Photo By Wayne Cook | Members of the Army Support Activity-Dix Main Chapel Gospel Choir belted out a joyous...... read more read more
FORT DIX, N.J., Dec. 18, 2009 — People from throughout the Army Support Activity-Dix community and local municipalities gathered at the ASA-Dix Chapel to celebrate Christmas with a concert and play Dec. 17.
Dressed in costumes of the period, Chaplain (Maj.) Allen Raub, ASA-Dix staff chaplain, his wife Julie and their infant son Caleb acted out the roles of Joseph, Mary and the Christ child, Jesus. Others played the parts of shepherds, angels and wise men.
Chaplain (Col.) Wayne Kirk, ASA-Dix deputy chaplain, read passages of scriptures from Luke 2:1-14, Matthew 2:1-12 and John 1:1-14 about the birth a child who would save the world.
To the delight of those in attendance, the Protestant and Gospel Choirs combined together to sing carols and hymns, inviting the masses to join in. Old standards like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Joy to the World" rang through the rafters of the chapel.
Soloists displayed their heavenly talents as they brought the spirit of Christmas to life through song. Eighty-three-year-old Eloise Deas, mother of internationally renowned bass-baritone singer Kevin Deas, shared one of her favorite spirituals from her childhood in Arkansas, "Sweet Little Jesus Boy." Twelve year-old Rosemary Quigley sang like a song bird, displaying a talent more mature than her age when she presented "What Child is This." Lisa Evans nearly "blew the roof off" the chapel with her sparkling performance of "The Birthday of a King." Robert Holmes provided a rich and versatile voice to his rendition of "You Raised Me Up." Crystal Ortiz brought tears to many eyes with her beautiful production of "Mary Did You Know."
A favorite moment of the evening for many was the singing of "Silent Night" in five languages: Chinese, German, Japanese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Marquis Thomas of Pemberton said he truly enjoyed watching the program. "It was really good. It was like celebrating life itself."
Retired Col. Karl Elders of Sandy Spring, Md., was another attendee who thoroughly enjoyed the concert. "It was an excellent program. It was very moving and appropriate for this time of year. What a great blend of young and old celebrating the season."
What was an unbridled show of spiritual adoration for a baby who brought salvation to the world, the chapel celebration was also an emotionally stirring event reminding those present of the true meaning of the Christmas season.
| Date Taken: | 12.29.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.29.2009 11:00 |
| Story ID: | 43245 |
| Location: | FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 286 |
| Downloads: | 254 |
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