's presentation, the adorning of the Chapel and the reception afterward should make the evening a sensory event using sounds, sights, smells and tastes of the Advent Season to bring about renewal and rebirth."

Lamar described the setting of the program thusly: "At the beginning of the program, the Chapel is unadorned and the darkness is broken by the light of a single candle. From that darkness comes a light that grows from dimness to the full Light that we celebrate in Christ's birth. The sanctuary is also unadorned - no greenery in place, no pine boughs, no poinsettias, no holly nor ivy. "

Lamar further described the scene as follows: "As the program progresses into the unadorned Chapel, all the sights and smells of evergreens and all the other traditional decorations are ceremonially added following the light. It is as if the desert slowly blooms, much like Isaiah described. This will be symbolic of the coming of Christ into our lives once again and our lives are also given opportunity to bloom with God's love and grace."

He added, "Our music moves from prophesy to annunciation, to the waiting Bethlehem, to the strangers that wander in, to the angels' celebration and then the lullabies accompanying the baby Jesus' birth. Through our music we hope to announce the lesson that in the first Adam, there is death and in Jesus, the second Adam, all are come alive."

The service will close with a tribute to the Christ Child in the form of an excited welcome, an arrangement by John Rutter, "Jesus Child."

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