Singing in the snow

Members of Christ Church gathered in an hour of song for the church's annual Christmas caroling event Saturday afternoon at Friendship Square in Moscow.

Volunteer Curtis Spencer carried a stack of carol booklets in his arms, passing them out to people in the crowd as they sang "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," one of several Christmas-themed hymns in an hour-long lineup of caroling.

"There's a few scripture readings, passages of the Christmas story from the Bible, and then we'll end with fellowshiping, drinking cocoa and eating cookies," Spencer said.

A member came to the front of the crowd in between songs, reading scripture to the audience from a megaphone near a frosted evergreen in the square.

Above the many voices, friends and New Saint Andrews College classmates James Goode and Caleb Harris could be heard belting harmonies during each hymn.

"We were trying," Harris said with a laugh. "We're like that in church, too," to which Goode added, "If you're going to sing, you might as well sing loud."

For Harris and Goode, the annual caroling event is not just about singing, but about teachings of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe to be the son of God and whose birth is celebrated on Christmas.

"We are here to spread the news to the world that Jesus is king, that he has died on the cross for our sins, and we can't keep that in - we're happy about it," Harris said.

At the front of the crowd, Daniel Foucachon photographed the carolers with his cellphone. A frequent attendee and unofficial photographer of the event, Foucachon said the church sings in the square about four times per year, but its Christmas caroling event is special, as it includes hymns many passersby will recognize.

"Christmas is a time where just about everyone is happy to talk about something that Christians are celebrating every week, all year round," Foucachon said.

The carolers wrapped up with "Joy to the World! The Lord is Come," before ending in prayer and warming up from the surrounding snow with some hot chocolate.

Taylor Nadauld can be reached at (208) 883-4630, by email to tnadauld@dnews.com and on Twitter @tnadauldarg.