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Written especially for older elementary choirs and younger youth choirs (grades
4-8), The Light Before Christmas celebrates Advent's joyful anticipation of Christ's
birth. The five candles of the Advent wreath provide the central focus for this
service of light that culminates in the lighting of the Christ candle and the arrival of
Christmas.
Highlighting Advent's messages of hope, peace, joy and love, this unique work
offers a variety of flexible presentation options:
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• Full musical – Choir sings the entire work on any Sunday during the Advent
season. (See page 3 for Production Notes.)
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The final scene and song, "An Echo Carol of Praise," celebrates Christ's birth with
the lighting of the Christ candle. If preferred, this piece may be omitted to maintain
an Advent-only presentation. Substitute the alternate Scene 6 narration and sing
"The Wonder of Advent" as a reprise for the final song.
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• Weekly Advent anthems – Choir sings the appropriate song that corresponds
to the Advent candle being lit in the service. (For example, sing "Hope Is Like a
Candle" on the Sunday when the "hope" candle is lit.)
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The same choir or a different choir may present the appropriate anthem each week.
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• Intergenerational choirs – "A Prayer for Peace" provides option for children's
choir, older treble youth choir, and/or adult trebles to join together.
