NARRATOR

THE WORLD-RENOWNED MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR CELEBRATES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A CHRISTMAS CONCERT FEATURING BROADWAY STAR SUTTON FOSTER AND RENOWNED BRITISH ACTOR HUGH BONNEVILLE.

MUSIC - "JOY TO THE WORLD"

CHOIR

(SINGING) JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME. LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING. LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM, AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING, AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING, AND HEAVEN AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING. REJOICE, REJOICE WHEN JESUS REIGNS AND SAINTS THEIR SONGS EMPLOY WHILE FIELDS AND FLOODS, ROCKS, HILLS, AND PLAINS REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY, REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY, REPEAT, REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY. NO MORE WILL SIN AND SORROW GROW NOR THORNS INFEST THE GROUND. HE'LL COME AND MAKE THE BLESSINGS FLOW FAR AS THE CURSE WAS FOUND, FAR AS THE CURSE WAS FOUND, FAR AS, FAR AS THE CURSE WAS FOUND. REJOICE, REJOICE IN THE MOST HIGH WHILE ISRAEL SPREADS ABROAD LIKE STARS THAT GLITTER IN THE SKY AND EVER WORSHIP GOD, AND EVER WORSHIP GOD, AND EVER, EVER WORSHIP GOD. AND EVER, EVER WORSHIP GOD.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC - "JUST ONCE A YEAR"

CHOIR

(SINGING) JUST ONCE A YEAR AND EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO FIND A GIFT, A TURTLE DOVE, A GOLDEN RING TO MEND THAT LITTLE RIFT. BUT WHEN THE PRETTY BOWS ARE TOSSED AND WRAPPING PAPER FLIES, IT'S NOT THE GIFT THAT MELTS OUR HEARTS. IT'S HOW THE GIVER TRIES. OH, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, YOU HAVE A WONDROUS POWER TO CALL OUR BETTER ANGELS FORTH UNTIL OUR DEMONS COWER. YES, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, THOUGH CAROLS FADE AWAY, YOUR SPIRIT MAKES THE WHOLE OF LIFE A MERRY OLD CHRISTMAS DAY. JUST ONCE A YEAR AND EVERY YEAR, OUR DOOR IS OPEN WIDE TO ALL OF YOU WHO DOUBLE CROSSED AND CHEATED US AND LIED, WHO PINCHED OUR CANDY, SKIMMED OUR CREAM, YET LACKING ANY GALL SING FA LA LA SO CHEERFULLY WE MUST FORGIVE IT ALL. OH, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, YOU HAVE A WONDROUS POWER TO CALL OUR BETTER ANGELS FORTH UNTIL OUR DEMONS COWER. YES, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, THOUGH CAROLS FADE AWAY, YOUR SPIRIT MAKES THE WHOLE OF LIFE A MERRY OLD CHRISTMAS DAY. JUST ONCE A YEAR AND EVERY YEAR WE TELL THIS TIRED TALE, THAT FATHER CHRISTMAS GIVES THE GIFTS WE BOUGHT ON DISCOUNT SALE. YET SOMEHOW AS WE SPIN THIS YARN, WE CANNOT DISBELIEVE THERE'S ONE WHO GIVETH ALL THE GIFTS TO ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE. OH, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, YOU HAVE A WONDROUS POWER TO CALL OUR BETTER ANGELS FORTH UNTIL OUR DEMONS COWER. YES, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, THOUGH CAROLS FADE AWAY, YOUR SPIRIT MAKES THE WHOLE OF LIFE A MERRY OLD CHRISTMAS DAY. JUST ONCE A YEAR AND EVERY YEAR, ABANDONING ALL SENSE, WE DANCE AROUND LIKE LITTLE ONES WHO CAN'T TELL POUNDS FROM PENCE, WHO HEEDLESS OF ALL PETTINESS, EMBRACING FRIEND AND FOE, WE SING AND LAUGH AND LIVE AS ONE BENEATH THE MISTLETOE. OH, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, YOU HAVE A WONDROUS POWER TO CALL OUR BETTER ANGELS FORTH UNTIL OUR DEMONS COWER. YES, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, THOUGH CAROLS FADE AWAY, YOUR SPIRIT MAKES THE WHOLE OF LIFE A MERRY OLD CHRISTMAS DAY. OH, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, YOU HAVE A WONDROUS POWER TO CALL OUR BETTER ANGELS FORTH UNTIL OUR DEMONS COWER. YES, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, THOUGH CAROLS FADE AWAY, YOUR SPIRIT MAKES THE WHOLE OF LIFE A HAPPY DANCE DEVOID OF STRIFE, A FEAST OF LOVE, A SONG OF PEACE, A GIFT OF HOPE'S BRIGHT RAY. YOUR SPIRIT MAKES THE WHOLE OF LIFE A MERRY OLD CHRISTMAS DAY.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC - "IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

NARRATOR

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME TONY AWARD-WINNING STAR OF STAGE AND TELEVISION SUTTON FOSTER.

CHOIR

(SINGING) DING, DONG, DING, DONG. IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. DING, DONG, DING, DONG. WITH THE KIDS JINGLE BELLING AND EVERYONE TELLING YOU, BE OF GOOD CHEER, IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

ALL

IT'S THE HAPP-- HAPPIEST SEASON OF ALL. WITH THE HOLIDAY GREETINGS AND GAY, HAPPY MEETINGS WHEN FRIENDS COME TO CALL, IT'S THE HAPP-- HAPPIEST SEASON OF ALL. THERE'LL BE PARTIES FOR HOSTING, MARSHMALLOWS FOR TOASTING, AND CAROLING OUT IN THE SNOW. THERE'LL BE SCARY GHOST STORIES AND TALES OF THE GLORIES OF CHRISTMASES LONG, LONG AGO. IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

CHOIR

DING, DONG, DING, DONG.

ALL

THERE'LL BE MUCH MISTLETOEING, AND HEARTS WILL BE GLOWING WHEN LOVED ONES ARE NEAR. IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. WITH THE KIDS JINGLE BELLING AND EVERYONE TELLING YOU BE OF GOOD CHEER, IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. IT'S THE HAPP-- HAPPIEST SEASON OF ALL.

CHOIR

IT'S THE HAPPIEST SEASON OF ALL.

ALL

WITH THE HOLIDAY GREETINGS AND GAY, HAPPY MEETINGS WHEN FRIENDS COME TO CALL, IT'S THE HAPP-- HAPPIEST SEASON OF ALL. THERE'LL BE PARTIES FOR HOSTING, MARSHMALLOWS FOR TOASTING, AND CAROLING OUT IN THE SNOW. THERE'LL BE SCARY GHOST STORIES AND TALES OF THE GLORIES OF CHRISTMASES LONG, LONG AGO. IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

CHOIR

DING, DONG, DING, DONG.

ALL

THERE'LL BE MUCH MISTLETOEING AND HEARTS WILL BE GLOWING WHEN LOVED ONES ARE NEAR. IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME. IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME. IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

APPLAUSE

ALL

HI! THANK YOU SO MUCH. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW THRILLED I AM TO BE HERE. THANK YOU, MACK AND RYAN AND EVERYONE IN THIS INCREDIBLE CHOIR AND THIS ORCHESTRA FOR GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO PERFORM WITH THEM TONIGHT. ONE THING TO KNOW ABOUT ME IS THAT I LOVE CHRISTMAS. BECAUSE IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN. IT MAKES THE WORLD YOUNG AND FRESH AND BEAUTIFUL. AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO AT CHRISTMAS IS WATCH THE CHARLIE BROWN SPECIAL. I WATCH IT, AND I DANCE LIKE PIG-PEN, AND I SING ALONG. AND I TEAR UP WHEN LINUS GIVES HIS SERMON AND ALL THE KIDS TRIM CHARLIE'S TINY TREE. NOW, THIS CHRISTMAS, I FEEL ESPECIALLY LIKE A KID BECAUSE IT'S MY FIRST ONE WITH A CHILD OF MY OWN. RECENTLY, MY HUSBAND AND I ADOPTED A NEWBORN BABY GIRL--

APPLAUSE

ALL

--EMILY DALE GRIFFIN. SO I CANNOT WAIT TO SHOW HER A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS AND TO SOMEDAY SING THIS SONG ALONG WITH HER.

