It’s not every year an institution of higher learning wholly pours itself into a visual, auditory and spiritual celebration of the Christmas season, tapping students, staff and faculty from a variety of departments to collaborate in a singular demonstration of skill and spirit.

That is, unless you’re Gustavus Adolphus College.

The annual Christmas in Christ Chapel celebration opens Dec. 5 and runs through the 7th in Gustavus’ Christ Chapel. The service is a unique performance of more than 350 people from three choirs, an orchestra and a dance company, as well as artist contributions and liturgy.

Part of what sets the program apart from that of other educational institutions is its mixture of both worship and performance.

“It’s really not a Christmas program, but it is. It’s really not a Christian worship service, but it is. It’s at the point where an academy can meet music,” said Patricia Kazarw, Choir of Christ Chapel conductor and professor of music.

“We try and take seriously the context in which we live,” explained Brian Johnson, college chaplain and Christmas in Christ Chapel artistic director. “Living in a collegiate community, there are not only learning possibilities in a worship service like this, there is also all the richness of ideas.”

At the very start of each year, Johnson proposes a theme for the upcoming Christmas service to the college’s choir directors. “We start from scratch every year; we don’t have a formula that we plug into,” said Kazarw, adding that each year the group considers “how we can approach this in a very unique way.”

This year’s theme explores the Christmas story through the traditions of French music and art. Titled, “Joyeux Noel: A Feast of French Music, Art, and Culture,” the theme offered the directors opportunities to mix traditional and contemporary Christmas works.

The choir will perform some old French favorites, such as Bob Chilcott’s “Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes” or by its English title, “Angels from the Realms of Glory.” But she added that they would also do at least one brand new piece — a world premiere of a new arrangement of “People Look East,” by Robert Farlee.

“For someone who knows something about French music they’ll have a delightful experience of looking through the Christmas experience,” said Johnson.

The French influence will permeate through the entire service, he said. Included in the liturgical portions of the service will be contributions from important French Saints, such as Bernard of Clairvaux, Theresa of Lisieux and Father Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin.

But putting together a Christmas service of this magnitude doesn’t come without its share of challenges.

“We’re singing in French,” said Kazarw. “Many of our students have not studied French.”

This meant extra time practicing beyond just the musical rehearsals.

On top of that, the school calendar was less than hospitable this season for students participating in the service. “The way the calendar has fallen, Christmas in Christ Chapel will be on the weekend right before the last week of classes. Exams will start the following Monday.

But despite these stresses, the student performers shine through as always, she said.

“One of the things that we think about is the privilege to stand in front of our choirs and let these young people show that these people are our future,” she said. “They’re talented, engaged and it’s just a privilege.”

For many students, faculty, staff and alumni of Gustavus, Christmas in Christ Chapel is a yearly kick-off to the Christmas season. The show is so popular, the college has packed the 1,000-plus-seat chapel for every single performance for more than a decade. This year looks to be no exception.