The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

Time to (really) think of Christmas

This Thursday, we at the Niswonger finish our Christmas concert season with the DePue Brothers, a rollicking, fun, and memorable night of fiddling and beautiful Christmas music.  It will mark the end of five concerts this Holiday Season for us.  It has been busy, but certainly memorable!  Each concert has offered a different take on the seasonal music by extraordinary musicians.  This Thursday will be no exception.

Not only have we been busy at the Niswonger, but there have been many other community and school opportunities to get your fill of Christmas without ever having to leave the area.  As we wrap up our holiday season offerings, my attention turns to the music of Christmas in His house — the One for whom Christmas is all about.

I know many churches in the area are planning special services with wonderful Christmas music.  I encourage you to check out your church, and if you don’t have one you are associated with, perhaps now is the time to get involved.  For me, personally, I enjoy the tradition of Christmas in a beautifully decorated church sanctuary.  This Sunday at First United Methodist in Van Wert, we have special music with four hands on the piano, pipe organ, hand bells, brass, percussion, choir and rich congregational singing.  I am quite sure your church and many others are planning some special music you won’t want to miss.

I love the fun music at Christmas time like “Winter Wonderland,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (don’t we wish!), “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and I can even occasionally enjoy “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.”

But it is the Christmas music that tells the actual story of the holiday that really gets me excited. Songs like “Silent Night,” especially when the sanctuary is filled with the a cappella vocal sounds with candles being lit, “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” and “Joy to the World,” with the triumphal sounds of brass and organ, which really make my spirits soar.

Christmas is filled with so much wonderful music!  I’m sure you will take the time to enjoy the sounds of the season in your own way. May the reason for the season help you to enjoy this time of the year.

As we look ahead into the new year, we have another half of a season remaining. Twelve exciting concerts, speakers and events will keep you wanting to come back to the Niswonger this year. Such notable performers as Craig Wayne Boyd, winner of NBC’s “The Voice”; soft rock legends Air Supply; the great BJ Thomas, with the Lima Symphony Orchestra; and many, many more remain this year.

A Niswonger gift card gives someone the gift of music of their choosing. Check at the box office before it’s too late.  We will be open through December 23.  It just might be the perfect gift to bail you out!

FINÉ.

POSTED: 12/15/15 at 5:46 pm. FILED UNDER: News