Community Christmas Celebration makes Joyful Sound

Photographer:  CarieAnn Wall

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas in North Texas, starting with the Community Christmas Celebration in Trophy Club on December 4, 2015. Hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, multiple choirs joined together to produce a joyful sound at an event featuring a live nativity and an international crèche display.

Nearly 800 people from the surrounding communities thronged through recreated streets of Bethlehem and were serenaded by the LDS Alliance Stake Choir under the direction of Jacob Bitter, the Chancel Choir Singers from Fellowship United Methodist Church, directed by Cheryl Jordan, the International Leadership of Texas Show Choir, directed by Stephanie Hein , the Show Choir, directed by Beth Ann Sands, and the Beck Elementary Choir, directed by Roel Garza.

“We are so thankful to have the opportunity to share Christmas sacred choral music with our community,” said Cheryl Jordan, FUMC choir director. “Musicians uniting and sharing music in community events like this one allow us to be a beacon of hope and a light into the world during this glorious season of Christmas.”

Strengthening the community was the inspiration behind the event. LDS choir director Jacob Bitter has a theory about why Christmas music is capable of drawing communities together.

“Music can be a doorway to memories, emotions, and experiences. When young, Christmas music is woven into one of, if not the most, thrilling times of the year. As we grow older, the music becomes an old friend, sweeping us back to the magical world experienced in times past. Many of the songs are simple and easy to learn and thus are accessible to the smallest of children, and remembered by the oldest of any generation.

“And as we mature, the music not only transports us to a younger time and place, but is enhanced as we come to more fully understand the power of the heavenly gift we celebrate. All good things come from God, and Christmas songs more than any other emphasize all that is positive and joyous about the human experience. God is Love, as the scripture says, and the abundance of Christmas songs full of hope and joy etch that concept deeper in our minds and hearts,” said Bitter.

Jordan agrees, “The world needs more hope, peace, joy and love. Composer Sir Malcolm Arnold said, ‘Music is the social act of communication among people, a gesture of friendship, the strongest there is.’”

“I believe that the general focus on unselfishly giving and helping creates a tangible energy and feeling that can permeate a community and lift its spirit. But to top it all off, the celebration of the arrival of an innocent, beautiful child is an experience that many can relate to and appreciate,” added Bitter.

This year’s participants would like to make the Community Christmas Celebration a recurring event with other organizations joining in.

“It was a great experience for my students,” said Beck Elementary choir director Roel Garza. “I would love to keep an on-going relationship with your community.”

The Fellowship United Methodist Church is hosting another musical event titled Carols to the Manger on Sunday, December 13th at 11:00 am. The FUMC Chancel Choir, Organist/Pianist Imre Pátkai, Handbell Ensemble, UNT String Quartet and Baritone Soloist Malcolm Payne present a music filled journey to the manger. This service includes a special message “Make it to the Manger” from Edlen Cowley, Senior Pastor. For more information visit http://www.fumctc.com.