For the 42nd time, the annual Christmas in Christ Chapel worship celebration will begin on Friday Dec. 5, 2014, and will continue until Sunday Dec. 7.
As a tradition since 1973, Christmas in Christ Chapel is a time for the community to celebrate the holidays with one another. Each year a new theme is chosen to educate the audience about faith and theology. The choirs and symphony orchestra will lead the five services that host approximately 1,200 people each.
This year, the theme of the service is titled “Tender Rose, Starry Night” and will “ponder the cosmic significance of Jesus’ humble birth in light of scientific discoveries about the vastness and magnificence of the universe.”
“At first, celebrating Christmas with the cosmos as a backdrop sounds bizarre, but the song ‘Earth and Heaven,’ has the ability to help listeners come to a place where the boundaries we ourselves have created don’t exist. The text in combination with the dance’s choreography really help me visualize worlds, people and ideas coming together to exist simultaneously, just like how God and man came together on Christmas night,” President of Chapel Choir and Sophomore Sylvia Michels said.
“People should be very excited for the performances this year.”—Saskia Raether
Students and faculty have been discussing that it will be one of the most successful Christmas in Christ Chapel services that Gustavus has ever had.
“People should be very excited for the performances this year not only because of the live-stream, which is the first time Gustavus has offered it for off-campus viewers, but also the array of songs, dances, and readings are diverse and entertaining,” Soprano section Senior Saskia Raether said.
The production features music, poetry, prayer and dance while exploring cosmos dimensions and the significance of Jesus’ birth over 2,000 years ago, where about three-hundred and fifty students come together with their conductors and other members of the Gustavus community to make the traditional and memorable celebration happen.
“Everyone is really excited. The theme is very Christmas-y and so is our music. People are really getting into it. Chaplain Brian talked about music in C in CC and how it opens doors. I think it transcends a lot, it’s a universal language. We sing in different languages and if it is done right it will reach every person. Using music is a great way to showcase our talents and create a welcoming atmosphere,” Junior Choir member Kailey Holmes said.
Gustavus students preparing to take part in the celebration are eager to share the experience with the audience after spending numerous hours preparing.
The dates and times of the services occur on Friday Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as Sunday Dec. 7 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
This year, the celebration is especially unique because not only can families, alumni and friends that attend the ceremony witness all that it has to offer, but it will be live streamed for anyone that wants to take part in receiving the Christmas message.
“We are putting a lot more work into it this year because we are being filmed. We are just drilling the material over and over again and practicing everything so we can memorize all of it. We usually have a book with everything there for us. But everyone has been coming together and we know we need to spend the extra time on the songs. We will be ready and we know that what we are doing is presented to a larger audience, and we also have a larger amount of performers,” Holmes said.
Students are encouraging people to either attend the event, or stream it to share such a meaningful experience with the Gustavus community.
“People should attend to see how music connects many departments, faculty, and students who are involved in the Gustavus community. It’s a very interesting way to see how different passions and how involvement can come alive,” Junior Ger Vang said.
“Music connects many departments, faculty, and students who are involved in the Gustavus community.“—Ger Vang
The live streaming for the public will take place the evening of Saturday, Dec. 16 during the 7:30 p.m. service. The video player can be accesses by going online to gustavus.edu/CinCC, and will not be archived for viewers to watch at a later date due to copyright laws.
Anyone who is still interested in attending the service in person can pay $30 apiece by purchasing online at gustavustickets.com, or by calling the Gustavus Office of Marketing and Communication at 507-933-7520.
-Haley Bell