Michigan—As Kenneth Logan played Bach’s "In Dulce Jubilo" on the Pioneer Memorial Church Casavant organ, a sense of expectancy filled the church sanctuary. The lights dimmed, handbells rang forth, and the thirty-second annual Andrews Academy Feast Of Lights began.

Months of planning and preparation culminated in this breathtaking evening—the academy’s Christmas gift to the community. And what a gift it was!

The audience was invited to sing traditional carols and participate in responsive readings. They were delighted with Christmas music presented in a wide variety of musical styles and interpretations. Selections included the contemporary handbell arrangement, "Fanfare Celebration," the orchestra’s "A Christmas Tradition," the concert band’s "A Christmas Festival," featuring traditional carols, and others by instrumental ensembles. Each group, under the direction of H. Dean Boward, powerfully presented their musical gifts.

The six academy choirs—men’s and women’s choruses, chorale, Silhouettes, an octet, and mass choir—offered their musical gifts in the form of spirituals, contemporary compositions, and arrangements of traditional carols from around the world, sung in Italian, Latin, Spanish, and English, and directed by Mark Becker. Students and alumni overflowed the platform for the traditional singing of "Hallelujah" from Handel's Messiah, accompanied by orchestra and organ.

As the program concluded, singers carried candles and encircled the sanctuary while singing "Silent Night" in German, Spanish, and English. Part of the Feast Of Lights charm, according to Mark Becker, producer, was the ambiance of sound and light—ever-changing light. The Star of Bethlehem radiated out through lights outlining platform woodwork and arches, lights on trees, lights from aisle candles, and candle lights carried by students and alumni. And then outside, luminaries lined the sidewalks leading away from the church. The light symbolized Andrews Academy’s gift—the Light of Christ—spilling forth to the community and beyond.

Whether praying, reading, playing, or singing, the Feast Of Lights message can be summarized in the words of the Men’s Chorus song, "Sing Out the News!" that Jesus Christ is born.

Mark Becker, Andrews Academy public relations