You may be accustomed to watching Christmas broadcasts originating from Temple Square in Salt Lake City—The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Christmas concert and the First Presidency Christmas devotional are some annual favorites. But this year, members worldwide are invited to view a special Christmas concert produced by the Church’s Europe Area.
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The interfaith broadcast, titled Witnesses of Christmas, will originate from the Rome Temple Visitors’ Center and Copenhagen’s historic Church of Our Lady on December 19. With a decidedly European feel, the concert will feature guests Alexandra Sharpe, an Irish soprano and founding member of internationally renowned group Celtic Woman; and Tomas Ambt Kofod, a Danish actor and vocalist. Also featured will be Jenny Oaks Baker, a Grammy-nominated Latter-day Saint violinist who will also headline A Deseret Book Christmas this year.
The concert’s two filming locations share a unique connection: both feature Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue—the original is in the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen, and a reproduction stands in the Rome Visitor’s Center. The statue has become a beloved image for Latter-day Saints, and its likeness was announced as the Church’s official symbol last year.
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Witnesses of Christmas will be available in 24 languages and can be viewed live on Facebook when it airs December 19 at 6:00 p.m. Central European Time (10:00 a.m. MST) or on-demand until January 6, 2022. The concert is part of the Light the World with Love global Christmas campaign.
Watch a preview of the event below:
