Eastiew Community Church
Eastview Community Church

Today at Eastview

"One Small Child" One Terrific Concert

Philip Wiebe - 2007-12-11

There is no disputing the popular role choral music has played as part of Christian culture over the ages: for hundreds of years, it has been one of the Christian community's most adored art forms. In Christmas traditions especially, choirs have been used to great effect to spread the good news of Jesus' birth. For Eastview specifically, a Christmas choir program traditionally comprises a special part of the advent season, as far as a church less than twenty years old can have such tradition. And this year's presentation offering, entitled One Small Child, was in every way worthy of the wonderful heritage.

Christmas Choir Program

The 35 voice-strong choir performed twelve songs which, along with a readers' theatre interspersed among the various melodies, narrated the Christmas story alternately from an omniscient perspective and then from the perspectives of a few key characters - Mary, Joseph, and the disciple John. The musical selection included beloved songs like O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night, combined with newer favourites like Child of God and Little Town of Bethlehem. Beautifully accompanied by Arlene Neufeld and Sandi Hamm on piano and keyboard respectively, the singers' dulcet tones were a treat for a sanctuary full of appreciative listeners.

Special thanks must be given to Monica Kornelsen, choir director and the driving force behind the entire evening, an event that does not happen without a great deal of sacrifice and planning. (The choir alone had been practicing weekly for this evening for three months!) However, ever humble, when asked what she thought of the whole evening, Monica herself was nothing but grateful: her exact words were "A huge thank you to everyone," referring to the numerous on- and off-stage supporting players without whom the evening would not have become a reality.

Now the applause has died down and undoubtedly many in the church are moving forward in preparation for the other upcoming Christmas events (four Christmas Eve services don't plan themselves, after all). However, the choir and the entire cast and crew of this One Small Child concert can take great joy in knowing that their voices have not been lost in the often-overwhelming noise of the season; rather, they have added yet another superb chapter into the growing and already-proud legacy of Christmas choral productions at Eastview Community Church.