MUSIC - "CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE"

ALL

(SINGING) CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE, HAPPINESS AND CHEER, FUN FOR ALL THAT CHILDREN CALL THEIR FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR. SNOWFLAKES IN THE AIR, CAROLS EVERYWHERE, OLDEN TIMES AND ANCIENT RHYMES OF LOVE AND DREAMS TO SHARE. SLEIGH BELLS IN THE AIR, BEAUTY EVERYWHERE, YULETIDE BY THE FIRESIDE AND JOYFUL MEMORIES THERE. CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE, FAMILIES DRAWING NEAR. OH, THAT WE COULD ALWAYS SEE SUCH SPIRIT THROUGH THE YEAR. CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE, HAPPINESS AND CHEER, FUN FOR ALL THAT CHILDREN CALL THEIR FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR. OH, THAT WE COULD ONLY SEE SUCH SPIRIT THROUGH THE YEAR.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC - "UNFOLD YE PORTALS"

CHOIR

(SINGING) UNFOLD, UNFOLD, UNFOLD YE PORTALS EVERLASTING. UNFOLD, UNFOLD, UNFOLD YE PORTALS EVERLASTING WITH WELCOME TO RECEIVE HIM ASCENDING ON HIGH. BEHOLD THE KING OF GLORY. HE MOUNTS UP THROUGH THE SKY BACK TO THE HEAVENLY MANSIONS HASTING. UNFOLD, UNFOLD, UNFOLD FOR LO THE KING COMES NIGH. BUT WHO IS HE, THE KING OF GLORY? HE WHO DEATH OVERCAME, THE LORD IN BATTLE MIGHTY. BUT WHO IS HE, THE KING OF GLORY? OF HOSTS, HE IS THE LORD. OF ANGELS AND OF POWERS, THE KING OF GLORY IS THE KING OF THE SAINTS. UNFOLD, UNFOLD, UNFOLD YE PORTALS EVERLASTING. UNFOLD, UNFOLD, UNFOLD YE PORTALS EVERLASTING WITH WELCOME TO RECEIVE HIM ASCENDING ON HIGH. BEHOLD THE KING OF GLORY. HE MOUNTS UP TO THE SKY BACK TO THE HEAVENLY MANSIONS HASTING. UNFOLD, UNFOLD, UNFOLD FOR LO THE KING COMES NIGH.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC - "A GOLDEN AGE CHRISTMAS"

