The Centennial Memorial Temple was filled to capacity for the 2007 Christmas Spectacular on Sunday, December 9, 2007.  All in attendance were anticipating a dynamic reminder of the true meaning of Christmas through music and drama and no one went home disappointed.  The Music and Creative Arts Department, under the direction of Gordon Ward, once again produced an “off-Broadway” caliber program.

The dramatic musical, Finding Christmas (story by Paul McCusker and General Eva Burrows - stage adaptation by Raymond Livingston) was the story of the Graham Family (Gavin Whitehouse, Captain Karen Alverio, Loreita Vaughn, Jessie Rock and Ryan Livingston) that struggled from the frenzied activities of the holiday season which blurred the true meaning of the Christmas.  A simple invitation to the Christmas Eve Service by a church member, Mr. Johnson (Captain Christopher Streck), led the Graham Family to the reminder that the Babe of Christmas is the Savior of all mankind.  This was shared through a message by the “church pastor”, Captain Amanda Krueger. 

Beautiful music was provided by the Christmas Ensemble: Christopher Ward, Douglas Berry, Scott Garman, Dorothy Gates, Lorena Simmonds, Burt Mason Simon Morton, Bob Jones and Andrew Garcia. Vocalists Captain Christopher Streck, Katherine Padilla, Victoria Ward, Stephen Ditmer, Gavin Whitehouse shared their gifts and talents that brought us into the Christmas spirit and before His throne.

Divisional Commander, Major Guy D. Klemanski, underscored the Christmas message to the congregation by basing his thoughts on 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”  That Gift became flesh on Christmas morning and is available to all who will receive Him as their Redeemer.  God honored the message of the evening through men and women receiving Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior.

The many members of the cast and crew of this thought-provoking presentation are to be commended for their diligent preparation. God’s Spirit was certainly tangible in the Temple on that evening.