On Dec. 18, in the historic and beautiful Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul, an interfaith concert of Christmas music took place.  It was conceived as a way for the faith community to bring comfort to those who are suffering at this Christmas time.  Seoul Christians gathered with their neighbours to pray for those who grieve the loss of people through the Sewol Ferry tragedy, for the inhabitants of Milyang, for labourers and migrant workers, for the refugees from North Korea, and for members of the army who have faced trauma this year, as pointed out by the Military Human Rights Committee.   The Catholic Archbishop  Kim Hee Jung and NCCK General Secretary Kim Young Ju, brought greetings to the gathering, and neighbourly well wishes were brought by leaders of the Buddhist, Cheondokyo, and Muslim communities in Seoul, Beop Hyeon, Jeonsuk Jeong and Huseyin Yigit.   The MC of the Concert was Kang Jae Hyung, the award-winning broadcaster of MBC, and a number of well-known artists offered their talents.  The first act was the multicultural Shalom Boys and Girls Choir singing the French carol “Angels We Have Heard on High” and the Ukrainian “Carol of the Bells”, followed by beautiful seasonal song renditions by  Soprano Lee Seon Rin, Tenor Yeon Song Wook, Baritone Jang Cheol and Soprano Kim Eun Young.  The audience was treated to an emotional and descriptive dance by Cha Da Sum, and by a Pansori  (traditional Korean) version of the Gospel Christmas story from Matthew.  In addition, a chamber orchestra called Di Anima played the Bach Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor and the entertaining A Charlie Brown Christmas.   A highlight of the evening was the very lively intercultural group called Mong Ddang (All That Is) who sang The Circle of Life, a version of the Korean traditional Airang, and Felix Navidad, which really stimulated enthusiastic audience participation.  The last presentation was a very beautiful rendition of Mary’s song, The Magnificat, by Jeong MaRi.  She sang that powerful song in a Latin plainsong style and also in a traditional Korean Pansori style.   This was a significant celebration for the week leading up to Christmas, reminding us of the needs of our neighbours and the importance of the community of faith in serving the world.   The Myeongdong Cathedral will also hold the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity service taking place on Jan. 22, 2015.