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Fuller Professor Rings in the Holidays with ‘O Christmas Tree’

Published on Wednesday, December 25, 2013 | 1:52 pm
 

While this may be news to some, Dr. Jeff Bjorck, professor of psychology at Fuller since 1990, has been sharing his gift of music with the community for many years releasing Christmas albums, playing for pediatric patients, creating musical arrangements on YouTube. This year is no exception.

In celebration of the Christmas holiday, Bjorck has used his musical skills to bring us this beautiful rendition of “O Tannenbaum” (O Christmas Tree) that he arranged and performed.

Though he admits that he is the kind of person who shrinks “from the commercialism of the holiday season” and would rather move the celebration of Christ’s birth to a different, less materialistic day of the year, Bjorck explains that the song “O Tannenbaum” has both sentimental and important meaning to him.

“Like many of my generation, I have watched the “Charlie Brown Christmas Special” on TV virtually every year since its initial 1965 airing,” Bjorck says. “Apart from the sheer sentimentality that transports me back to a simpler time, I love this little cartoon classic for one reason in particular. I always anticipate Linus’ recitation of Luke 2:8-14, which he concludes with the simple statement, ‘That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.’ I unashamedly confess that my eyes typically tear as Linus speaks. ‘O Tannenbaum’ was included in the soundtrack for this first “Peanuts” production, so it always reminds me of the TV special, which reminds me, in turn, of Linus and Luke.”

Bjorck continues: “Each year, I am encouraged by this explicit declaration of Jesus’ birth amidst what has become the October-to-January Christmas cacophony. It is indeed good to remember the angel’s words, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.’ Linus reminds me that, sometimes, words are conveyed most powerfully through a still, small voice. Similarly, my hope is that my simple little video will warm your heart, and encourage you to always make room for Him there.”

More about Dr. Bjorck’s music can be found on his website, www.purepiano.com.

For more information, visit www.fuller.edu.

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