December 20, 2018 – Notre Dame University-Louaize North Lebanon Campus (NDU-NLC) organized a special Christmas Concert at the NLC Auditorium composed by Joseph Khalife and conducted by Joumana Mdawar, in the presence of Director of NDU North Campus Fr. Francois Akl; Bishop Edward Daher, Deputy Ali Darwish, Mr.Antonio Franjieh Representative of HE Mr. Tony Franjieh, Mrs. Nayla Mouawad represented by Dr. Josette Moawad and MP Mr. Michel Mouawad, Vice-President for Administration Fr. Samir Ghsoub, former deputy Dr. Fadi Karam, General Joseph Yaaccoub, Colonel Najib El Nabout, media representatives; and a number of priests, University and bank directors, school principals, faculty, staff, and students.
Following the national and university anthems, Dr. Mirella Al-Khoury spoke on the importance of the occasion and the holiness of the event. NDU-NLC director Fr. Akl welcomed the attendees, emphasizing the splendor of Christmas and its beauty, " the colors in every street, are bright and radiant, and we see in our country that love is rare, hope is absent and joy is sorrowful, destiny is anxious while poverty is intensified."
Father Francois Akl called for "turning off the candles of despair and lighting the saddle of faith, ringing the bells of love, tightening the bond of peace, extending bridges of dialogue and renewing faith in the God of love and staying connected to our homeland..." He added: “The birth of Christ reminds us that God is fundamental, He is with us, and we are in His hands. The window of hope should never be closed in our hearts."
The evening was also marked by Christmas reflections with Dr. Jean Thomas.
A cocktail party was held after the service to celebrate the occasion.