CHOIR

(SINGING) SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW, IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE WE'LL ALL BE THERE WITH SNOW. SNOW, I WANT TO WASH MY HANDS, MY FACE, AND HAIR WITH SNOW. SNOW, I WANT TO CLEAR A PATH AND LIFT A SPADE OF SNOW. OH, TO SEE A GREAT BIG MAN ENTIRELY MADE OF SNOW. WHERE IT'S SNOWING ALL WINTER THROUGH, THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO BE. SNOWBALL THROWING, THAT'S WHAT I'LL DO. HOW I'M LONGING TO SKI THROUGH THE SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. THOSE GLISTENING HOUSES THAT SEEM TO BE BUILT OF SNOW. OH, TO SEE A MOUNTAIN COVERED WITH A QUILT OF SNOW. WHAT IS CHRISTMAS WITH NO SNOW? NO WHITE CHRISTMAS WITH NO SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. I'LL SOON BE THERE WITH SNOW. I'LL WASH MY HAIR WITH SNOW. AND WITH A SPADE OF SNOW, I'LL MAKE A MAN THAT'S MADE OF SNOW. I'D LOVE TO STAY UP WITH YOU BUT I RECOMMEND A LITTLE SHUT-EYE. GO TO SLEEP AND DREAM OF SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. SNOW. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT. FROM NOW ON OUR TROUBLES WILL BE OUT OF SIGHT. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY. FROM NOW ON OUR TROUBLES WILL BE MILES AWAY. HERE WE ARE AS IN OLDEN DAYS, HAPPY GOLDEN DAYS OF YORE. FAITHFUL FRIENDS WHO ARE DEAR TO US GATHER NEAR TO US ONCE MORE. THROUGH THE YEARS WE ALL WILL BE TOGETHER IF THE FATES ALLOW. HANG A SHINING STAR UPON THE HIGHEST BOUGH. AND HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS NOW. HAPPY HOLIDAY. HAPPY HOLIDAY. HAPPY HOLIDAY. HAPPY HOLIDAY. WHILE THE MERRY BELLS KEEP RINGING, HAPPY HOLIDAY TO YOU. IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON-- THE HOLIDAY SEASON. --AND SANTA CLAUS IS COMING 'ROUND. THE CHRISTMAS SNOW IS WHITE ON THE GROUND. WHEN OLD SANTA GETS INTO TOWN, HE'LL BE COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY DOWN. HE'LL BE COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY DOWN. IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON-- THE HOLIDAY SEASON. --AND SANTA CLAUS HAS GOT A TOY FOR EVERY GOOD GIRL AND GOOD LITTLE BOY. SANTA'S A GREAT BIG BUNDLE OF JOY WHEN HE'S COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY DOWN. WHEN HE'S COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY DOWN. HE'LL HAVE THE BIG, FAT PACK UPON HIS BACK AND LOTS OF GOODIES FOR YOU AND FOR ME.

ALL

SO LEAVE A PEPPERMINT STICK FOR OLD SAINT NICK HANGING ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE. IT'S THE HOLIDAY SEASON--

CHOIR

THE HOLIDAY SEASON. --SO HOOP-DEE DOO AND DICKORY DOCK AND DON'T FORGET TO HANG OUT YOUR SOCK. 'CAUSE JUST EXACTLY AT 12 O'CLOCK, HE'LL BE COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY--

ALL

COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY DOWN. HAPPY HOLIDAY.

CHOIR

HAPPY HOLIDAY. HAPPY HOLIDAY. HAPPY HOLIDAY. WHILE THE MERRY BELLS KEEP RINGING, HAPPY HOLIDAY-- HAPPY HOLIDAY--

ALL

--TO YOU. HAPPY HOLIDAY.

CHOIR

HAPPY HOLIDAY. HAPPY HOLIDAY. HAPPY HOLIDAY. HAPPY HOLIDAY TO YOU. HAPPY HOLIDAY, HAPPY HOLIDAY, HAPPY HOLIDAY--

ALL

--TO YOU.

APPLAUSE

NARRATOR

PLEASE WELCOME ACCLAIMED FILM AND TELEVISION ACTOR HUGH BONNEVILLE.

APPLAUSE

CHUCKLES

HUGH BONNEVILLE

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FOR THAT WARM WELCOME. CHRISTMAS IS, OF COURSE, A TIME FOR CELEBRATING NEW BIRTH. IT'S A TIME FOR FAMILY, FOR GIVING. AND, IN MY HOUSE ANYWAY, WE ALWAYS RAISE A TOAST TO ABSENT FRIENDS, TO THOSE WE'VE LOST. AND WE SHARE STORIES ABOUT THEM, BRINGING THEM BACK TO LIFE IN OUR MEMORY. AND THE ACCOUNT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON IS JUST SUCH A STORY.

MUSIC - "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"

HUGH BONNEVILLE

IT'S ABOUT A FAMILY WHO, IN THE DARKEST MOMENTS OF LIFE, FOUND THE HOPE AND PEACE WE ASSOCIATE WITH THIS SEASON, THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS, HOW IT TRANSFORMED THEM AND ALSO HAS BLESSED THIS WORLD.

