Three Free Performances Planned for Good Shepherd Chapel Nov. 22-23
A beloved annual college tradition and community favorite, Lancaster Bible College will present its 2024 Christmas concerts beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 in Good Shepherd Chapel on LBC’s Lancaster campus at 901 Eden Road. Two additional performances are planned for 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov 23.
The free Christmas concerts, titled “Gloria in Excelsis—An Advent Celebration,” feature several LBC ensembles in performances that weave together a variety of music, dance and Scripture to celebrate the Christmas season. LBC students, staff and faculty spend months preparing this captivating performance, which will include Antonio Vivaldi’s masterpiece for orchestra and chorus, “Gloria in D Major.”
Translated from Latin to English, “Gloria in Excelsis” means “Glory in the Highest.” Long before the phrase appeared in Handel’s Messiah, it appeared in God’s Word. In Luke 2, an angel appeared to the shepherds in the field, with the news that the Savior had been born. Then, a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared along with the angel, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”
Remarked LBC President Dr. Tommy Kiedis, “As we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas, we begin to experience a small sense of the anticipation God’s people felt as they awaited Christ’s coming. Historically, this time is called Advent—a season of the Church calendar focused on anticipating the arrival of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah and King, acknowledging both their waiting for the birth of a Savior and our waiting for His return. The angel’s words broke the tension of the waiting world. ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’
“This was good news of great joy,” Dr. Kiedis continued. “And it still is. Christ is real. The Bible is true. God is writing an overarching narrative where He restores His world and reconciles His people through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Glory in the highest! Gloria in Excelsis!”