The annual Christmas concerts of the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square have once again transformed downtown Salt Lake City into a gathering place of reverence, joy, and wonder. Hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the 2025 concerts celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with music that lifts the heart and gently turns attention heavenward.
The Conference Center was packed for the three-night performance Dec. 11-13. For those who planned months in advance—or waited patiently in long standby lines—the effort proved worthwhile. As it so often does, the Choir’s Christmas offering became far more than a concert. It became an experience.
A Sacred Focus
“This is a little different than some of the other concerts we’ve done,” said President Gary B. Porter of the Tabernacle Choir Presidency during a Friday morning news conference. “Just a little less pageantry—with a focus on Jesus Christ.”
That focus set the tone from the opening notes. Under the direction of music director Mack Wilberg and associate music director Ryan Murphy, the Choir launched the evening with exuberant expressions of praise, including “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” “Joy to the World,” and “’Tis Joy When Moon and Stars Above.” The sound filled the vast hall with warmth rather than grandeur alone, reminding listeners that sacred music has a way of making even the largest spaces feel intimate.
Stephanie J. Block, the Tony Award–winning Broadway star, described it perfectly: “There is a hug factor to this Conference Center,” she said. “It felt welcoming.”
A First in Choir Christmas History
This year’s guest artists brought a unique distinction. Block and her husband, Broadway and television actor Sebastian Arcelus, became the first married couple to appear together as featured performers in the Choir’s Christmas concerts.
President Porter likened their presence to the quiet power of the Nativity itself. “You can feel that magic between the two of them as they perform,” he said. “And as you have Mary and Joseph in the background, and seeing the love that reflects between the two of them … is just wonderful.”
That sense of shared life and shared purpose resonated deeply throughout the program.
Music That Spoke Many Languages
Block’s rich, expressive voice shone in beloved carols such as “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” and “What Child Is This?” She also offered a joyful medley that included “My Favorite Things,” reminding listeners that familiar melodies can feel new when framed by the spirit of the season.
Joined by Arcelus, she performed “Merry Christmas, Darling,” their voices blending with a tenderness that felt both personal and universal. The couple also delighted the audience with shared renditions of Christmas favorites, including “Jingle Bells” and a reverent “Silent Night.”
Arcelus returned to his Latin roots with Spanish-language selections such as “Vamos, ya Pastores,” adding cultural richness to the evening. Guest instrumentalists Julian Mansilla and Leandro Curaba—who recently appeared with the Choir during its Argentina tour—further expanded the concert’s global reach.
The Bells at Temple Square and the Gabriel Trumpet Ensemble added brilliance and color, while organist Richard Elliott offered a moving arrangement of “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains,” grounding the program in gentle reflection.
An Intimate Space, A Transcendent Moment
Despite the Conference Center’s 21,000-seat capacity, both guest artists spoke of the surprising intimacy of the setting.
“My anxiety started to put myself in a whole bunch of different scenarios,” Block admitted. “But when we did walk in and all of these seats were filled, it didn’t do what my anxiety was imagining. It was quite the opposite. I can only use the word ‘hug.’ There’s an embrace.”
Arcelus described the experience as “transcendent,” particularly performing alongside his wife. “The first person that you lock eyes with is your own wife,” he said. “So it changes the chemistry of the entire evening—to be working together, living in a moment together, in the service of something larger.”
Block reflected on how that authenticity carries beyond the stage. “Sharing the stage with someone that you love…people recognize that,” she said. “It automatically creates a warmth.”
The Story at the Center
Midway through the program, Block and Arcelus read the Christmas story from Luke 2, allowing scripture to stand simply and powerfully on its own. The moment underscored what distinguishes this concert from many others: music here is not an end in itself, but a witness.
The evening concluded with “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” a beloved Choir favorite arranged by Mack Wilberg, who has guided these Christmas concerts for more than 25 years. As the final chords echoed through the hall, the audience rose in gratitude—not merely for a remarkable performance, but for a renewed reminder of why Christmas matters.
Celebrating the Savior
In a season crowded with noise and spectacle, the Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concerts continue to offer something quietly countercultural: beauty in service of belief, excellence in service of devotion, and artistry that points beyond itself.
For those who attended in person—or who will experience the concert through future broadcasts—the message was unmistakable. At the heart of Christmas is not pageantry, but the Savior. And when that truth is sung with sincerity, it has the power to embrace thousands at once.
