Another successful Christmas Festival happened at St. Olaf College over the weekend – complete with live streaming – it’s the 105th year. A sprinkling of white snow made the campus look “Christmasy” on Sunday. This year’s theme, Light Dawns, Hope Blooms, was reflected in the music and set design. Five choirs and an amazing orchestra, all current students, sing and play their hearts out and it’s beautiful service to begin the Advent season, with hope.
The song Stay With Us was especially meaningful to me this year, and the choir’s signature piece, Beautiful Savior, always concludes the concert as the choirs spill into the aisles and sing in “surround” sound. Their voices fill the auditorium with sweet, sweet music.
Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be thine!
~Gesangbuch, Minister, 1677 trans. Joseph H, Seiss
There are four performances. I have been the ticket coordinator for twelve years. Every year it’s like a jigsaw puzzle and when it’s over, and 11,748 people have been seated, I sigh and call it a Christmas Miracle.
Three stunning Christmas trees displayed in the student center, Buntrock Commons, create a welcoming and festive atmosphere. A Scandinavian Buffet, complete with Lutefisk and Lefse, is offered in the ballroom to add a another special touch for Christmas Festival at this college of Norwegian heritage, rooted in the Christian tradition.
A surprise came through inter-campus mail Tuesday afternoon… a hand-made wooden pen by an employee who sent it to me as a thank you gift for helping him with his concert tickets. He loves to make pens out of reclaimed wood from different areas of campus…my new pen is from Skoglund’s original gym floor where the Christmas Festival performs. In his note he said, in part, “the place you find seats for so many people.” I have admired his pens but never thought I’d be the recipient of one. I was thrilled, overwhelmed and grateful for this delightful surprise on a Tuesday afternoon.
