The 66th Feast of Lights Focuses on True Meaning of Christmas

This year marked the 66th in a longstanding tradition by the University of Redlands, aimed at celebrating the season, spirit and meaning of Christmas. The 66th annual Feast of Lights event was held last weekend at the university's Memorial Chapel. An area staple since 1942, the Feast of Lights has become one of the university's most popular traditions and has been recognized nationwide. It serves as a service of worship, where the nativity story is retold through creative means, including dramatization, spoken word, tableau, song and instrumentals. The Feast of Lights retells the Christian story of the birth of Jesus and celebrates his birth. As event leaders explained, "[Christmas] is not about the presents or money but about love, charity and the celebration of the Messiah's birth." John Honor was a newcomer to the show this year and summed up the weekend-long event as, "Outstanding." Adam Gonser was there to support his girlfriend, Alexandra Bidwell, who performed as a madrigal singer. "It was wonderful," Gonser said. "The orchestra and choir together were fantastic." The Feast of Lights was separated in four parts: The Preparation (representing season of advent), The Birth of the Messiah (representing the season of Christmas), The Rejoicing (representing the season of joy), The Ceremony of Candle Lighting (representing the season epiphany), and The Procession of Adoration, with an intermission after the The Birth of the Messiah and before The Rejoicing. Throughout the feast the audience was encouraged to engage and participate, with the performance often inviting the congregation to sing along to hymns. The Feast of Lights had a focal point from which much of the textual and spiritual themes derived — words and songs selected pertained to various Christian teachings, including those of the prophet Isaiah and narratives from the Gospel of Luke. John Walsh, the chaplain and narrator of the Feast of Lights and a religious studies professor at the University of Redlands, said he felt "it is amazing being able to celebrate and share the true meaning of Christmas with the community through spiritual themes." A moving part of the event was when the lights dimmed and the congregation stood as the choir and musicians performed The First Noel, arranged by Mack Wilberg. As the Feast of Lights came to an end the congregation was invited to sing Silent Night in a version arranged by John Rutter. Many audience members said they were "touched" by the performances, made possible by the dozens of actors, professors and mentors who worked to bring it together. Performers rehearsed regularly for weeks, working with event organizers in an effort to give what they hoped were "profound" performances. Chase Nissen, a sophomore at the University of Redlands who served as a percussionist, said, "Its a lot of work. There's a lot of practicing to be done. The rehearsals are generally three hours or so but its all very rewarding and its a great experience." "Getting to experience it all with the students is wonderful," said Nicholle Andrews, director and choral instructor of the Feast of Lights. "The students take such pride in what they do and take ownership of the celebration, which is really exciting." [End] WHAT: Feast of Lights WHEN: Dec. 6, 7 and Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at 4 p.m. ***AS THERE ARE SEVERAL DATES AND TIMES FOR THIS EVENT YOU CAN PICK ONE TO ATTEND, WHICHEVER IS MOST CONVENIENT**** WHERE: Memorial Chapel, University of Redlands 1220 E. Colton Avenue, Redlands, CA 92373 TICKETS: $25 General Public $15 for seniors 65 and over $10 Students with valid ID $ 5 University of Redlands Students The ticket office is located in the 1st floor of Hunsaker Center at the University of Redlands. You can reach the ticket office at 909-748-8116. For more information on the Feast of Lights events, visit: www.redlands.edu/FeastofLights [END] Christmas season is here. Shopping is at a peak and money seems to be rustling about everywhere; it's all about Santa Claus and presents. However, the 66th annual Feast of Lights at the University of Redlands proved otherwise by expressing in a unique and extravagant way the true meaning of Christmas. The University of Redlands' 66th annual Feast of Lights was held on December 6, 7, 8, and 9 at the Memorial Chapel at the University of Redlands. The Feast of Lights has been an ongoing tradition since 1942 and has become one of the most popular traditions at the University, being recognized nation-wide. It serves as a service of worship celebrating where the nativity story is retold through dramatization, spoken word, tableau, song, and instrumentals. The Feast of Lights does not only retell a popular Christian story, but it also celebrates the birth of the Messiah which is, in essence, the sole purpose of Christmas. The spectacle brought to remembrance the true meaning of Christmas to the community of Redlands amidst the Christmas season that throughout the years has been misinterpreted as a "materialistic" holiday. As leaders of the event explained, "[Christmas] is not about the presents or money but about love, charity, and the celebration of the Messiah's birth." Whether a follower of Christian faith or not spectators assured that the magnitude of its incredible dramatization made an overwhelming feeling of joy inevitable. John Honor, a spectator and new-comer at the Feast of Lights was one of the many people truly moved by this worship ceremony. Honor summed up the event in one word,"Outstanding." Adam Gonser, another specter at the event who was there supporting his girlfriend Alexandra Bidwell, a Madrigal Singer at the Feast of Lights, agreed with Honor. "It was wonderful. The orchestra and choir together were fantastic," Gonser said. The Feast of Lights was separated in four parts: The Preparation (representing season of advent), The Birth of the Messiah (representing the season of Christmas), The Rejoicing (representing the season joy), The Ceremony of Candle Lighting (representing the season epiphany), and The Procession of Adoration with an intermission after the The Birth of the Messiah and before The Rejoicing. Throughout the feast the audience was very much engaged, with the performance often inviting the congregation to sing along to hymns. The Feast of Lights had a focal point from which much of the textual and spiritual themes derived from; there were words and songs selected that pertained to different Christian teachings including teachings of the prophet Isaiah and narratives from the Gospel of Luke. John Walsh, the chaplain and narrator of the Feast of Lights and religious studies professor at the University of Redlands explained how it is amazing being able to celebrate the share the true meaning of Christmas with the community through spiritual themes. Spectators observed the lighting ceremony to be the most moving part of the "feast." Lights dimmed and the "congregation" stood as the choir and musicians performed The First Nowell arr. Mack Wilberg (b. 1955). As the Feast of Lights came to an end the congregation was invited to sing Silent Night arr. John Rutter (b. 1945). While the Feast of Lights was a grand success and many people were touched by the incredible performance, the event would not have been possible were it not for the performers, professors, and mentors that brought it all together. Performers rehearsed intensely and worked in coalition with the Feast of Lights leaders to display the best performance. Chase Nissen is a sophomore at the University of Redlands and served as a percussionist for the 66th annual Feast of Lights. "Its a lot of work. There's a lot of practicing to be done. The rehearsals are generally three hours or so but its all very rewarding and its a great experience," Nissen said. "Getting to experience it all with the students is wonderful," Nicholle Andrews, director of the feast of lights and choral instructor, said. "The students take such pride in what they do and take ownership of the celebration which is really exciting."