Hi.

I'm Rob Manuel, President at DePaul University.

I'm delighted to welcome you to this year's performance of Christmas at DePaul.

It's a distinct honor to present the story of Christmas by showcasing the musical and theatrical talents of DePaul's faculty, staff, students and friends.

We're thrilled to have this opportunity to share this beautiful, and moving performance with viewers like you from across the country.

At DePaul, our Catholic and Vincentian mission is at the heart of everything we do.

For 125 years we have helped people of all backgrounds reach their full potential by providing access to high quality education.

Our mission calls on us to serve the common good and to appreciate and respect the dignity of every human being.

That's why the spirit of Christmas is alive every single day across our diverse community.

DePaul students learn by doing and this performance is a wonderful example of that.

Christmas at DePaul is presented almost entirely by students, staff, faculty and alumni.

And not just performers, but all the lighting, the sound, video and broadcasting are done by them.

As you celebrate your own faith tradition this holiday season, my family and I wish you much happiness, health and peace.

And now we invite you to enjoy Christmas at DePaul.

Announcer: From DePaul University in Chicago, we present a retelling of the story of the birth of Christ in word and song: Christmas at DePaul.

[music] ♪ Sing praise to the King our Lord ♪ ♪ He is the king that's born to us this day ♪ ♪ King of kings and Lord of lords ♪ ♪ He is the King of kings ♪ ♪ Sing praise to Him our Lord ♪ ♪ Sing praise to Him our Lord ♪ [applause] In the 15th year of the reign of Tiberias Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, John the Baptist, the son of Elizabeth and Zachariah, traveled throughout the whole region of the Jordan proclaiming the words of the prophet Isaiah: Prepare the way of the Lord and make straight its paths, for here, every valley shall be made filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.

The winding road shall be made straight and every rough way is made smooth, and the glory of God shall be revealed for all to see.

[music] ♪ Rejoice!

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Rejoice!

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Rejoice!

Emmanuel ♪ ♪ Shall come to thee O Israel ♪ ♪ Ransom Israel ♪ ♪ Ransom captive Israel ♪ ♪ Ransom Israel ♪ ♪ Ransom captive Israel ♪ ♪ Ransom Israel ♪ ♪ O come, O come, Emmanuel ♪ ♪ Ooooh ♪ ♪ And ransom captive Israel ♪ ♪ O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer ♪ ♪ O come, Dayspring, come and cheer ♪ ♪ Our spirits by Thine advent here ♪ ♪ Our spirits by Thine advent here ♪ ♪ Disperse, disperse ♪ ♪ Disperse the gloomy clouds of fear ♪ ♪ The Son, the Son of God ♪ ♪ The Son of God appears ♪ ♪ Rejoice!

Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Emmanuel ♪ ♪ Has come to thee O Israel ♪ ♪ Rejoice!

Rejoice!

♪ ♪ Emmanuel ♪ ♪ Has come to thee O Israel ♪ ♪ Has come to thee O Israel ♪ [applause] It came to pass in those days that the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth.

He came to a virgin named Mary who was betrothed to Joseph of the house of David.

Appearing to her, the angel said, "Hail favored one.

"The LORD is with you and blessed are you among women."

Mary was troubled at the sight of him and by his greeting, but the angel said to her, "Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

"Behold, you shall conceive and bring forth a son "and you shall call him Jesus.

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you "and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

"For through He who created the heavens all things are possible."

All this took place to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet.

[music] ♪ The angel Gabriel from heaven came ♪ ♪ His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame ♪ ♪ "All hail," said he to lowly, meek Mary ♪ ♪ "Most highly favored maiden" ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ [music] ♪ For oh, how blessed mother thou shall be ♪ ♪ For generations love and honor thee ♪ ♪ Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold ♪ ♪ Most highly favored maiden ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ [music] ♪ Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head ♪ ♪ "To me be as it pleases God," she said ♪ ♪ "My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name" ♪ ♪ Most highly favored maiden ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ [music] ♪ Of her Emmanuel, the Christ, was born ♪ ♪ In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn' ♪ ♪ And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say ♪ ♪ "Most highly favored maiden" ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ [music] [applause] Now, a decree went out from Cesar Augustus that the entire world should be enrolled.

