Delicate question about the Candlelight Processional Show

[peg2001]

I'm will word this as carefully as I can and I sincerely hope no one finds the question upsetting. I read descriptions of the Candlelight Processional on several different websites because I was trying to decide if my family should try it or skip it. Only one website came right out and stated that the show was from a Christian biblical perspective and had a very religious tone. Would you agree with this assessment? We enjoy Christmas music but if the show resembles sitting through a church service, it is definitely not for us.

Thank you,
Peg

 

[vicki_c]

It has some resemblance to sitting through a church service. We are more of an agnostic / lapsed _____ / never go to church / kids aren't baptized type family. But we still went and it was nice. Even my non-religious kids (7 and 9 at the time) know who Jesus is and the general story of Jesus' birth and that's what they read at the processional - the Bible passages about Jesus' birth and the star and the wise men. Interspersed through the reading are religious Christmas songs - so no Frosty or Rudolph there. It is definitely religious in tone.

It was actually very nice. There is a lot of waiting in line though (with the dinner package we still waited 45 minutes) and then sitting through the show, so I wouldn't take very young children myself, but others do.

 

[d1gitman]

1. I'm will word this as carefully as I can and I sincerely hope no one finds the question upsetting. It won't matter, this thread will spiral out of control, crash and burn.

I have never done the CP so I can't offer any suggestions on what it's actually like.

 

[RabFlmom]

I'm will word this as carefully as I can and I sincerely hope no one finds the question upsetting. I read descriptions of the Candlelight Processional on several different websites because I was trying to decide if my family should try it or skip it. Only one website came right out and stated that the show was from a Christian biblical perspective and had a very religious tone. Would you agree with this assessment? We enjoy Christmas music but if the show resembles sitting through a church service, it is definitely not for us.

Thank you,
Peg

It is a beautiful show with a large choir (young and older people which includes Disney employees and school groups) and an orchestra that sings and plays Christmas songs about the birth of Jesus. No "Here Comes Santa Clause" type songs. There is a celebrity reader who will read some verses from the Bible and then the choir sings an appropriate song. That is the pattern...read some verses about the birth of Jesus followed by a song.

Is it like going to church? There isn't a sermon but the guest speaker does read from the Bible. It lasts about an hour. If you are not sure you would want to see the whole show, you can stand and watch some of it from the sidewalk if you want to see if it would be something you could enjoy. I was blown away the first time I saw it, and now it is part of Christmas for us.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would say Vicki's thoughts are pretty spot on. I think you might be able to compare it to one of the biblical movies, popular in the 50's/60's, interspersed with music/songs of the Christmas Season.

 

[Matt'sMom]

We really enjoy the CP. I would describe it as a telling of the Christmas story (the birth of Christ) through music, narration and biblical readings.

Will anyone be preaching to you or attempting to convert you to Christianity? No, absolutely not.

I quite thoroughly enjoy a wide variety of music, philosophies and stories stemming from numerous different religions and cultures. The religion I personally practice does not limit my ability to appreciate these things. If you feel similarly, then I would not hesitate to attend the CP, even if you are not a practicing Christian. The Candlelight Processional truly is beautifully composed and wonderfully presented.

 

[fla4fun]

We really enjoy the CP. I would describe it as a telling of the Christmas story (the birth of Christ) through music, narration and biblical readings.

Will anyone be preaching to you or attempting to convert you to Christianity? No, absolutely not.

I quite thoroughly enjoy a wide variety of music, philosophies and stories stemming from numerous different religions and cultures. The religion I personally practice does not limit my ability to appreciate these things. If you feel similarly, then I would not hesitate to attend the CP, even if you are not a practicing Christian. The Candlelight Processional truly is beautifully composed and wonderfully presented.

I agree with this. It is definitely a religious program, because they read from the Bible. There's no getting around that. There have been some posts on other threads about people who were offended because they didn't know this fact in advance. They expected something more along the lines of a choir singing secular Christmas music. That's not what this is at all. Although it may have more meaning to those of the Christian faith, it can be enjoyed by people of many faiths and beliefs so long as they appreciate a good show. People looking for a more secular experience would probably be better served by MVMCP and the storytellers in the WS pavilions.

At the same time, there's no sermon, no one preaching about conversion or salvation. There's no denominational slant. To me, it's no different than listening to the story of Hannukah that is presented in the lobby of the American Adventure. The story of Hannukah involves religious content, but I don't have to be Jewish to enjoy and appreciate it. It's another of our December Disney traditions.

 

[peg2001]

Thank you, everyone. This was just the information that I was needing.

