The Celebration of Christmas, one of the year’s highlights at Pinnacle, is quickly approaching. Instrumentalists and singers are making their final preparations this week for the 4:00 and 7:00 pm performances on Sunday, December 12. Just like the Christmas season itself, with its quiet gazing at the manger and the joyous songs of the angels and shepherds, this year’s offerings will offer the sweet and lovely sounds of lullabies and the festival carols and anthems for choir, audience, organ and brass. Choirs of singers and handbells will add to the celebration, along with harp, percussion, guitar and piano.

Those lullabies will come from as far away as Germany, and as close as the Southwest. Max Reger sets a slumber song for Mary in his German romantic style. Conrad Susa sets traditional Spanish carols that originated in Arizona!

Carols from around the world include “O Holy Night” from France, the Russian setting of “Ave Maria” by Sergei Rachmaninoff and a traditional Polish rocking carol. How sweet is that?

What would a joyous Christmas be without the traditional English Carols? “Christmas Day” is a collection of several familiar English carols in a lovely setting by Gustav Holst. John Rutter brings the quiet side of Christmas in his beloved setting, “Candlelight Carol.” John Gardner sets an almost raucous setting of “Tomorrow Shall Be Our Dancing Day,” employing organ and tambourine to add to the jubilation.

Closer to home “Rise Up, Shepherds and Follow” and “The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy” are spirituals, recalling the joyous celebration of slaves from the US and the West Indies.  As they learned of the good news of Jesus’ birth from their owners they could only sing and shout with joy.

There is more, for sure, and I want to leave some surprises for your imagination. As we enter this holy season, join us to welcome the season in praise, prayer and song. Invite your family and friends to join in this Celebration of Christmas.