Joy of Christmas

A 50-year holiday tradition bringing together Augustana students and Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Ill., will continue online this year.

"Joy of Christmas Past" will premiere on YouTube at 7:30 p.m. Dec 9.

The two Augustana communities will present a celebration featuring Christmas hymns, the reading of the Christmas story in English, Spanish and Swedish, and a Christmas sermon delivered in 1975 by Conrad Bergendoff, Augustana's president from 1935-1962.

The Rev. Reed Pedersen, pastor of Augustana Lutheran, produced the broadcast, which will include  hymns performed by Augustana College organist Christopher Nelson, complete with lyrics provided for singing along at home.

Students will read the Gospel of Luke in English and Spanish, with a recording of the Swedish translation read by Dr. Bergendoff.

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