Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lehighton will welcome the Advent and Christmas season this Sunday with “Sing Joy to All the World,” a Christmas celebration by Lloyd Larson. The hour-long program will begin at 3 p.m.

Performing will be members of the Trinity Sanctuary Choir, guests from other local churches, and a 19-piece orchestra with harp. Kathy Long will narrate.

“Often when we come to this time of year, we can’t believe that the year has gone by so fast,” said Susan Lovejoy, the director of music at Trinity.

“The festivities of Thanksgiving are over, and on Sunday it can be the beginning of the Advent and Christmas season. This a wonderful way to get yourself in the mood for the holiday.”

“Sing Joy to All the World” features a mix of traditional carols and new compositions, each centered on the theme of joy. Songs include “Tidings of Comfort and Joy,” “Joy of Every Longing Heart” and the finale, “Sing Joy to All the World.”

“Even though Advent is a contemplative season, it is preparing us for the joy that we have when we share the birth of Jesus,” said Lovejoy. “We believe that the birth of Jesus brings a world full of sadness into a world of joy.”

While both the start of winter and the Advent season can be dark compared to the festive brightness of Christmas, Larson’s narration notes that those who wait faithfully are promised great joy.

“We live in a world where we always look for a short-term answer to our problems, a quick fix,” she said. “The message in this program is that Jesus coming into the world is a long-term answer for the problems that we have in this world, both personal and global.”

She added that this program is one of the few opportunities to see a live orchestra for free in our area. The 19-piece orchestra features local instrumentalists as well as musicians from the greater Lehigh Valley, New Jersey and Scranton.

“It’s fascinating to watch that harp,” said Lovejoy. “Not a lot of communities can support a live, full orchestra. It’s such a great experience for kids and adults just to see a harp, to watch the timpani, to watch the instrumentalists.”

There is no cost to attend the program. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Trinity Food Pantry, which serves more than 1,000 needy people in the Lehighton Area School District.

Trinity is located at 175 S. Third St., Lehighton.