Community Christmas Celebration: an annual event that promotes unity and joy

By Linnea Doughman

Summoned by the return of the Christmas season, melodies echoed throughout Jeremiah Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 7th, 2025. Cedarville University’s annual community Christmas celebration commenced once again.

People from all walks of life congregated in the chapel to enjoy the university’s choral and instrumental ensembles.

Performer Madelyn Mowery, a senior Keyboard Pedagogy major, reflected that her favorite part of the concert was the instrumental music with the Scripture reading that occurred. 

“I loved hearing the [Christmas] story and then the [musical] arrangement,” Mowery said. “It was just beautiful.”

Mowery hoped that the community Christmas celebration created a space where the audience could consider the true meaning of Christmas.

“I hope that [the audience] thought about how amazing it is that God came to earth to save us, and that we get to be a part of his story even though we don’t deserve it,” Mowery said.

Sandra Entner, one of fifteen graduates from Cedarville College in 1959, was overjoyed to experience the university’s Christmas concert once again.

“[I am] able to look at the [Christmas] season with joy,” Entner said. 

Annalina Lysne, a senior Cyber Operations major, came to view the concert for her final humanities art experience assignment. However, she left the concert grateful for the opportunity it provided to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

“I really like being able to celebrate Christmas with other people who appreciate the Scriptures,” Lysne said. “I think doing it in an orchestral communal manner brings out something that you cannot get by yourself.”

One of Lysne’s favorite parts of the concert is the narrative Scripture reading.

“It has reminded me of the centrality of the gospel story,” Lysne said. “I really like that in the scripture reading they didn’t just read the birth story, but they also read the context of Christ’s life and the significance of [it].”

Vera Barber enjoys attending University’s Christmas concert every year with her family. However, this year’s concert meant more than continuing a tradition for Barber and her daughter, Amy. This year, it was a matter of mending from loss.

“I just lost my husband about three weeks ago,” Barber said. “We were married for fifty-eight years, and he’s in heaven, so it was really good to be here.” 

Tears formed in Barber’s eyes as she spoke about her husband and the joy the performance brought her amidst sorrow. 

Barber said, “We wondered if it would be too hard to come or not, but we decided we needed to come.”

Barber’s daughter chimed in with her thoughts about the performance.

“[The concert] was great,” Barber’s daughter said. “It was wonderful!”

Barber heartily agreed with her daughter, thankful both of them came to the concert this year.

At the end of the concert, the Jeremiah Chapel was filled with conversation and laughter. The joy of the season reverberated throughout the auditorium as people shared smiles and exchanged thoughts about the performance, rejuvenated by the music and the reminder of the Christmas story.

Linnea Doughman is a sophomore English major with a concentration in Editing and Publishing. In her spare time she loves writing creatively, going on strenuous hikes, capturing special moments through photography, and thrifting with friends.