CAMP VICTORY, Iraq — In the midst of a combat zone, the Prince of Peace was honored with a Christmas Eve candlelight service.

The service held in Al Faw Palace filled the nearly four story rotunda as sounds of carols echoed off the marble hall.

It was time for Christians to remember their roots, Chaplain (Col.) Mike Tarvin said.

Those roots go back to the Middle East, a place many Americans and others from a host of nations now find themselves, the senior chaplain for Multi-National Corps-Iraq said.

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“I love Christmas, even here in Iraq,” the Christian Church of Disciples of Christ pastor said.

Christmas has many meanings, and even he enjoys shopping, but the holiday has to be more than just gift giving, Tarvin said.

What is important is for Christians not to get the true meaning of Christmas mixed up with pleasure, he said.

Christ came into the world to help mankind overcome fear.

“That’s the message,” the colonel commented, adding in today’s world fear is still prevalent and used by many people.

“Politicians get elected on a policy of fear, and they turn up the volume when people question them,” Tarvin said.

Even the church has become paralyzed by fear “from time to time,” he added.

The message of Christ is “fear not,” the chaplain remarked.

And, having no fear is easy when people have accepted Christ as their savior, Tarvin said.

When days appear to be the darkest, which happens in Iraq, it’s “His love not fear” that will overcome, he said.

“What we’re about is love and justice,” the chaplain added.

The setting for the service could not have been stranger for the event was held in one of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s show palaces — constructed as a memorial to the Iran-Iraq War of the late 1980s. The structure was named for a piece of Iraqi land, Al Faw peninsula, which was lost to the Iranians but later recaptured.

Monday evening’s service was a time of reflection, with music as the avenue as carols alternated with readings from the Bible.

From Isaiah came a verse some of which words were put to music by Handel in his oratorio “Messiah.”

Words from passages of Luke that were read also found there way into the Handel masterpiece.

The congregation off nearly 600, with some listening from the second and third floor balcony areas, were accompanied by members of the 3rd Infantry Division Band, except for one piece.

Listening from the second floor was Sgt. 1st Class Rodrigo Fernandez, who formerly was stationed with the Military Police unit on Fort Huachuca.

To him it was the music wafting up from the first floor that was enjoyable.

And, what was the best was the Royal Tonga Marine Choir, who sang a number of songs, all a cappella (which means unaccompanied by musical instruments), under the direction of Cpl. Steve Mikaele.

“Tonga is 99.9 percent Christian,” he said of the Pacific island kingdom.

Singing is a Polynesian tradition, he said.

“We sing in church, everywhere,” Mikaele said.

Some consider the Tonga singers to be the “Welsh of the Pacific.” People from Wales are also noted for their vocal capabilities.

The choir had three top tenors and a strong bass section and ended their part of the service, after singing a half-dozen songs in their native language, by performing “The Little Drummer Boy,” in English. Tonga was once part of the British Empire and is a member of the Commonwealth.

The Tonga Royal Marine Choir brought the audience to its feet in a long standing ovation when they were done.

These marines provide security and other services at Camp Victory.

The finale came when Tarvin asked everyone to light their candles and join in singing — a cappella — “Silent Night.”

Voices raised, as candles were held high, the carol was sung, as the lights in the hall were dimmed. A Christmas tree and two wreaths, along with an advent wreath and the flicker of candles were just about the only light in the rotunda.

Tarvin urged all to remember the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice: “We did not rise up to God, God came down to us.”

Herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.