A TCU tradition for over 40 years, Carols by Candlelight continues on Monday, Dec. 7, with a virtual sharing of songs and scriptures, bringing holiday spirit to the TCU community.
“TCU is a community filled with amazingly gifted and talented students,” Reverend Todd Boling, interim university chaplain, said. “Helping them learn to refine and use those gifts is why we’re here. Carols by Candlelight gives us the opportunity to celebrate TCU students’ incredible talents, and empower them to lead, which embodies what the TCU experience is all about.”
Get ready to enjoy this TCU tradition in a new and meaningful way and welcome in the holiday season together as Horned Frogs. Though in a nontraditional format, the student-led holiday event includes choir performances featuring traditional and newly arranged carols, biblical readings of the birth of Jesus, lighting of the advent candles and a holiday dance performance.
Carols by Candlelight will feature performances from several TCU musical groups including Calling in Action, Cantiamo, Here Comes Treble, The Horned Tones, Purple, White and Blues and Word of Truth Gospel Choir.
“Carols by Candlelight is a symbolic ceremony that serves to bring people together,” Brian Dickson Jr., Word of Truth gospel choir president, said. “The love that individuals will experience while engaging in these videos will be satisfying and will help ease anxiety and stress.”
How to watch Dec. 7
The virtual event video link will be available at 3 p.m. on Dec. 7. TCU students, faculty, staff and alumni will receive an email with the direct link at that time.
The video will also be posted on the Student Affairs website, Instagram page and Facebook page.
“Spending the time to sit down and watch a Christmas service that features so many TCU students is a wonderful way to become more aware of all the talented students we have in so many organizations,” Audrey Carter, Calling in Action co-president, said. “Also, with this year being a video that you can watch at home with your family, it's a way for you to share the TCU experience with your family from wherever your hometown is!”
About Carols by Candlelight:
TCU Carols by Candlelight began back in 1976 in “an attempt to foster a deep and meaningful tradition on campus,” Rev. Boling said. “Emmet Smith, professor of organ and church music in the music department at the time, suggested Carols by Candlelight as a way to establish ‘a tradition that would linger in the memories of alumni.’”
The service centers on singing carols and musical performances by various student groups. This year’s virtual Carols by Candlelight is brought to you by the Student Affairs Office of Religious & Spiritual Life, to celebrate the season and continue the time-honored TCU tradition.