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By Scott Taylor, Church News
“Witnesses of Christmas,” a holiday musical concert hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and broadcast online Sunday, December 19, originated from the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center and the historic Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The interfaith celebration features familiar Christmas carols like “Joy to the World,” “The First Noel” and “Away in a Manger” and performances by acclaimed violinist Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four and soprano vocalist Alexandra Sharpe. Danish actor Tomas Ambt Kofod is the narrator.
The hour-long concert features musical performances blended with a biblical account of the Savior Jesus Christ’s humble birth in Bethlehem. The program also includes video excerpts from holiday celebrations in Germany, Austria, France and Spain, reflecting some of Europe’s diverse Christmas traditions.
Offered in 24 languages, “Witnesses of Christmas” can be viewed online on Facebook and YouTube and is available for on-demand viewing through January 6.
Featured Performers
Oaks Baker is a Grammy-nominated, Billboard No. 1 performer and recording artist with 18 studio albums. A graduate of the Juilliard School, she has played at major venues across the globe. Family Four is comprised of her four children — violinist and percussionist Laura, pianist Hannah, celloist Sarah and classical guitarist Matthew.
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Violinist Jenny Oaks Baker, Family Four and vocalist Alexandra Sharpe perform during the “Witnesses of Christmas” concert broadcast online from Europe. Photo is a screenshot from the broadcast, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2021 Deseret News Publishing Company.
Sharpe, an Irish singer/actress, has performed extensively in London’s West End and on the Irish stage. Internationally, she is best known as a founding member of Celtic Woman.
Koford, an actor and vocalist, has movie roles and stage performances that include leading roles in “Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Miserables.”
The concert is part of the “Light the World with Love” global Christmas campaign.
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Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue is the focal point of the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. Photo by Kristin Murphy, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2021 Deseret News Publishing Company.
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The Christus is illuminated in the Rome Italy Temple Visitors’ Center with a reflection of the temple in Rome, Italy, on Friday, March 8, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2021 Deseret News Publishing Company.Copyright 2021 Deseret News Publishing Company.