CHOIR

(SINGING) OH, LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, HOW STILL WE SEE THEE LIE. ABOVE THY DEEP AND DREAMLESS SLEEP, THE SILENT STARS GO BY. YET IN THE DARK STREETS SHINETH THE EVERLASTING LIGHT-- THE HOPES AND FEARS OF ALL THE YEARS ARE MET IN THEE TONIGHT.

HUGH BONNEVILLE

IN MID-NOVEMBER 1873, AN OCEAN LINER, THE VILLE DE HAVRE, SET SAIL FROM NEW YORK BOUND FOR FRANCE WITH 313 PASSENGERS ON BOARD. ONE CAN IMAGINE THEIR FESTIVE ATLANTIC CROSSING WITH RIBBONS OF RED, SWAGS OF EVERGREEN, AND CHRISTMAS CAROLS WAFTING THROUGH A DINING ROOM SPARKLING WITH CANDLELIGHT. IN A FEW DAYS, THEY WOULD MAKE LANDFALL IN EUROPE, JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS IN PARIS. ANNA SPAFFORD AND HER FOUR LITTLE GIRLS WERE AMONG THE DELIGHTED PASSENGERS. THEY HAD COME FROM CHICAGO-- ANNIE, AGED 11; MARGARET LEE, NINE; BESSIE, FIVE; AND LITTLE TANETTA, AGE TWO. THEIR FATHER, HORATIO, HAD INTENDED TO SAIL WITH THEM BUT WAS DETAINED ON BUSINESS. "NOT TO WORRY," HE ASSURED HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN. HE WOULD BOOK HIS PASSAGE IN A FEW DAYS. AND SOON, THEY WOULD BE REUNITED IN PARIS, THE CITY OF LIGHT, CELEBRATING THE SEASON OF GOODWILL. AND GOODWILL IS WHAT THEY NEEDED. TWO YEARS EARLIER, THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE HAD ALL BUT DESTROYED HORATIO'S BUSINESS INTERESTS. SO THIS JOURNEY WAS INTENDED TO RESTORE HOPE AND BRING HEALING INTO THEIR LIVES. ONCE ON BOARD THE SHIP ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER THE 22ND, ANNA AND HER GIRLS KNELT DOWN, SAID THEIR PRAYERS, AND FELL ASLEEP, DREAMING OF THE YULETIDE FESTIVITIES TO COME. BUT AT ABOUT 2 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, THEY WERE SUDDENLY JOLTED AWAKE IN THEIR BERTHS. DESPITE A CLEAR, STARRY SKY, THE VILLE DE HAVRE HAD INEXPLICABLY COLLIDED WITH THE LOCH HERN, AN IRON-HULLED SCOTTISH CLIPPER. LIFEBOATS QUICKLY FILLED WITH PEOPLE. MANY PASSENGERS LEAPT INTO THE ICY WATERS. ANNA TRIED DESPERATELY TO KEEP HER CHILDREN TOGETHER. BUT THE TWO ELDEST BECAME SEPARATED IN THE CONFUSION. JUST 12 MINUTES AFTER THE IMPACT, A WAVE WASHED OVER THE DECK, AND ANNA WAS DRAWN UNDER, TOGETHER WITH HER TWO YOUNGEST DAUGHTERS. SHE HELD ON TO FIVE-YEAR-OLD BESSIE UNTIL HER STRENGTH GAVE OUT. HER LAST MEMORY WAS OF TWO-YEAR-OLD TANETTA IN HER LACE NIGHTGOWN, TORN FROM HER GRASP, GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER, UNTIL SHE, TOO, FINALLY DISAPPEARED. LATER, THE CREW OF THE LOCH HERN FOUND ANNA UNCONSCIOUS, FLOATING ON A WOODEN PLANK. WHEN THE SHIP DOCKED IN WALES, ANNA SENT A TELEGRAM TO HER HUSBAND. IT READ, "SAVED ALONE. WHAT SHALL I DO?" HORATIO IMMEDIATELY SAILED FROM NEW YORK. HE WROTE TO A FRIEND, "THERE IS JUST ONE THING IN THESE DAYS THAT HAS BECOME MAGNIFICENTLY CLEAR. I MUST NOT LOSE FAITH." FOUR DAYS INTO HIS VOYAGE, ON A THURSDAY EVENING, THE CAPTAIN SUMMONED MR. SPAFFORD TO THE FOREDECK. BY THE CREW'S CALCULATIONS, THEY WERE NEARING THE VERY PLACE WHERE ANNA'S SHIP HAD GONE DOWN, TAKING WITH IT THEIR FOUR DAUGHTERS, NOW RESTING SOME THREE MILES BELOW. BUT HORATIO REFUSED TO LOOK DOWN. "I DID NOT THINK OF OUR DEAR ONES THERE," HE LATER RECOUNTED. INSTEAD, HE GAZED OUT ACROSS THE ROLLING WAVES AND UP INTO MOONLIT SKY. THERE AND THEN, HE BEGAN TO FORMULATE A SIMPLE EXPRESSION OF HIS FAITH, A VERSE THAT WOULD BECOME A HYMN. "WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER ATTENDETH MY WAY, WHEN SORROWS LIKE SEA BILLOWS ROLL, WHATEVER MY LOT, THOU HAST TAUGHT ME TO SAY, IT IS WELL. IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL." ONLY A FEW WEEKS EARLIER, IN THE SAME PLACE ON THE OPEN SEA, ANNA HAD EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR AWAKENING. AFTER HER RESCUE, WHEN SHE HAD REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS, SHE WAS OVERCOME WITH DESPAIR AND SIMPLY WANTED TO THROW HERSELF BACK INTO THE OCEAN. WHAT WAS LIFE WORTH NOW? WHAT COULD IT EVER BE WITHOUT HER CHILDREN? BUT THEN, IT WAS AS IF SHE HEARD A VOICE IN HER MIND AND HER HEART. "YOU ARE SPARED FOR A PURPOSE, ANNA. YOU HAVE A WORK TO DO."

