'Marvel of This Night' Christmas Special to Get National Broadcast
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Duke undergraduate student Jordyn Blake sings a solo during the Chapel service.
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Duke undergraduate student Jordyn Blake sings a solo during the Chapel service.
Duke undergraduate student Jordyn Blake sings a solo during the Chapel service.
The full, hour-long program The Marvel of this Night: Christmas at Duke University Chapel, produced by Duke Chapel in collaboration with campus partners, aired on CBS stations around the country and also streamed on the CBS All Access website on December 24, 2019, at 11:35 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. Watch a preview of the program:
Christmas came to Duke Chapel a bit early this year.
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the Chapel was full of students, faculty, staff and community members who took part in a Christmas service that will air as an hour-long program on national television on Christmas Eve.
The program, titled The Marvel of this Night: Christmas at Duke University Chapel, was directed by Dr. Zebulon Highben, director of Chapel Music, and the Rev. Bruce Puckett, assistant dean of the Chapel, with the participation of colleagues from across the university and health system, the Chapel congregation and the local community. CBS Television selected the Chapel for its national Christmas broadcast this year.
 Alt Text: Dr. Philip Cave, associate conductor for Chapel Music, leads a choral performance. Title Text: Dr. Philip Cave, associate conductor for Chapel Music, leads a choral performance. Dr. Philip Cave, associate conductor for Chapel Music, leads a choral performance. |
The Marvel of This Night takes its name from a hymn by Jaroslav Vajda, written in 1981, that exhorts angels to proclaim the birth of Jesus to the world. The music and readings in the program are inspired by the traditional lessons and carols service held at Duke Chapel for more than fifty years.
“The Chapel is truly Duke’s front door—a symbol of our community and a spiritual home for so many in the region,” said Duke President Vincent E. Price, who introduced the program. “This broadcast allows us to welcome the world to our campus, delivering a message of hope and joy through words and music.”
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Community members filled Duke Chapel to participate in the service. At the end, the audience gave the performers a long and loud ovation.
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Community members filled Duke Chapel to participate in the service. At the end, the audience gave the performers a long and loud ovation.
Community members filled Duke Chapel to participate in the service. At the end, the audience gave the performers a long and loud ovation.