There’s one Christmas event in Lehighton that COVID-19 couldn’t impair.

The annual Ecumenical Christmas Cantata, organized by the music department of Zion United Church of Christ, was held in the Lehighton Park Amphitheater.

More than 150 people attended the program, which included 50 singers from about two dozen Carbon County churches.

The cantata was graced with exemplary weather conditions. Skies were clear and temperatures hit the mid-50s.

The program was directed by Bradly R. Cressley, music director at Zion UCC.

Every year, the cantata is held before capacity crowds in the Paul R. Smith Auditorium of Zion United Church of Christ. So that the event didn’t have to be canceled, Cressley moved it to the Lehighton Park Amphitheater.

Cressley said he was pleased with the turnout and participation. He said, “I am happy people were following (COVID-19) guidelines with masks and social distancing. I was very, very pleased with everything.”

Although admission was free, a goodwill offering was taken. The money obtained from the donations was split 50-50 between the cantata and the Family Promise program, which provides shelter and other programs for the homeless and poverty stricken.

Narration was done by Kathy Long of Lehighton.

Laura Reichard was accompanist for the Ecumenical Choir. She also did the prelude, titled “The Manger.”

The introductory message was by the Rev. Dr. Dean Frey, pastor of Zion UCC Church.

Ironically, the title of the cantata is “All is Well,” which could be interpreted as a contradiction of the current times. Instead, it served as a metaphor of the times endured at the time of the birth of Jesus.

Pastor Frey said, “Come, all who are faithful and all who seek joy in your lives,” to which the response was “It is the season to sing praises to God, for the Christ Child is near.”

“The symbols of hope, peace, love and joy shine brightly in our hearts,” he said.

Some of the popular carols sung by the Ecumenical Choir included “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.”