Judson University alumni and students perform a Christmas Concert of Worship

This year we need to celebrate Christmas more than ever. We have to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and praise him because we are weak without Jesus, and especially now we have to keep our faith alive and strengthen it.

Dr. Warren Anderson, director of Judson University's Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts, understands that and was happy to present a beautiful Christmas Concert of Worship at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the university's Herrick Chapel in Elgin.

The concert was held in an intimate environment following necessary safety measures and was simulcast to Creekside South Room 126 and Thulin Auditorium. Viewers were also able to watch the concert via Facebook Live.

In his introductory speech Dr. Anderson referred to Philippians 3:13-14, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Chicago area vocalist, entertainer and Judson alumni Jeorge Holmes joined this beautiful Christmas concert as a guest artist. His brilliant vocal technique, warm timbre and sincere presentation lit up the evening and made it unforgettable.

Holmes provides vocal entertainment and support for many nonprofit and Christian organizations around the Northwest and the Chicago area. Honored by the Daily Herald in 2012 as one of 15 Fox Valley People of the Year, Holmes is loved and appreciated by many Chicago area residents and is known simply as Jeorge.

Holmes graduated from Judson in 1989 and is an adjunct faculty member at Judson University. Most of his adult life he has served in ministry, education and the musical field, with 27 years of full-time pastoral ministry with two churches in California and two in Elgin. Also, eight years ago, Holmes established and led "Love Elgin Day," which partners with 40 churches, 30 businesses and city service groups to provide health and other services to thousands of community members as a faith-based effort to demonstrate the love of Jesus.

Certainly, his participation in the DCWPA Christmas Concert was highly anticipated and warmly received. A brilliant pianist and accompanist, Murna Hansemann demonstrated her ability to create an unforgettable ensemble with a soloist and show how the sounds of piano can masterfully complement the sounds of a human voice.

Being a talented musician, Hansemann doesn't only artfully play piano and organ but is also excellent in playing violin, saxophone, bassoon, accordion, and other instruments. As a pianist, she accompanies many vocal artists in the Fox Valley area. In 2012, Hansemann and Holmes collaborated to produce the CD "Hymns of Faith."

The duo presented a great number of Christmas favorites during that unforgettable night at Herrick Chapel. "O Holy Night" by Adolphe Adam impressed the audience with its sincerity and warmth. Holmes demonstrated nice vocal passages and a touching presentation of this beautiful song.

It was followed by an impressive Black spiritual "I Wonder as I Wander"/"Sweet Little Jesus Boy" by John Jacob Niles and Robert MacGimsey. After that emotional and deep composition Jeorge presented a powerful and sensitive "Mary, Did You Know?" by American singer and songwriter Buddy Greene. Holmes demonstrated his wide diapason performing "The Birthday of a King" by William Neidlinger and his inspiration and excellent vocal technique performing "The Christ of Christmas" by C. Berry and D. Blackley.

Holmes' presentation of everyone's favorites "Let it Snow," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "The Christmas Song," "White Christmas" and "All is Well" lifted everyone's mood and created that special festive feeling, so needed and so important for each of us these days.

This concert also presented the talent and mastership of Judson alumni and students. Judson alumna Michelle Osakada performed "Joy to the World" by George Frideric Handel on marimba. The deep, rich, and mellow sounds of this beautiful instrument were followed by a video that demonstrated a beautiful recording of "Carol of the Bells" by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych presented by Judson Piano Ensemble under the directorship of Dr. Sojung Hong.

Benjamin Johnson, a senior piano performance major, performed a famous composition called "Christmas Time is Here" written by Vincent Guaraldi. This warm and relaxing song with its jazzy sounds brought sweet memories and touched everyone's heart. Johnson's awesome piano playing technique added a beautiful touch to this masterpiece.

It was followed by a video that demonstrated a recording of "O Magnum Mysterium" by Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria that was performed five years ago by Judson Chamber Singers under the directorship of Dr. Josh Jones. "Constant Jazz Quartet" was happy to present "O Come, All Ye Faithful," a Christmas carol written by English hymnist John Francis Wade. The group demonstrated its interesting, joyful and energetic arrangement of this piece. Everyone was also happy to watch a video of a holiday favorite "Sleigh Ride" by L. Anderson performed by the Judson Percussion Ensemble directed by professor Michael Folker.

At the end of this beautiful concert, Anderson gave a powerful and inspirational speech and reminded everyone that we all have to stand on the certainty that God is here and that He takes care of us. We all need to love each other and firmly believe in God.

The evening ended with the powerful and inspiring sounds of one of the most beautiful songs ever - "Christ is Born" by Steve Amerson and Lavon Gray with music by Giacomo Puccini and arrangement by Cliff Duren. This classical anthem became a beautiful conclusion of the concert.

To watch this concert online, go to Judson University's YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/JudsonBlueCrew. It has most of the songs that were presented during that beautiful evening. In the future, this concert should also be available at www.facebook.com/JudsonU/.

As author Suzie Eller said, "Jesus exchanges our hurts for joy." Let's stand up tall together and praise Jesus Christ and His holy birth. God has a plan for us, and it is beautiful. Merry Christmas!