Whether the songs were from Mexico or the carols sung in Portuguese, the feeling in the Tabernacle among hundreds of Latinos who gathered Thursday night for the Spanish Christmas program was one of unity.

"I think it is very special, because the Latin community is so big, for them it's very important to have something that they can relate to," said Gloria Cabral, who was born in Argentina and raised in Brazil. "They can remember the culture, the values that are dear to them at this Christmas season. It brought tears to my eyes."

Over the next three days, more than 10,000 people are expected to attend "El Regalo de Navidad," the LDS Christmas program presented almost entirely in Spanish in the newly renovated Tabernacle on Temple Square.

All three evening performances, as well as a Saturday matinee are full. Although tickets were free, individuals had to request them beginning in late October.

The Christmas story was told by a narrator with a combined men and women's choir, a children's choir and musical groups playing traditional Christmas carols from Spain and Latin America.

"It's very important, to have the opportunity to hear the message of God in Spanish," said Hank Gifford, who came with his wife, Megan, and 8-month-old baby, Parker.

Megan Gifford only speaks a little Spanish, she said, but she still could catch most of what Elder Claudio R.M. Costa said in his Christmas message, the message that although there are different traditions in Latino countries, unity that comes from gathering with family on Christmas Eve.

"There's a huge Latino community here in Salt Lake ," Megan Gifford said. "And I think it's important they have events that are in their culture and in their language, to celebrate the fact that they're all here from Latin American and diverse but unified at the same time."

"And also," tossed in her mother-in-law Zuly Gifford, "There are so many Latins in Utah who all have the same faith."

But even for those who aren't members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as the Gifford's friends, 10-year-old Christian Angeles and Marta Sanchez, the program was still beautiful, and even too short, they said.

Stephanie Hamblin and Erin Carlson both came to the event having learned Spanish on their missions to South America.

"I love to see how they all come together," said Hamblin who served in Venezuela. "There's a different spirit and love with the Latin nations. I love it."

"It's just fun to be immersed in the Latin community and hear Spanish," said Carlson, who served in Chile. "They have a way of expressing their love differently."

For choir member Maria Melena, who has been practicing for six months, singing was a way of sharing her love of Jesus Christ with her own people.

"For me, I feel very emotional," Melena said in Spanish. "For me, it is something personal, in my language for all my people, for all the world. I hope ... they can feel the spirituality of the birth of our Savior. For me that is the biggest gift I can receive."

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