The 16th annual Westmont Christmas Festival — Ris’n with Healing in His Wings — will present a special online event this year due to the pandemic.

The Westmont Music Department, led by Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship, has creatively recorded the 100 members of the Westmont Orchestra and College Choir, Chamber Singers and Choral Union throughout campus.

The virtual concert, which retells the Christmas story by weaving narration with music, will be posted online at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at westmont.edu/festival and will available throughout December.

This year’s theme, Ris’n with Healing in his Wings, offers a response to the current pandemic.

“Music and readings remind us of God’s presence and grace in all things, even if we don’t understand the trials,” Shasberger said. This year’s festival features lively and festive music including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

For many in Santa Barbara, celebrating the Christmas season begins with the annual event, which has been held at First Presbyterian Church since 2008.

New this year, Westmont offers Advent Concerts with Steve Bell on Friday, Dec. 11 and 18, and Thursday, Dec. 24, at westmont.edu/celebrateadvent. Drawing on poetry, music, history and tradition, Bell, a Canadian Christian songwriter and storyteller, takes listners on a prayerful journey for Advent.

Bell has produced 20 solo CDs and won music-industry awards including Gospel Music Association of Canada Covenant Awards: 2018 Album of the Year (“Where the Good Way Lies”); 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award; and 2018 Inspirational Song of the Year (“Wait Alone in Stillness”).