The services feature a variety of Hope instrumental and vocal groups as well as the college’s historic Skinner organ.

Tickets are $10 each, with a limit of four per person.  Tickets will not be sold at the services.

The Events and Conferences Office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The office can be called at (616) 395-7890.

Christmas Vespers was first held on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941. The timing, Pearl Harbor Day, was coincidental, with the program having been planned earlier in the semester.  The first service included performances by multiple ensembles, as well as an organ soloist and an organ and piano duet, and ended with the Chapel Choir singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.”

In response to strong audience interest, Christmas Vespers expanded to two services annually beginning in 1967, three services beginning in 1973 and to the current total of four services beginning in 1978.