Contact: Brad Heegel, Director of College Relations
Phone: (605) 351-3602
Fax: (605) 274-4903
www.augie.edu

November 5, 2004

Augustana Christmas Vespers 2004: “Children See Him”

SIOUX FALLS - For over 65 years the Augustana community has celebrated the birth of Christ in song.

Again this December, the joy of Christmas will reverberate through the streets of downtown Sioux Falls as the Augustana Choir, Collegiate Chorale, Women's Choir, and Brass Choir raise their voices to proclaim the good news of Christ as “Children See Him.”

Performing musical selections from around the world, the ensembles hope to create the sense of wonder that comes with being a child at Christmas.

In keeping with the theme of this year's Christmas Vespers, and working with the campus Christmas Giving program, the college hoped to stir up some extra Christmas spirit by acquiring an exhibit of children's artwork from The International Collection of Child Art in Illinois. The exhibit, entitled "Christmas Around the World #1," represents the visual expressions of children from 17 countries on the meaning of Christmas. The thirty pieces celebrate the individuality and unity that Christmas brings each year through colorful illustrations of family traditions, cultural events, and the birth of the Christ child in homes around the world.

It is our hope that with these heart-warming images and the beautiful music of Vespers, the Christmas spirit will be both embraced and celebrated by the entire community this year—through the eyes of a child. Celebrate Christmas with Augustana College. Vespers services will be held Friday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 327 S. Dakota Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls. On Sunday, December 5, Vespers will be held at 1:30 & 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Cathedral, 521 N. Duluth Avenue.

Tickets are $10 each and can be ordered by calling the Augustana Box Office at (605) 274-4613.