We went to the Singing Christmas Tree on Sunday night. Mama Clark joined us. Piled into one of the little pews in the back of the church, we watched the tree come to life with lights and music.
It’s a new tradition for us – but it is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
There are few things about Christmas I love more than carols. And that is what the Singing Christmas Tree is all about.
Belhaven University built the first tree-shaped platform to hold its choir back in 1933. From there, the Living Christmas Tree spread throughout the United States.
It’s a popular tradition in the South. There are annual performances all across North Carolina this time of year.
Our church hosts the only one in our community. It celebrated its 45th anniversary this year.
If you zoom in on the photo, you can see Belle up there. She’s been a part of the youth choir for the last two years. Their biggest performance is the tree.
They do six performances over four days and attract 6,000 people every year.
At one point, I looked around the crowd and saw folks from different ethnicities, backgrounds, and walks of life. Dozens of hands raised high.
It made me smile.
In a time so fraught with division, every community could use something as uniting as the Singing Christmas Tree.
I have been to the Singing Christmas Tree, performed in Charlotte at Ovens Auditorium, many years ago.
I hope it was a good show! The one at our church is mind blowing. There’s an orchestra, ballerinas, lights, and the choir belting out Christmas carols. It makes my heart smile. 🙂
How lovely! I have never been to one. Seems like the big Baptist church in town used to do one, but I don’t think they do now. I would love to see and hear Belle and the others : )
I believe there was one in Wilmington when I was in high school, but I’m not sure if they still do it or not. It’s a wonderful tradition! I hope they spread all over the place. After Belle joined the choir, it became one of my favorite holiday experiences.