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by Rebekah Farquhar

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Music Department Puts on
Christmas Extravaganza

Tiffany Simeral, wife of alumnus Cameron Simeral, plays violin in the orchestra with Carlin Davidson on viola., Music Department photo

The 2006 Birthday Celebration, Multnomah Bible College's biennial Christmas performance and birthday party for Jesus, is taking shape as almost 100 volunteers invest their talents in the multimedia event.

Preparations have been underway since the summer. Professor Miriam Gibby, head of MBC's music department, said, "This consumes my life [fall semester]."

Professor Gibby has put together a team of musicians, dancers, vocalists and technicians to produce a professional-quality evening. The choir's 15-piece repertoire totals almost an hour of singing. Dancers will perform during some of the songs, and a professional videographer will provide a live video feed for those sitting in the back of Central Bible Church's auditorium.

On Dec. 1, MBC students and faculty will preview part of the celebration during chapel. A full performance will commence at Central Bible Church that evening as well as Saturday afternoon and evening.

On Dec. 6, the choir will perform a selection of songs at The Grotto in Northeast Portland.

Professor Gibby said that guests will be treated to a true birthday celebration. Hosts will greet individual guests and welcome them. After the performance, more than 2,000 red and white cupcakes will be available to guests; children will receive a small treat as they leave. "We want the guests to leave feeling noticed and important," Professor Gibby said.

The program starts with the worshipful song, "King of Glory," and leads into the Christmas story. Combining traditional hymns such as "Silent Night" and upbeat songs such as the Caribbean "Peace on Earth," the program flows through the gospel message.

"Woven in subliminally is that Christmas is, in the grand scheme, God's answer to the battle between good and evil. It is the beginning of the end for Satan; the song 'Peace on Earth' reflects that," Professor Gibby said.

Between songs, Dr. Garry Friesen, MBC theology professor, will tell of his Christmas memories, moving to a clear gospel presentation.

"The stories will be a remembrance of discovering and enjoying what Christmas really means," Dr. Friesen said. He said he plans to derive some material from his "Friesen Fortnightly" blog. He will break the narratives into five short clips and intersperse them between the songs.

Songs leading to Dr. Friesen's gospel message include "O Holy Night," "Silent Night," "Lo! How a Rose E'er Blooming" and "God So Loved the World." Candles will serve as the primary lighting during part of the evening.

The birthday celebration will be an outreach to the Montavilla community, Professor Gibby said. "I am bringing invitations to the Montavilla community meeting, and we will also mail personal invitations to the surrounding neighborhood."

The 2004 birthday celebration, which had a similar outreach focus, was well received. Professor Gibby said, "I had people asking when we were doing the next one."

The birthday celebration also reaches out to the MBC community. Professor Gibby said, "It is a desire to express our community in Christ. We have several departments, as well as students and alumni, working together on this event."

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