“Luz de las Naciones” Celebrates Latin America Christmas Traditions
Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer
Thousands gathered in the Conference Center on December 17 for the Church’s annual Latino Christmas concert. Titled “Luz de las Naciones: Venid Adoremos” (“Light of the Nations: Come Let Us Adore Him”), the Spanish-language event celebrated Christmas through the music and dance of the Americas.
Article Highlights
- Thousands met in the Conference Center for the Church’s Latino Christmas concert.
- A choir and soloists shared many of Latin America’s most beloved Christmas songs.
- Others in the cast performed colorful dances from a variety of nations.
For many foreign-born Latinos, Christmas in the Beehive State can seem a bit different from the holiday of their childhood.
Utah's snowfall, freezing temperatures, and icy roads are chilly departures for those who grew up celebrating Christmas in tropical climes. But for at least 90 minutes on December 17, Salt Lake City became the northernmost tip of Latin America.
Thousands gathered in the Conference Center for the Church's annual Latino Christmas concert. Titled “Luz de las Naciones: Venid adoremos” (“Light of the Nations: Come Let Us Adore Him”), the Spanish-language event celebrated Christmas through the music and dance of the Americas.
A mixed choir combined with several soloists to share many of Latin America's most beloved Christmas songs. Others in the cast performed colorful dances from a variety of nations. Meanwhile, musicians played traditional instruments—bringing the sounds of the Andes, Mexico, and other regions to the Conference Center stage.
Near the conclusion of the concert, a giant pinata dropped from the Conference Center ceiling, delighting the crowd.
While the atmosphere was certainly festive, the evening remained focused on the birth of Christ. Several video clips and narratives captured the spirit of the season—including a Spanish-language reading of a seasonal message from President Thomas S. Monson and the Book of Mormon account of Samuel the Lamanite prophesying of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The popular Church-sponsored event is an annual holiday gift to the greater Salt Lake City community. Scores of volunteers once again donated their time and talents to bring the Christmas traditions of Latin America to the Conference Center.
Thousands gathered in the Conference Center on December 17 for the Church’s annual Latino Christmas concert. Entitled “Luz de las Naciones: Venid adoremos” (“Light of the Nations: Come Let Us Adore Him”), the Spanish-language event celebrated Christmas through the music and dance of the Americas.
Thousands gathered in the Conference Center on December 17 for the Church’s annual Latino Christmas concert. Entitled “Luz de las Naciones: Venid adoremos” (“Light of the Nations: Come Let Us Adore Him”), the Spanish-language event celebrated Christmas through the music and dance of the Americas.
Thousands gathered in the Conference Center on December 17 for the Church’s annual Latino Christmas concert. Entitled “Luz de las Naciones: Venid adoremos” (“Light of the Nations: Come Let Us Adore Him”), the Spanish-language event celebrated Christmas through the music and dance of the Americas.
Thousands gathered in the Conference Center on December 17 for the Church’s annual Latino Christmas concert. Entitled “Luz de las Naciones: Venid adoremos” (“Light of the Nations: Come Let Us Adore Him”), the Spanish-language event celebrated Christmas through the music and dance of the Americas.
Thousands gathered in the Conference Center on December 17 for the Church’s annual Latino Christmas concert. Entitled “Luz de las Naciones: Venid adoremos” (“Light of the Nations: Come Let Us Adore Him”), the Spanish-language event celebrated Christmas through the music and dance of the Americas.
Thousands gathered in the Conference Center on December 17 for the Church’s annual Latino Christmas concert. Entitled “Luz de las Naciones: Venid adoremos” (“Light of the Nations: Come Let Us Adore Him”), the Spanish-language event celebrated Christmas through the music and dance of the Americas.
