This year's annual Christmas With The Salvation Army dazzled attendees with its blend of music, fellowship and festive joy as Salvationists, officers and mission partners gathered at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. The event featured special guest Miriam Khalil, Canadian soprano, alongside the Canadian Staff Band (CSB), Canadian Staff Songsters (CSS), NEON, organist Ian Sadler and the 97-person Festival Chorus.

The festivities commenced with a captivating rendition of Hope Alive, a collaboration between all territorial staff sections, the organ and the Festival Chorus, skillfully led by Heather Osmond, territorial music and arts secretary. Colonel John Chamness, chief secretary, set the stage with a heartfelt welcome, followed by a congregational carol sing of O Come, All Ye Faithful, fostering a sense of unity and joy among attendees.

A highlight of the night, Miriam Khalil took centre stage, delivering a crystalline rendition of White Christmas accompanied by the CSB. Expressing her sentiment of singing among family, Khalil joined forces with piano and drums for performances of Christmas classics, such as The Christmas Song and Greensleeves. NEON, the latest addition to the territorial music and arts department as staff worship team, then led a contemporary and upbeat arrangement of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

After a brief intermission, six percussionists from across the staff sections took centre stage for a vibrant rendition of Little Drummer Boy, joined by NEON. The traditional Christmas tunes continued as the CSB presented an energetic arrangement of Carol of the Bells, and the CSS, led by Cathie Koehnen, sang Tidings of Great Joy. Khalil returned with pianist Rachel Ewing for a mesmerizing performance of Handel's Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion.

Joined by Sadler on the organ, the CSB, CSS, Festival Chorus and Khalil came together to perform O Holy Night. The territorial communications department and Lt-Colonel John Murray, territorial secretary for communications, presented the 2022 Annual Report, highlighting the Army’s ministry to 2.7 million people across Canada and Bermuda last year, and real-life stories from ministry units, such as the Wiseman Centre in St. John’s, N.L., and Connection Point Church in Victoria.

As the evening came to a close, Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander, shared on the gentleness of Jesus’s coming and kingdom. “In the days of Herod the King, Jesus, the King of Kings, was born—the servant King; the Saviour,” he said, emphasizing the contrast between King Herod’s reign and the tender nature of the newborn baby Jesus. Then, Commissioner Graves led a prayer and wished the congregation a merry Christmas.

In a spectacular grand finale, Khalil performed Angels, From the Realms of Glory, featuring the full force of the CSB, CSS, Festive Chorus, NEON and Sadler, earning a standing ovation. The audience then joined in singing Joy to the World.

Watch Christmas With The Salvation Army 2023 here: