Christ Lutheran Church in Allentown is hosting the 42nd “Twelfth Nigh Festival.”

Andrew Lutz-Long, Christ Lutheran Church associate music director and “Twelfth Night Festival” conductor, said, “More than ever, we marvel and give thanks for those who support this program year after year.”

The “Twelfth Night Festival” is 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 10 and Jan. 11 at Christ Lutheran Church.

There will be four rather than five performances. Explains Lutz-Long, “The realities of the annual festival is that it is more and more expensive to produce.”

“Twelfth Night” refers to the 12th night of Christmas, also known as the eve of Epiphany, the day that commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus as recounted in the Bible’s New Testament. The “Twelfth Night Festival” is based on medieval pageants and feasts.

The “Twelfth Night Festival” includes two new selections.

The first is “In Bethlehem,” by composers Dan Forrest and Erik Dewar, which contains a blend of contemporary choral writing incorporating “angelic Alleluias.”

Says Lutz-Long, “The piece sets the scene for the Festival, which is the journey to the Nativity and calls to mind the realities of why God sends Christ into our midst.”

The second addition is “Forever Amen” by Phil Wickham and Molly Ijames.

The piece is a tender setting of “Away in a Manger,” “gently enriched by soaring choral parts and woodwind accompaniment,” says Lutz-Long. The carol is attributed to, but not written by Martin Luther.

In addition to professional chamber musicians, William Allen High School Dancers and the City of Bethlehem Bagpipe and Drum Band are hundreds of community and congregation volunteers as cast members and in other capacities.

“Beyond their time and dedication, members of the orchestra along with cast members generously donate to support Festival expenses,” says Lutz-Long.

“This, combined with the offerings and gifts from our wider community and regional business sponsors, are what commingle to make ‘Twelfth Night’ a reality. We are grateful and humbled to carry on this tradition.”

Festival organizers hope to deepen the community connection and welcome individuals interested in participating in future productions.

“From its initiation, the Festival was designed to bring people together,” says Lutz-Long, adding, “The cast and musicians come together for a week of fellowship and memorable music-making and the audiences conclude the season of Christmas with a visual and aural reminder of the Christmas message.”

“Twelfth Night Festival,” 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St., Allentown. Reservations: info@christ-atown.org; 610-433-4271; https://www.christ-atown.org/twelfth-night-festival.

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor pwillistein@tnonline.com