There is always a goose-bump moment as chills race up and down your spine at the Morinville Community Christmas Celebration.
It happens when the church is darkened and Ă©cole Notre Dame Choir walks down from the choir loft holding candles while Brian van Braband sings Silent Night.
For the 400 or so people attending this interdenominational service at St. Jean Baptiste Church on Dec. 18, this is a defining moment in creating the Christmas spirit.
The man responsible for launching this Christmas tradition 36 years ago was John Unsworth, a former high school band teacher who believed people of all denominations could celebrate in unison.
Over the years, this quaint tradition has grown and evolved, the players have changed but the commitment has never wavered.
This year’s master of ceremonies is Rene Chevalier. After retiring as a long-time employee of public works, Chevalier moved to Kelowna. He resided in the Okanagan a few years before returning to Morinville to be closer to family.
“Rene is very familiar and comfortable in that setting. He’s a very jovial man and I’m sure he’ll be very good in the role,” said Nadine Trenchard, celebration organizer.
The program includes a series of community groups ranging from Notre Dame Choir playing drums while they sing Little Drummer Boy and Morinville Public Elementary belting out I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas.
The Morinville Minstrels step up with Softly Falls the Snow while the St. Jean Baptiste French Choir gives participants a taste of C’est Noel, viens chanter.
And Eddie Bulger will once again lead the congregation in a five-song sing-along while a new group, Fathers House, ramps it up with a rock vibe.
“This is a special celebration for us. Everyone comes together with their different strengths. It’s an opportunity for people to take a break from a hectic life. There is no shopping, no buying presents. This is about singing about peace on Earth. We join hands and it’s the spirit of Christmas that shows up that night.”
The celebration starts at 7:30 p.m. Trenchard encourages people to come early as seating is snapped up quickly.