CHOIR

(SINGING) WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER ATTENDETH MY WAY, WHEN SORROWS LIKE SEA BILLOWS ROLL, WHATEVER MY LOT, THOU HAST TAUGHT ME TO SAY, IT IS WELL. IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. ONCE THEY HAD RETURNED TO CHICAGO, HORATIO SOUGHT THE SUPPORT AND PRAYERS OF HIS CONGREGATION TO HELP HIM FACE THE DIRE FINANCIAL STRAITS IN WHICH HE FOUND HIMSELF. ANNA GAVE BIRTH TO A BOY AND THEN A GIRL. BUT SORROW UPON SORROW, THAT SON, HORATIO JR., SUCCUMBED TO SCARLET FEVER AT THE AGE OF THREE. THEN, A YEAR LATER, ANOTHER DAUGHTER WAS BORN. ONLY TWO OF THEIR SEVEN CHILDREN LIVED TO MATURITY. BUT THE SPAFFORDS NEVER YIELDED HOPE. (SINGING) THOUGH SATAN SHOULD BUFFET, THOUGH TRIALS SHOULD COME, LET THIS BLEST ASSURANCE CONTROL THAT CHRIST HAST REGARDED MY HELPLESS ESTATE AND HAS SHED HIS OWN BLOOD FOR MY SOUL. THROUGH THAT HARROWING CHRISTMAS SEASON OF 1873, THE SPAFFORDS BECAME EVEN MORE CERTAIN THAT GOD LOVES ALL HIS CHILDREN, WHOEVER THEY ARE AND WHATEVER TRIBULATIONS THEY MAY SUFFER. IN 1881, THE FAMILY MOVED TO JERUSALEM AND ESTABLISHED THERE AN AMERICAN COLONY, NOT FAR FROM THE LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM WE CELEBRATE AT CHRISTMAS. ALTHOUGH DEEPLY RELIGIOUS, THEIR PURPOSE WAS NOT TO PROSELYTIZE BUT TO SERVE PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS, RELIEVING THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY, DISEASE, AND STRIFE WHEREVER IT WAS FOUND. SEVEN YEARS LATER, HORATIO HIMSELF DIED. GRIEVING ONCE AGAIN, ANNA SPAFFORD HAD EVERY REASON TO GIVE UP. BUT SHE DID NOT. EVERY LIFE HAS CONTRADICTIONS AND IMPERFECTIONS, AND HERS WAS NO EXCEPTION. BUT WHEN IT MATTERED MOST, IN HER MOST PROFOUND SPIRITUAL CRISIS WHEN ALL SEEMED LOST, ANNA FOUND THE STRENGTH TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO TURN OUTWARD, TO CONTINUE THE WORK SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAD BEGUN. AND THE SEED OF SERVICE WHICH THEY HAD PLANTED BORE SWEET FRUIT, INDEED. IN TIME, THEIR DAUGHTER, BERTHA, EXPANDED THE SPAFFORDS' HUMANITARIAN WORK WITH THE SIMPLE INTENT OF RESCUING THOSE WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE SHIPWRECKS OF LIFE, AS THEY HAD. DURING WORLD WAR I, SHE LED THE WAY IN ORGANIZING SOUP KITCHENS FOR REFUGEES. SHE ALSO OVERSAW HOSPITALS FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS ON ALL SIDES OF THE CONFLICT. ONE