On Monday, December 21, 2020, local leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Boise and Meridian, Idaho, partnered with other faith, civic and community leaders to host the Inaugural Idaho Community Christmas Carol Sing-Along.
Light-the-World
Latter-day Saint missionaries in Idaho hold up a banner that reads, “Welcome IDAHO Let’s Sing!” to invite people to a drive-in Christmas caroling experience that members organized to help the community celebrate the state’s annual Inaugural Idaho Community Christmas Sing-Along on Monday, December 21, 2020. All rights reserved.In cities all over Idaho, individuals and families participated in a treasured holiday tradition —
Christmas caroling, in drive-in movie style fashion. In accordance with state and local health regulations and orders, including social distancing and the wearing of protective face coverings, carolers from all walks of life drove to host parking lots.
There, carolers remained in their vehicles, tuned into a local radio station (Magic FM 97.9) and sang along to a prerecorded program of familiar Christmas hymns and carols. Families enjoyed singing Christmas favorites, such as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “O Come, all Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night.” Interspersed throughout the radio program were short 30- to 45-second faith messages from various church leaders of different denominations and congregations throughout Idaho, as well as from civic and community leaders.
In total, more than 60 host participating locations opened their parking lots for the drive-in movie style Christmas carol sing-along. This made it possible for carolers to gather in over 10 cities across Idaho, including Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Kuna, Fruitland, Caldwell, Emmett, Middleton and Blackfoot. Host parking lot locations were provided by different religious denominations, city parks, city halls, high schools, middle schools and other large venues like the Ford Idaho Center and Boise State University’s Football Stadium.
The spirit of the event was memorable, as carolers from all walks of life, and from a multitude of different churches and organizations throughout the community stayed in their vehicles, but in unison lifted their voices heavenward, singing praises of joy and thanksgiving.
The idea for the event started with a simple question: How can we unite Idaho to feel the spirit of the holiday season after a year of uncertainty, trial and turmoil? While much of 2020 was focused on physical distancing from one another, on one special night, local leaders sought to unite the hearts of the community.
“In a year of divisiveness, when so much focus has been placed on our differences, this night reminds us once more that there is more that unites us than there is that divides us,” said Tonn K. Peterson, president of the Meridian Idaho Linder Stake, a group of local congregations.
The event was only made possible through special collaboration with trusted media partners. President Petersen continued, “We are so thankful for our media partners who made this event possible. Though we are a community of different beliefs and backgrounds, through the power of technology, we joined together on a special night to find common ground. It truly was a night of hope, of healing and of love. We look forward to building upon the strong bridges of unity that were created through this event within the faith community.”