‘Carols at Christmas’: Southwestern Seminary’s ‘gift of love’ to Fort Worth

The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is offering a “gift of love” to the Fort Worth community at the beginning of the Christmas season with its annual “Carols at Christmas” production to be held Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. in MacGorman Chapel and Performing Arts Center on the seminary’s campus (2001 W. Seminary Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76115).

“Fort Worth has given much to Southwestern Seminary over the years. ‘Carols at Christmas’ is our opportunity to give back to the community we love,” said Southwestern Seminary President Adam W. Greenway. “I hope many will receive our gift of love as our seminary celebrates God’s ultimate gift to humanity in his Son, Jesus Christ, the true reason for this wonderful season.”

The free concert featuring traditional Christmas masterpieces is a production of the seminary’s School of Church Music and Worship to be performed by 180 voices—103 children in the International Children’s Choir and 77 adult singers in Southwestern Singers and Master Chorale—and at least 60 instrumentalists, including River of Praise Worship Band, Southwestern Steinway Players (on eight Steinway pianos), Southwestern Academy Players, Brass Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, and Guitar Ensemble.

“As I teach classes and attend student recitals in our School of Church Music and Worship at Southwestern Seminary and Scarborough College, I am continually amazed by our students’ musical talent and their desire to glorify God and encourage others with their talent,” said Joe Crider, dean of the School of Church Music and Worship. “‘Carols at Christmas’ affords our students and faculty the perfect opportunity to encourage our community with the best-loved songs of the season, all performed by our own family of student musicians and teachers.”

The concert, which will include 232 hand-lit candles and 216 roses, is produced by Leo Day, executive director of Southwestern Seminary’s Center for the Arts.

“Christmas is my favorite time of the year and our production of ‘Carols at Christmas’ kicks off the holiday season perfectly,” said Day, who is also a professor of voice at Southwestern Seminary and Scarborough College. Calling the efforts of hundreds of musicians a “labor of love,” Day said they participate “because we have great news to share: ‘I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11).’”

Crider added: “I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening than to be reminded of the incarnation of Jesus Christ in the form of beautiful music presented by musicians who truly love the One who created them for His glory!”

Although the concert is free, tickets are required and can be reserved here.