The Advent Vespers concert of Augsburg College is a cherished tradition for students, alumni and anyone who's been fortunate enough to share in its pageantry and spirituality.

Advent Vespers celebrates the beginning of the Christmas season with traditional and contemporary hymns, anthems and carols. Entertaining an audience of nearly 8,000 concertgoers each year, the Augsburg College Advent Vespers celebration is one of the largest holiday music events in the Twin Cities. Held in the renovated Central Lutheran Church in downtown Minneapolis, the celebration of the Advent/Christmas season combines more than 300 participants: choirs, instrumentalists, readers and a full liturgical party.

In 2004, Augsburg College marked the 25th anniversary of the Advent Vespers, focused on the theme "With Peaceful Wings" and performed at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The concert follows the drama of the processions and captures the splendor of the sounds of the massed choirs scattered throughout the sanctuary.

Each year's concert combines seasonal favorites like O, Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night with music that fits the theme of the celebration. In this performance, a Swedish song, Thy Holy Wings, is sung three different times by the choirs and then, at the end, by the whole congregation.

The special television production is the first in the history of Augsburg College and was made possible through a major gift from The Hoversten family, which has been supporting Augsburg worship, music, and education programs for generations.