Peg

 

[calmpets]

I personally love the Candlelight Processional, and I have no religious affinity whatsoever. While it's true that the show follows the biblical Christmas story, the choir itself is so enjoyable that it overshadows the "sermon" parts. The songs for the most part are along the lines of "O Come All Ye Faithful" rather than "Frosty" - all beautifully done and impeccably directed. It's definitely worth checking out regardless of your beliefs - it's just a gorgeous show.

 

[dolphindan1]

I would go over to youtube and watch it...that way you get a true feel of what to expect.

I am a confirmed catholic, but now attend an Episcopal church, as are my kids and not once sitting and watching the CP did I feel I was sitting in church...As a matter of fact more people would probably go to church if it was more like the CP...

Its a beautiful Christmas show in tune with the season don the way only Disney can do it...

 

[nytimez]

I'm not especially religious, but I enjoyed the show. However, it is VERY deeply Jesus-y -- which it should be, it's Christmas after all. I think someone like me who is not particularly religious, but is not anti-religion or aggressively atheistic, can enjoy it.

However, if the idea of religion is offensive or bothersome, or you're someone who is atheistic to the point where you have an active dislike of religion, then the show probably isn't for you.

Also, the music is not holiday favorites. Many of the songs may not even be recognizable.

And finally, as nice as the show is, the candlelight processional package is a ripoff.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Song list is toward the bottom on this linked page.......

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions/Candlelight-Processional.htm

 

[RMulieri]

Having done the CP often, I will tell you it is religious.They read the Christmas story from the gospels and the songs are of the religious/Christmas variety NOT the Jingle Bells/Santa Claus is Coming to town variety.Every year we see some posters who were upset or offended by it.

 

[nytimez]

Having done the CP often, I will tell you it is religious.They read the Christmas story from the gospels and the songs are of the religious/Christmas variety NOT the Jingle Bells/Santa Claus is Coming to town variety.Every year we see some posters who were upset or offended by it.

That's a little like going on a boat ride and being upset or offended that you saw water.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

Wayne Brady was reading the time we did it, so I wouldn't consider that a sermon. Count Dracula is reading this year. It is a Christmas celebration though and a lovely show.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/candlelight-processional/

 

[bumbershoot]

That's a little like going on a boat ride and being upset or offended that you saw water.

Well, if only ONE website says it's religious, and a simple basic EASY question is replied to by someone saying it's going to spin out of control (for wanting important info that should be in *every* descriptive website about it), then *obviously* the info is NOT out there or readily available. So it would be like booking a safari in the savannah, and ending up on a cruise.

I, personally, am so glad I found out about its content 3 years ago, because I would have a serious problem with it, and would need to leave. Of course, at DLR (a place we went two years in a row in early December right when the CP is playing) all but the actual seats are free to watch it, so I would only have lost time out of my day, but that would annoy me enough! Just like seeing someone from DH's religion would bother my stepdad, and he would leave. It's GOOD to have information!

The info on content should be in every description, and no one should be saying it's going to spin out of control simply because you asked a question that's actually quite important!

Count Dracula is reading this year.

I love that you know Frank Langella was Dracula...many would have thought of the more recent movie...

 

[Mamu]

I'm will word this as carefully as I can and I sincerely hope no one finds the question upsetting. I read descriptions of the Candlelight Processional on several different websites because I was trying to decide if my family should try it or skip it. Only one website came right out and stated that the show was from a Christian biblical perspective and had a very religious tone. Would you agree with this assessment? We enjoy Christmas music but if the show resembles sitting through a church service, it is definitely not for us.

Thank you,
Peg

I would not say it's like a church service, but would say it religious. It's a Christian Play narrated by famous people, reciting the Story of the Birth of Jesus, with a choir singing Christian Songs. Away in a Manger, Silent Night, Oh Come all ye Faithful, Oh Holy Night etc.

 

[RMulieri]

Wayne Brady was reading the time we did it, so I wouldn't consider that a sermon. Count Dracula is reading this year. It is a Christmas celebration though and a lovely show.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/candlelight-processional/

That was the first movie I ever saw Frank Langella in..

 

[RMulieri]

That's a little like going on a boat ride and being upset or offended that you saw water.

I agree with you, but believe it or not it happens

 

[Kathy Z]

As many others have said, the Candlelight Processional is the telling of the Christmas story as seen from a biblical perspective. The Narration from the bible is from Luke, chapter 2, the account of Jesus' birth. The music is beautiful and the highlight is the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. Do many non-Christians enjoy this show, yes. Would you be offended if the narrator for the show you attended added a bit of their personal feelings of what Christmas means to them? If the answer to that question is "yes" then perhaps you should not attend the show. This is the only holiday show we found at WDW that to us told the real meaning of Christmas. (We are Christians as you might gather from what I have said.) We purposely chose to attend a performance with a known Christian narrator and this was the highlight of our week.

We did enjoy all of the secular holiday decorations and activities so much last year that we are returning again this year in December to soak it all up again.