Mark Allison, chaplain at University Hospital, said the summertime Christmas concert was greatly appreciated by local soldiers. He gave away 100 tickets to the event and heard nothing but positive feedback, he said.

Remembering his own Christmas away from home while serving in Afghanistan two years ago, Allison said he spent Christmas Eve explaining Christ's birth to the people of a Muslim village, who were receptive of the message. "It's ironic that I couldn't do that in Liberty Park today," as U.S. troops defend Americans' right to be offended by religious language, he said.

The broadcast should be especially meaningful for Utah troops. "It's an excellent display of care, interest and awareness on the choir's part for them far from home. The soldiers who see that will know they are remembered and not forgotten.... I hope they keep doing things like that."

Tabernacle Choir director Craig Jessop's military background as former director of the Air Force Band in Europe played into the decision to record the summer concert. The choir was invited to record a Christmas show with the band in Nashville, and also received a separate invitation from Hill Air Force Base to perform there.

Jessop responded by inviting both groups to the Conference Center.

Allison, an Army chaplain, said he was willing to "bear with the fact" that Jessop invited Air Force musicians to perform with the choir. "We got over it," he said with a grin.

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com