So all went to be registered, each to the city of his birth.

And Joseph too went up from Galilee traveling from the town of Nazareth to Judea and into Bethlehem, the city of David.

He took Mary with him, she being at that time great with-child.

While they were there, the days for her to give birth were fulfilled and she bore her firstborn son.

She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.

For there was no room for them at the inn.

[music] ♪ Mary, did you know that your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would some day walk on water?

♪ ♪ Mary, did you know that your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would save our sons and daughters?

♪ ♪ Did you know ♪ ♪ That your baby boy ♪ ♪ Has come to make you new?

♪ ♪ This child that you delivered ♪ ♪ Will soon deliver you ♪ ♪ Mary, did you know that your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would give sight to a blind man?

♪ ♪ Mary, did you know that your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would calm the storm with His hand?

♪ ♪ Did you know ♪ ♪ That your baby boy ♪ ♪ Has walked where angels trod?

♪ ♪ When you kiss your little baby ♪ ♪ Then you kiss the face of God ♪ [music] ♪ The blind will see, the deaf will hear ♪ ♪ The dead will live again ♪ ♪ The lame will leap, the dumb will speak ♪ ♪ The praises of the lamb ♪ ♪ Mary, did you know that your baby boy ♪ ♪ Is Lord of all creation?

♪ ♪ Mary, did you know that your baby boy ♪ ♪ Would one day rule the nations?

♪ ♪ Did you know ♪ ♪ That your baby boy ♪ ♪ Was heaven's perfect Lamb?

♪ ♪ The sleeping child you're holding ♪ ♪ Is the great, the great I am ♪ ♪ Is the great, the great I am ♪ [music] [applause] Now there were in that same region shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over the flock by night.

When suddenly the angel of the LORD appeared to them and the glory of the LORD shone around them and they were struck with great fear.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, "for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, "which shall be for all people.

"For today, unto you is born a Savior in the city of David.

"A savior who is Christ the Lord.

"And this shall be a sign unto you: "you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger."

And so, the shepherds rose to follow the star as is shone in the east when suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest.

And peace on earth and goodwill toward men."

[music] ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ [music] ♪ Angels we have heard on high ♪ ♪ Sweetly singing o'er the plains ♪ ♪ And the mountains in reply ♪ ♪ Echoing their joyous strains ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ [music] ♪ Shepherds, why this jubilee?

♪ ♪ Why your joyful strains prolong?

♪ ♪ What the gladsome tidings be ♪ ♪ Which inspire your heavenly song?

♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ [music] ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ ♪ In excelsis Deo ♪ [applause] [music] [music] ♪ The first noel ♪ ♪ The Angels did say ♪ ♪ Was to certain poor shepherds ♪ ♪ In fields as they lay ♪ ♪ In fields where they lay keeping their sheep ♪ ♪ On a cold winter's night that was so deep ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel ♪ ♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪ [music] And when the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem "and see this thing which has taken place which the LORD has made known to us."

♪ They looked up and saw a star ♪ ♪ Shining in the East beyond them far ♪ ♪ And to the earth it gave great light ♪ ♪ And so it continued both day and night ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel ♪ ♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪ [music] So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen this they made known throughout the message that was told to them about this child.

Then the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard.

[music] ♪ Then let us all with one accord ♪ ♪ Sing praises to our heavenly Lord ♪ ♪ Whose light doth shine and life hath taught ♪ ♪ And with his blood mankind hath bought ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel ♪ ♪ Born is the King of Israel ♪ [music] ♪ Born is the King ♪ ♪ Of Israel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ [applause] Now when Jesus had been born in Bethlehem in the days of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.

And when they met Herod, they said to him, "Where is He who has been born the king of the Jews?

"For we have seen His star in the East and have come to pay Him homage."

Herod was greatly troubled at hearing this and secretly called the magi aside.

He then sent them on to Bethlehem saying, "Go and search carefully for the little child "and when you have found him bring me word so that I may go and worship Him also."

