Tim Christianson was doing some work at Todd Utpadel’s house when the two began to talk about music.

&uot;We were both in Gospel groups in high school,&uot; Utpadel said. &uot;Then we got talking about George Marin and how his group had gone separate ways, and how maybe we should all get together and do something.&uot;

Instead of putting the idea on the shelf, the trio did decide to do something. The result is &uot;The Season of Love,&uot; a Christmas concert, which will be presented at 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Grace Christian Church, 501 W. College St. in Albert Lea.

&uot;It’s just a bunch of guys having fun,&uot; Utpadel said.

Added Christianson, &uot;We wanted to give back to the community we’ve made home.&uot;

Marin said the &uot;Season of Love&uot; theme came about because the community has suffered some heavy hits this year. &uot;People are still hurting from the Farmland fire, and it was a tough election year. We hope this will help end this year in a positive climate. Music has a way of helping heal wounds.&uot;

Marin calls the program a &uot;tossed salad of Christmas music and those songs that are important to us.&uot; Utpadel will sing &uot;A New Kid in Town,&uot; a Christmas song he has recorded. Christianson has a unique version of &uot;Silent Night.&uot; And there will be other songs like &uot;Come On Ring Those Bells&uot; and &uot;Silver Bells.&uot; All three men have very different styles.

&uot;We love our music,&uot; Utpadel said. &uot;We believe it’s a gift. Gifts can be put on a shelf, or they can be shared with the community. We’re thinking of this as a big Christmas gift without a bow on it.&uot;

&uot;If one person walks out and says, ‘My Christmas is better,’ it will be worth it,&uot; Christianson said.

It’s been a challenge for the three to work rehearsals into their schedules, and this is actually the third date they’ve had for the concert, but they’re all looking forward to it, they said.

&uot;We’ve made it a priority,&uot; Utpadel said. &uot;There’s no better time than now.&uot;

&uot;It’s a neat project,&uot; Marin said. &uot;We hope to make it an annual thing.&uot;

Admission to the concert is $5 or non-perishable food items for the food pantry. Proceeds will benefit The Salvation Army. The Daybreakers Kiwanis Club is assisting during the concerts.

&uot;It would be fun to see boxes of food fill the church,&uot; Marin said. &uot;But no one will be turned away if they can’t give anything. This is about giving, and the community receiving.&uot;