CHRISTMAS EVE, ON HER WAY TO BETHLEHEM, BERTHA MET A BEDOUIN MAN, HIS AILING WIFE, AND THEIR NEWBORN SON TRAVELING TO JERUSALEM BY DONKEY. LATER, BERTHA WROTE, "HERE STOOD BEFORE ME A RUSTIC MADONNA AND BABE, AND SIMILAR TO MARY'S PLIGHT, THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR THEM TO STAY." BY THE NEXT MORNING, THE MOTHER HAD DIED. AND BERTHA WAS ASKED TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILD. SHE AGREED. SHE NAMED THE LITTLE BOY NOEL. AND WITHIN THE WEEK, SHE HAD TAKEN IN TWO MORE ORPHANED BABIES. AND SO BEGAN THE SPAFFORD FAMILY'S MOST ENDURING CHARITABLE WORK, A HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN. SHE EXPLAINED, "WE MAKE NO DISTINCTION IN NATIONALITY OR CREED, THE ONLY REQUIREMENT BEING THAT PEOPLE ABSOLUTELY NEED OUR HELP." SOME OF THE SPAFFORDS' CHARITABLE WORK CONTINUES TO THIS DAY IN THE CHILDREN'S CENTER THAT BEARS THE FAMILY NAME. (SINGING) BUT LORD, 'TIS FOR THEE, FOR THY COMING WE WAIT. THE SKY, NOT THE GRAVE, IS OUR GOAL. OH, TRUMP OF THE ANGEL! OH, VOICE OF THE LORD! BLESSED HOPE, BLESSED REST OF MY SOUL. FOR NEARLY 150 YEARS, MILLIONS HAVE SUNG AND HAVE BEEN LIFTED BY HORATIO'S HYMN. BUT MOST HAVE NOT BEEN AWARE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH IT WAS WRITTEN. BUT THEY HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED BY ITS UNIVERSAL MESSAGE. HORATIO'S WORDS ECHO WITH THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS. A CHILD WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM, BRINGING PEACE ON EARTH AND GOODWILL TOWARD MEN. BECAUSE OF HIM, AND THROUGH HIS EXAMPLE, THE HUMAN SPIRIT CAN RISE ABOVE TRAGEDY. WHENEVER, HOWEVER WE SUFFER OUR OWN NIGHT OF SORROW, GOD'S LOVE DOES SHINE IN THE DARKNESS. HOPE CAN HEAL THE WOUNDED SOUL. AND THE CHRISTMAS WORK OF GIVING, OF LOVING, SERVING, AND OF RESCUING IS OURS IF WE CHOOSE TO MAKE IT SO. AND AS WE DO, WE JOIN WITH SAINTS AND ANGELS TO REJOICE AND SING, IT IS WELL. IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. (SINGING) AND LORD, HASTE THE DAY WHEN MY FAITH SHALL BE SIGHT. THE CLOUDS BE ROLLED BACK AS A SCROLL. THE TRUMP SHALL RESOUND, AND THE LORD SHALL DESCEND. EVEN SO, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL, WITH MY SOUL. IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL, WITH MY SOUL. IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL, WITH MY SOUL. WITH MY SOUL.

