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The hugely popular ������ú Christmas Festival returned for a second year, Friday, Dec. 8, at Murchison Gym and Saturday, Dec. 9, at First Presbyterian Church, 21 East Constance Ave. Both performances, which combine music, visual arts, theater and dance, began at 8 p.m.

This year’s festival, “My Soul Magnifies the Lord,” was free and open to the public, though reservations were required. Tickets to Saturday’s performance at First Presbyterian were fully reserved with a large attendance. Children were encouraged to attend the family-friendly event on Friday night.

The performance featured the ������ú orchestra, several different ensembles, five choirs, oral interpretation by theatre majors and the ������ú Windancers. The Choir of Marymount of Santa Barbara was be a special guest Dec. 8, and Nelson Huber, music director at First Presbyterian, performed as the guest organist Dec. 9.

“You saw the Christmas story told in a different light from a different perspective both rhetorically from the text and musically,” said Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of worship and music. “There was a hearty dose of familiar, welcoming Christmas carols and stories, and then some things that enlightened, challenged and excited in ways that you didn’t expect.”