Although I don’t consider myself a religious person, even I can admit to feeling “the spirit” whenever gospel music is on; that ramps up even more during the holiday season, when all I want to do is blast my stereo and pretend like I’m Whitney Houston’s character in The Preacher’s Wife, or Mariah Carey on her stellar recording of “Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child.” Lucky for me: This December marks the 21st anniversary of Gospel Christmas, a joint performance by the Oregon Symphony and the Northwest Community Gospel Choir, which comprises approximately 92 singers from 33 houses of faith and organizations in Portland and beyond.

by Jenni Moore