Duke Chapel Comes Alive During the Holidays

Each year, Duke Chapel offers many joyful ways to celebrate the Christmas season.

"There is something for everyone here: a candlelight procession, organ prelude, luminaries, beautiful choral music, lots of audience singing, readings both biblical and popular, bells for everyone to play, Santa Claus and of course the grand procession of donated food for the hungry in our community," says Rodney Wynkoop, director of Chapel music and conductor of the Duke Chorale.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Duke Chorale invites everyone to support the community while enjoying festive holiday music with its annual Christmas concert. The admission "fee" is a donation at the door of non-perishable food items, which will be sent to Urban Ministries of Durham.

"This concert is highly anticipated by hundreds and hundreds of people in our community who pack the Chapel annually for this concert," says Wynkoop.

An early holiday service, the Vespers Service of Lessons and Carols, will be held at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3. The candlelight service will feature Advent liturgy and seasonal music by the Vespers Ensemble.

With the annual tradition of Messiah performances during the first weekend of December, the powerful music of Handel infuses the Chapel with holiday spirit. This year's performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. For information, visit tickets.duke.edu or call 684-4444.

Staff and volunteers use the colors green and red to deck the Chapel halls in mid-December, undertaking a major decorating effort on Dec. 16 to adorn the walls with wreaths, garlands and poinsettias. Mollie Keel, the events and wedding coordinator, organizes an annual community open house, Duke Chapel by Candlelight.

"This will be the 12th annual Duke Chapel by Candlelight -- our gift to the community," says Keel. "It is a special time for all of us to enjoy the beauty of the Advent season -- a time to sit peacefully, preparing our hearts for Christmas."

The open house will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, and all are welcome to come by for seasonal organ music by candlelight.

Christmas Eve at Duke Chapel offers three services for the Duke and Durham community. Those with children are encouraged to attend the Christmas Eve Service for Children at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24. An early evening service of Carols and Holy Communion will be held at 5:30 p.m., and then the traditional service of Lessons and Carols will be held, with the prelude starting at 10:30 p.m. The Chapel recommends arriving at least 30 minutes early for the Lessons and Carols service.

For a complete listing of Duke Chapel events during the holidays, visit: www.chapel.duke.edu.