[music] ♪ We three kings of orient are ♪ ♪ Bearing gifts we traverse afar ♪ ♪ Field and fountain, Moor and mountain ♪ ♪ Following yonder star ♪ ♪ O star of wonder, star of night ♪ ♪ Star with royal beauty bright ♪ ♪ Westward leading, still proceeding ♪ ♪ Guide us to thy perfect light ♪ ♪ Born a King on Bethlehem's plain ♪ ♪ Gold I bring to crown Him again ♪ ♪ King for ever, ceasing never ♪ ♪ Over us all to reign ♪ ♪ O star of wonder, star of night ♪ ♪ Star with royal beauty bright ♪ ♪ Westward leading, still proceeding ♪ ♪ Guide us to thy perfect light ♪ ♪ Frankincense to offer have I ♪ ♪ Incense owns a Deity nigh ♪ ♪ Prayer and praising, all men raising ♪ ♪ Worshipping God on high ♪ ♪ O star of wonder, star of night ♪ ♪ Star with royal beauty bright ♪ ♪ Westward leading, still proceeding ♪ ♪ Guide us to thy perfect light ♪ [music] ♪ Glorious now behold Him arise ♪ ♪ King and God and Sacrifice ♪ ♪ Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia ♪ ♪ Sounds through the earth and skies ♪ ♪ O star of wonder, star of night ♪ ♪ Star with royal beauty bright ♪ ♪ Westward leading, still proceeding ♪ ♪ Guide us to thy perfect light ♪ [applause] And so the magi went away.

And behold, the star which they had seen in the East went ahead of them until it stopped over where the child was.

On entering the house, they found the little child with Mary his mother.

And there the wise men knelt down and worshipped him opening their treasures and presenting gifts to him of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

[music] ♪ O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord ♪ ♪ O come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant ♪ ♪ O come ye, o come ye, To Bethlehem ♪ ♪ Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him ♪ ♪ Christ the Lord ♪ [music] Yea Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus to Thee be all glory given, ♪ O come and behold Him, Born the King of angels ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him ♪ ♪ Christ the Lord ♪ ♪ Christ the Lord ♪ [applause] During this time of year, we often hear about people hoping to experience the true meaning of Christmas.

The words can have a variety of meanings: festive gatherings of family and friends.

The outward love and compassion for our fellow brothers and sisters.

Or our collective hope for a world at peace.

And though each of these reflect the good and noble spirit of Christmas, the true meaning of Christmas is the glorious reality when we commemorate the birth of the Son of God in a humble manger.

Christmas is the night that heaven touched the earth.

While each of us may find our own way to celebrate Christmas, Tonight we've gathered together in this beautiful church as one community of family, friends, and neighbors to recall and reflect on the good news of that wondrous event.

Few would disagree that we live in a world torn by war, sickness and injustice.

In many ways, ours is a weary world.

Yet, as we recall the first words spoken by the angels to the shepherds on Jesus' birth, "Do not be afraid," they give us reason to rejoice and find hope in all the good things promised by His coming.

Christmas then is a time of renewing that hope when for just a few hours the world forgets about politics, about defenses and about differences.

It is a time when for just a few hours, the world pauses to celebrate the Savior's promise of peace on earth and goodwill towards all.

And so, as we look forward once again to that night of nights perhaps if we strive to live those words and believe in His promise we might come to know the true meaning of Christmas much as it was revealed over 2000 years ago on that silent and holy night.

