The Christmas spirit was alive and warm at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, December 4. Christmas carols performed and led by the Canadian Staff Band—under bandmaster John Lam—enhanced the festivities at Ontario Central-East Division's Christmas with The Salvation Army event.

A highlight was the presentation to Robert and Shirley McArthur of the Order of the Founder Award (click to read more). Commissioners William W. and Marilyn D. Francis, territorial leaders, attended their final Christmas with The Salvation Army event prior to retirement and were proud to present the McArthurs, soldiers of North York Temple, Toronto, Ont., with their certificate and medal for honourable service.

Commissioner William Francis opened the segment by referring to the children's poem Mary Had a Little Lamb which is a lesson in love, giving, sharing and bringing joy. The Commissioner said at Christmas we rejoice because the Virgin Mary had a little lamb—the Lamb of God—and he, too, came to bring joy, love and peace to our lives.

Likewise, there are many people in the Caribbean who have been helped by the McArthurs missionary work in the territory, restoring and rebuilding Salvation Army facilities for more than two decades. It was this work that led to the recognition through the Order of the Founder.

Earlier in the evening, Captain John Murray, DSPR, introduced the Honourable David C. Onley, lieutenant governor of Ontario, who joined Salvationists and friends at the annual Christmas event and spoke on restoring and rebuilding.

He noted that The Salvation Army, especially at Christmas, is committed to repairing broken lives and rebuilding relationships.

“I can think of no better way to honour the birth of Christ than as The Salvation Army does, to bring hope to those in need,” shared Onley. “And tonight, the Army offers us the gift of music to touch our hearts and to remind us of the ultimate gift for us all. As the Queen's representative in the province, I applaud The Salvation Army for all that you do.”

Another returning guest for the fourth consecutive year was Colin Fox, a Canadian dramatist and narrator. During the event he dramatically read from Scripture—Luke 2:8-16 and Matthew 2:1-12—and excerpts from Charles Dickens classics The Pickwick Papers and, perennial favourite, A Christmas Carol.

“I always look on any reading—whether it is from Scripture or Charles Dickens—as a way of telling a story,” said Fox. “And the more conversational that you make it, the more intimate that you make it. Even in a big hall like this one, it draws the audience into the story and that's the most important thing. It's a wonderful feeling to know that the audience is actually following with you. I don't think there is any better set-builder or special effects expert than the human imagination.”

The Peterborough Singers, directed by Sydney Birrell, were welcomed for the first time to the event. The 100 voice choral ensemble performed independently and with the Festival Chorus comprised of songsters from London Citadel, North York Temple, Oshawa Temple, Peterborough Temple and Yorkminster Citadel. On many occasions, the singing was accompanied by Ian Sadler, Canadian concert organist and choral director.

Another new and distinguished guest was Michael Baker from The Salvation Army's Montclair Citadel, U.S.A. Eastern Territory. The trumpet soloist holds a bachelor and master of music degree from the Juilliard School in New York, and plays with the New York Philharmonic, New York Staff Band, New Jersey Symphony and New Amsterdam Band.

Baker performed four solos—Gloria in Excelsis, Rhapsody for Cornet and Band, What Child is This and Blessed Assurance— on trumpet, cornet, piccolo trumpet and flugel horn with support from the Canadian Staff Band. He also played Christians Be Joyful as a trumpet trio with Canadian Staff Band members Steve Brown and Andrew Burditt, with support from the Peterborough Singers.

“Musically speaking, performing so many solos was a fun challenge,” Baker shared. “It is hard for people to listen to the spoken word of the Christmas message, but music can break down that barrier.”

The night was full of band and songster selections, dramatic readings, prayer and carols, reaching out to people of all walks of life. It ended with two congregational songs: O Come All Ye Faithful and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, marking a definite, festive moment of the Christmas season.

“Christmas with The Salvation Army aims to glorify God through the musical expressions offered in celebration of the birth of Jesus,” said Major Len Ballantine, artistic director. “This is the point of our music as it is the point of every expression of Salvation Army ministry to this community and around the world.”