Princeton, NJ, November 18, 2011–Princeton Theological Seminary will present three musical services of carols from around the world for the Seminary and Princeton communities on Wednesday, December 7 at 3:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. in Miller Chapel. This annual Christmas tradition has continued for more than twelve years and offers a counterpoint to the more traditional Service of Lessons and Carols. The service includes readings, choral anthems, and congregational carols led by the Princeton Seminary Choir and international students and staff of the Seminary. After each identical service, everyone is invited to carol by candlelight outside of the chapel on the Seminary quadrangle.

A wide array of carols and anthems from different nations and cultures reflects the diverse student body at the Seminary. Of the 539 students enrolled for the 2011–2012 academic year, 22 are international students who come from 16 countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Congo, Dominican Republic, Germany, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Scotland, Taiwan, and the Virgin Islands. As part of the service, students, faculty, and staff will read Advent and Christmas scriptures in their native languages, including German, Spanish, Taiwanese, Tamil, American Sign Language, French, Mandarin, and Chinese.

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present at all three services, and, new this year, the service will include an original composition based on the Korean Christmas song, “Hanüre binranün,” by Master of Divinity students Albert Chung and Sera Chung, both professional composers and musicians.

The event is free and open to the public. For directions to the campus and more information, visit www.ptsem.edu or call 609.497.7890.

Princeton Theological Seminary was founded in 1812, the first seminary established by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. It is the largest Presbyterian Seminary in the country, with more than 500 students in six graduate degree programs.