[music] ♪ O holy night ♪ ♪ The stars are brightly shining ♪ ♪ It is the night of our dear Savior's birth ♪ ♪ Long lay the world in sin and ever pining ♪ ♪ 'Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth ♪ ♪ A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices ♪ ♪ For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn' ♪ ♪ Fall on your knees ♪ ♪ O hear the angels' voices ♪ ♪ O night divine ♪ ♪ O night when Christ was born ♪ ♪ O night divine ♪ ♪ O night ♪ ♪ O night divine ♪ ♪ Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming ♪ ♪ With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand ♪ ♪ Led by a star above and brightly gleaming ♪ ♪ Here came the wise men from far Eastern land ♪ ♪ The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger ♪ ♪ To us this day is born to thee our God ♪ ♪ Fall on your knees ♪ ♪ O hear the angels' voices ♪ ♪ O night divine ♪ ♪ O night when Christ was born ♪ ♪ O night divine ♪ ♪ O night ♪ ♪ O night divine ♪ [music] [applause] [music] ♪ Silent night, holy night ♪ ♪ All is calm, all is bright ♪ ♪ Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child ♪ ♪ Holy infant so tender and mild ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ ♪ Silent night, holy night ♪ ♪ Shepherds quake at the sight ♪ ♪ Glories stream from heaven afar ♪ ♪ Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia ♪ ♪ Christ the Saviour is born ♪ ♪ Christ the Saviour is born ♪ [music] ♪ Silent night, holy night ♪ ♪ All is calm, all is bright ♪ ♪ Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child ♪ ♪ Holy infant so tender and mild ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ [music] [applause] For unto us a child is born and unto us a Son is given Upon His shoulders dominion rests And He shall be called by name Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace [music] ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ [music] ♪ The kingdom of this world ♪ ♪ Is become the kingdom of our Lord ♪ ♪ And of His Christ, And of His Christ ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings, Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ And Lord of lords, Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ King of kings, Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ And Lord of lords, Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ King of kings, Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Lord of lords ♪ ♪ King of kings, And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ And He shall reign ♪ ♪ He shall reign, He shall reign ♪ ♪ He shall reign ♪ ♪ He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings, Forever and ever ♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings, And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ King of kings, And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah, Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ [applause] Through Christmas at DePaul we have created something quite special.

Something that goes beyond a holiday musical event.

On these two evenings, we've been able to transform this beautiful church into a unique town center.

A true gathering place for people from throughout our city to celebrate together the wonder of this season.

Though many of us did not know each other when we entered through these doors, through the awesome power of word and song we have become a community of new friends.

as we recall the greatest story ever told.

Perhaps that is the magic of Christmas at DePaul.

[music] ♪ This is my wish, My wish for the world ♪ ♪ That peace will find it's way ♪ ♪ To every boy and girl ♪ ♪ This is the time, The time for harmony ♪ ♪ Let love be the song that everybody sings ♪ ♪ Feel the air with joyful noise ♪ ♪ Ring the bells and raise your voice ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ Lift your light and let it shine ♪ ♪ Let it shine, shine, shine ♪ ♪ Let every voice be heard ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ I hear the sweetest sounds ♪ ♪ The sounds of hope to come ♪ ♪ Together we could bring good will to everyone ♪ ♪ Let it start with you, Let it start with me ♪ ♪ Let every nation rise to sing this melody ♪ ♪ Feel the air with joyful noise ♪ ♪ Ring the bells and raise your voice ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ Lift your light and let it shine ♪ ♪ Let it shine, shine, shine ♪ ♪ Let every voice be heard ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh whoah whoah ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh whoah whoah ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh whoah whoah ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh whoah whoah ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Fill the air with joyful noise ♪ ♪ Ring the bells and raise your voice ♪ ♪ Let there be, (Peace on earth) ♪ ♪ Let there be, (Peace on earth) ♪ ♪ Lift your light and let it shine ♪ ♪ Let it shine, shine, shine ♪ ♪ Let every voice be heard ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ Let there be peace on earth ♪ ♪ Shine, shine, shine, shine ♪ ♪ Peace on, peace on earth ♪ ♪ Peace on earth ♪ [applause] I hope that the spirit and joy we've shared tonight will be an inspiration to go out and proclaim the good news of this glorious season to one and all.

On behalf of the entire cast of Christmas at DePaul, thank you for joining us.

And Merry Christmas!

[applause] [music] ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ Sing a song for the glorious season ♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ Sing a song for the happy new year ♪ ♪ Sing merrily, merrily, loud and strong ♪ ♪ Welcome the wintry season ♪ ♪ Just follow along with the holiday song ♪ ♪ Santa is here again, yes ♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ Sing a song for the glorious season ♪ ♪ Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas ♪ ♪ Sing a song for a happy new year ♪ [music]