"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light."

Last night, I went to L&C's Annual Holiday Gala Service of Sacred Song & Verse, the 38th Annual Holiday Gala.  The Chapel was decorated with Poinsettias and candles.

The Columbia Brass (Craig Gibson, Bruce Dunn, William Stalnaker, David Bryan, Jack Quinby = 3 of whom are associated with L&C) played "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "The Holly and the Ivy" as a prelude.  (I'm not sure I like their placement in the Chapel--I think it may have diminished their sound.)

L&C's new president, Barry Glasner, made the welcome speech.  He asked who else was there for the first time and who had been at the first Gala in 1972.  He pointed out that even though the program changes every year, the Gala is still about togetherness, creating familiarity and newness at the same time.

"One person's tradition is another's discovery." ~ Barry Glasner

The Introit, "Elevation" played by Chris Keady on the organ was a serene Christmasy beginning to the music to follow.  Antiphon involved the Alumni Choir, Cappella Nova, Columbia Brass, Timpani, and the Organ; despite their spread around the room, the large group kept everything together.

This was followed by a reading from Psalm 67 and a Congregational carol (O Come All Ye Faithful) in which the choir had an alternate 3rd stanza but was very difficult to hear.

The Distler piece FitzGibbon picked for the Gala was executed beautifully - "Singet Frisch und Wohlgemut" (trans. Sing brightly and cheerfully).

This was followed by a neat blues/jazz arrangement of "Go Tell It On the Mountain" for the brass.  The first verse was straight, and the choruses and verses to follow were all ornamented and/or swung.  In the 2nd round of the chorus they added a snap to the beat and got the congregation involved.

Sister Loretta Schaff read Isaiah 55 and the Women's Chorus sang "Scedryk" (the original version "Carol of the Bells" - Ukrainian) and "The Snow".  "Scedryk" was a cappella and "The Snow" had piano and a violin duo accompaniment--gorgeous, but not quite sure what feelings I was supposed to get while listening to it.

A Congregational singing of "Joy to the World" brought the reading of John 1: 1-4 and Reverend Mark Duntley's Reflections.  Duntley talked about traditions: decorations, compassion of the season all leading to his point of bringing light and love to others.  He mentioned an exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry, his family's Advent Calender (Christmas All Over the World), mumming, and a Ukrainian legend about a spider.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

"Hine Mah Tav" by Bernstein was sung by Cappella Nova from the side pews - a calm setting of Psalm 133.  The last Congregational hymn was "Silent Night".

"Ai, nama mamina" was a fun a cappella piece to listen to - very quick and in Latvian, a song about ancient Mummers.

Duntley closed the service reminding us to spread the light.  Keady's postlude, "Canzona", held everyone in the Chapel, and at its conclusion, everyone seemed calmer when they arrived.

I always enjoy going to this service.  It is almost a soothing thing at the end of the semester when everything is crazy.  A reminder of the holiday season and what it means to me.

Go in peace and shine in the Light