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Christmas at Duke Chapel: Services, Concerts, Open House

Duke Chapel continues its reopening year of celebration with Christmas services, concerts and events

Christmas at Duke Chapel: Services, Concerts, Open House
Christmas at Duke Chapel: Services, Concerts, Open House

Duke University Chapel will hold worship services on Christmas Eve at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

All the services are free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Bryan Center Parking Garage at no charge on a first-come basis; accessible parking and drop off will be available from the Bryan Center Parking Lot located behind Duke Chapel and near the accessible entrance to the chapel. Attendees of the 11 p.m. service should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance, as seats often fill up; no overflow seating will be available.

“Our country has been focused on a transition of government,” said the Rev. Luke A. Powery, dean of Duke University Chapel, “but at Christmas we are reminded of an even more important transfer of power, a higher power -- when the emperors, kings, and governors of the world were supplanted by a pregnant teenage girl and the baby she miraculously conceived out of wedlock for the salvation of the world.

“It is about this powerful child we sing, ‘His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace,’ " Powery said.

The service at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 is suited for families with young children. The service at 4 p.m. includes Christmas carols, singing by the Durham Children’s Choir, Holy Communion and preaching by Powery. The 6 p.m. service features carols, the Amalgam brass ensemble and a sermon from the dean. The traditional service of Lessons and Carols begins at 11 p.m., with an instrumental prelude at 10:30 p.m.

The final Christmas Eve service will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable News on channels 14 or 200, beginning at 11 p.m.

“Time Warner Cable News is pleased to continue providing North Carolina viewers across the state with a live telecast of Duke Chapel’s Christmas Eve service,” said Craig Hume, Time Warner Cable’s senior regional news director. “We want to offer everyone access to the church service as they observe the holiday season.”

The 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service will also be broadcast on 620 AM WDNC Radio. All of the Christmas Eve services will be webcast live on the chapel’s website and YouTube channel, as well as in Duke Hospital on channel 12.

In advance of Christmas, the chapel continues its 84-year tradition of performing George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” Internationally renowned soloists will join an orchestra of North Carolina professionals and the chapel choir to sing the story of a world in darkness that is redeemed by the risen Jesus.

“Messiah” performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets are available through the Duke University box office; each Duke student may receive one free ticket.

Another Duke Chapel tradition is its Christmas Open House. On Tuesday, Dec. 20, the chapel’s main sanctuary will be decorated for Christmas, and have music for the season, from noon to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

In addition to the chapel’s regular weekly worship services, other holiday events at the chapel include:

-- 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6: Raleigh Jazz Orchestra concert for Duke staff and faculty

-- 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8: Advent Lessons and Carols worship service led by the Duke Vespers Ensemble

-- 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10: Choral Society of Durham concert

-- 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11: Choral Society of Durham concert

-- 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16: Vocal Arts Ensemble concert

-- 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18: Complete Bach Organ Works series continues with a recital by Duke Chapel organist Christopher Jacobson titled “A German Christmas: Music for Advent and Christmas.”

On Christmas Day, a Sunday, the chapel will hold a worship service at 11 a.m. and then be closed following the service. It will open to the public 8 a.m.–8 p.m. from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Normal hours of 8 a.m.–10 p.m. resume on Jan. 2.

Before planning a visit to the Chapel, please confirm event details at chapel.duke.edu or by calling (919) 681-9488.