APPLAUSE

MUSIC - "SILENT NIGHT"

CHOIR

(SINGING) 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 SAVIOR IS BORN, CHRIST THE SAVIOR IS BORN. SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT. SON OF GOD, LOVE'S PURE LIGHT. RADIANT BEAMS FROM THY HOLY FACE, WITH THE DAWN OF REDEEMING GRACE. JESUS, LORD, AT THY BIRTH. JESUS, LORD, AT THY BIRTH. JESUS, LORD, AT THY BIRTH. JESUS, LORD, AT THY BIRTH. AT THY BIRTH.

MUSIC PLAYING

CHOIR

AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS, THAT THERE WENT OUT A DECREE FROM CAESAR AUGUSTUS THAT ALL THE WORLD SHOULD BE TAXED. AND ALL WENT TO BE TAXED, EVERY ONE INTO HIS OWN CITY. AND JOSEPH ALSO WENT UP FROM GALILEE, OUT OF THE CITY OF NAZARETH, INTO JUDEA, UNTO THE CITY OF DAVID, WHICH IS CALLED BETHLEHEM, TO BE TAXED WITH MARY, HIS ESPOUSED WIFE, BEING GREAT WITH CHILD. AND SO IT WAS THAT, WHILE THEY WERE THERE, THE DAYS WERE ACCOMPLISHED THAT SHE SHOULD BE DELIVERED. AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRSTBORN SON AND WRAPPED HIM IN SWADDLING CLOTHES AND LAID HIM IN A MANGER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN. AND THERE WERE, IN THE SAME COUNTRY, SHEPHERDS ABIDING IN THE FIELD, KEEPING WATCH OVER THEIR FLOCK BY NIGHT. AND LO, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON THEM. AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHONE ROUND ABOUT THEM, AND THEY WERE SORE AFRAID. AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO THEM, FEAR NOT. FOR, BEHOLD, I BRING YOU GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY, WHICH SHALL BE TO ALL PEOPLE. FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD. AND THIS SHALL BE A SIGN UNTO YOU. YE SHALL FIND THE BABE WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES, LYING IN A MANGER. AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS WITH THE ANGEL A MULTITUDE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST PRAISING GOD AND SAYING, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN. (SINGING) ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY, WING YOUR FLIGHT O'ER ALL THE EARTH. YE WHO SANG CREATION'S STORY NOW PROCLAIM MESSIAH'S BIRTH. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. SHEPHERDS IN THE FIELD ABIDING WATCHING O'ER YOUR FLOCKS BY NIGHT. GOD WITH MAN IS NOW RESIDING. YONDER SHINES THE INFANT LIGHT. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO.

ALL

SAGES LEAVE YOUR CONTEMPLATIONS. BRIGHTER VISIONS BEAM AFAR. SEEK THE GREAT DESIRE OF NATIONS. YE HAVE SEEN HIS NATAL STAR. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO.

CHOIR

SAINTS BEFORE THE ALTAR BENDING, WATCHING LONG IN HOPE AND FEAR. SUDDENLY, THE LORD, DESCENDING, IN HIS TEMPLE SHALL APPEAR.

ALL

THOUGH AN INFANT NOW WE VIEW HIM, HE SHALL FILL HIS FATHER'S THRONE. GATHER ALL THE NATIONS TO HIM, EVERY KNEE SHALL THEN BOW DOWN. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. GLORIA, GLORIA DEO.

APPLAUSE

ANNOUNCER

FOR MORE MUSIC FROM THIS PERFORMANCE,

ALL

(SINGING) GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. GLORIA DEO.

NARRATOR

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