Christmas in Canada holds a special kind of magic. Across this vast and diverse nation, the season is celebrated in countless ways, shaped by the many cultures that call Canada home. From butter tarts and Nanaimo bars to Christmas pudding with hard sauce, every community adds its own flavour to the festivities. But at the heart of it all lies a shared love for music, tradition, and the message of hope that Christmas brings.
Few groups capture that spirit quite like The Chapelaires of Blenheim, Ontario. Since 2008, they’ve been sharing their annual Christmas in the Country concert, a nostalgic celebration of faith, friendship, and the joy of the season.
A Dream Born on a Hot Summer Day
As Sheila Jackson recalls, “The concept of Christmas in the Country started on a hot summer afternoon at a concert at Pinery Baptist Church in Grand Bend.”
That day, the group began to dream of something unique, a full Christmas concert filled with carols, classics, and stories of faith. “We realized that no one in our area was doing a complete Christmas program,” Sheila said. “We were all just adding a few Christmas songs to our regular repertoire.”
The vision took shape at a nearby children’s camp, Forest Cliff Camp, where a rustic lodge and wrap-around veranda set the stage for what would become their first Christmas in the Country concert in November 2008. Volunteers transformed the camp into a winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and homemade Christmas goodies.
Even though a blizzard kept one busload of 49 people and several cars from arriving, 270 hearty souls braved the storm. “They absolutely loved the nostalgic atmosphere and the full Christmas program,” Sheila said. “They encouraged us to keep going, and we did.”
Growing Traditions and Cherished Memories
Over the next few years, Christmas in the Country grew beyond anyone’s expectations. By 2011, more than 1,100 people were attending the concerts over two weekends. Each year brought new touches, from antique sleighs used for family photos to a charming replica “shack” that became the centrepiece of the stage.
Of course, this kind of beauty took work, and heart. “We had over 20 volunteers every year,” Sheila shared. “Every string of lights was perfect. Every bow was tied just right. But after a while, we realized it was taking its toll.”
When Forest Cliff Camp became too busy to host them, God had another plan. A group from Blenheim Community Church invited The Chapelaires to bring Christmas in the Country to their church decorations, refreshments, and all. “It was an answer to prayer,” Sheila said. “And from 2014 on, we continued to add new churches and communities.”
Today, the tour reaches nine locations across Ontario, from Tecumseh to Pickering, Kitchener, and St. Catharines. Through it all, the message has remained the same which is a message of hope.
A Gift Beyond Measure
Of all the moments over 17 years of concerts, one memory stands out above the rest.
“It was the year we had moved to Blenheim,” Sheila remembered. “We were singing the song ‘The Gift’, and there was a commotion in the front pew. A lady was fumbling with her purse, and we later learned she was trying to find money to purchase the gift we were singing about. She wanted that gift more than anything else.”
After the concert, Sheila had the chance to explain that the gift of salvation is free to all who receive. “She gave her heart to Jesus that night and continues to serve Him to this day. Truly a night we will never forget.”
The Season of Hope
From a small camp concert to a nine-date tour across Ontario, Christmas in the Country has become a treasured Canadian tradition. It’s a reminder that no matter how we celebrate, whether with butter tarts or plum pudding, whether in snow-covered towns or bustling cities, the message of Christmas is timeless.
As Sheila and the Chapelaires put it:
“Christmas is the season of hope — when God sent His perfect gift, His only Son, Jesus, to the manger with the cross and empty tomb in mind, to pay the price for our redemption.”
For more on this year’s Christmas in the Country schedule, visit www.chapelaires.com.
And from all of us north of the 49th, may your Christmas be filled with music, memories, and the joy of the One who brings light to the world.
Have a Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year!
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