Trace Adkins narrates the Christmas story during the Candlelight Processional at Epcot in Walt Disney World. ©Julia Lillegard
Every year, the Walt Disney World Resort offers a variety of festivities to celebrate the winter holidays, ranging from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas parties, to spectacular fireworks shows, to presentations of Christmas celebrations from around the world at Epcot. Holiday performances are held in and around each of the pavilions for about a month. This year the dates are November 25 through December 30. The most epic of these presentations is without a doubt the Candlelight Processional.
The Candlelight Processional is absolutely stunning. The execution of the performance is flawless and absolutely breathtaking, but for me, that isn’t what makes the processional truly special. In a world of political correctness gone awry, the Candlelight Processional – at Walt Disney World, no less – serves as a reminder that we can still celebrate the true reason for Christmas in public places in America.
The Holidays Around the World flyer describes the Candlelight Processional as “a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir.” The processional is held in the America Gardens Theatre near the American Adventure pavilion in the World Showcase. Celebrity narrators are chosen to narrate three performances a night for three consecutive nights, so the processional varies greatly over the course of the month. The mass choir also changes. The center section of the choir, dressed in green, consists of cast members who volunteer to sing on their days off. Dressed in red and black are the Voices of Liberty, who normally represent the United States in the American Adventure pavilion. Last but not least are the guest choirs, selected from high school programs and churches through an audition process. They are dressed in gold. I counted 233 different schools and churches in the program. Some of these institutions are from Florida, but others are from places as far away as Illinois and Pennsylvania.
As the name might suggest, the Candlelight Processional begins with the choir proceeding onstage while carrying lit candles. The effect is really impressive. The entire performance is filled with beautiful renditions of traditional hymns, such as “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Il Est Né,” and “Silent Night,” interspersed with the story of Christ’s birth. On the night I chose to attend, Trace Adkins was performing the role of celebrity narrator. I must say, his deep voice lent a sense of conviction to the performance. I can’t imagine a voice that would be better-suited for the role.
©Julia Lillegard
After telling of Jesus’ birth, the narrative went on to mention His execution and the impact His life has had on the world. It ended with these words: “For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” The performance was capped off with the Hallelujah Chorus, followed by a recessional.
Now, I know that the Walt Disney Company is a major corporation. The Candlelight Processional may be just good business sense on their part, but as long as I can hear the real story of Christmas at Walt Disney World during regular park hours, accompanied by a glorious mass choir and a 50-piece orchestra, I will consider myself blessed. And as Trace Adkins so eloquently finished his performance, may God bless all of us.
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