Christmas concerts spread holiday spirit
Grace Baptist Church kicked off the holiday season with a series of free community Christmas concerts. The events were held at the church on Copper Hill Dec. 11–13.
“Finding Church” offered attendees a combination of musical Christmas selections, including many wellknown songs like “Do You Hear What I Hear?” In addition, the full orchestra and 120-person choir performed a Christian rendition of the popular song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” with Christian lyrics written by the writer Hugh Martin years after the original.
The orchestra and choir performed many contemporary and seasonal selection, along with a telling of Jesus Christ’s birth.
“We shared the Christmas story, the whole redemption story,” said Peter Beers, worship life pastor. “An important part of what we do at Christmas is put that moment of Christ’s birth into a larger picture so we can see what God has been doing all along.”
Nearly 6,000 people attended concerts held over three nights. Attendance was free, and Beers explained the audience gave the production a standing ovation every night. Despite the strong reception, the church does not advertise the event.
“We just want to communicate God’s love for people,” said Beers. “In today’s world, it is very important to make sure people don’t miss the true reason of Christmas.”
The Valencia Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began practicing for its annual Christmas concert in October. The church is hosting this event for the eighth year. This year it is titled “Son of God, Love’s Pure Light.”
The Christmas concert presents the biblical story of Christmas and Christ’s birth, set to a choir and orchestra. The performances include narrated visual presentations. The three performances of the concert were held Dec 12–13. The concert was offered free of charge.
“We love sharing our testimony of the savior, Jesus Christ,” said Richard Rich, the director and composer of the event. “It’s our opportunity for the spirit to bear witness of the infinite impact of the savior’s birth and to show our deepest reverence and love to our heavenly father for sending him.”
Christmas joy
Bethlehem SCV also hosted its Christmas concert, “Jam for Jesus.” This is the 24th year the church has hosted the event, which includes many world-class vocalists and musicians in the industry.
The event was originally started by Robby Robinson, music director for Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Robinson enlisted the help of his musician friends in the entertainment industry to put on a free rocking Christmas concert for the community.
In its 24th year, the concert features various musical styles from jazz to rock. Held one night every Christmas season, the concert hosted hundreds of attendees Tuesday night.
Santa Clarita United Methodist Church hosted its annual Christmas concert on Monday night. The concert, offered to the community for the last 28 years, featured performances by seven different groups.
“You really get that feeling of people coming together to perform for the love of God and music; it’s very welcoming,” said music director Christine Tavares-Mocha.
Performers in the chancel choir ranged in age from 3 years old to adults. Choirs sang Christmas songs, and the chancel choir performed 23 Christmas carols in three minutes. Handbell choirs of different ages also performed at the event.
Hundreds of people, many who don’t attend the church regularly, attended the event and enjoyed the annual Christmas concert, one of the longest-running Christmas traditions in Santa Clarita.
“We enjoy giving a free concert to the community,” Tavares-Mocha said. “This year we had many people tell us it was one of our best years. It really just puts you in the Christmas spirit.”