It has been called the “Miracle on Westmont.”
And a gift to the community.
It’s the Singing Christmas Tree (circa 1979), and it is back for a four-day, six-performance run beginning Thursday at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church on Westmont Drive in Haymount.
“I picked the title back in the summer when we were with our youth choir in Washington, D.C.,” Richard Suggs, minister of music and in his 12th year directing the holiday service, says about this year’s theme of “All Things New.” “I was vacillating between ‘All Things New’ and ‘Alpha and Omega.’”
Suggs says “All Things New” was one of the anthems the youth choir sang in July as part of a YouthCue gathering at the Washington National Cathedral.
“It just had a real special ring,” he said.
The theme is taken from Revelations 21:5-6, says Sara Barefoot, the church’s worship ministry assistant, who can tell you anything and everything you ever want to know about the Singing Christmas Tree.
“It speaks to how Jesus makes everything new in our lives,” Barefoot said. “Light after darkness, gain after loss, and God being the beginning and the end. He washes away our tears and makes us new.”
Barefoot calls the Singing Christmas Tree a “labor of love” for the church each Yuletide season, and it is quite the production with 95 adults, 65 youth, 44 children, 15 children in the instrumental choir, 15 handbell choir members, and a cast of orchestra musicians.
“About 225 singers and 81 musicians,” Barefoot said. “It’s full sections of strings, brass, percussions, and all your typical instruments.”
Founded by Bob Haynes and Wayne Ham, the Singing Christmas Tree now is enjoyed by three generations of church members and families throughout the community.
A family night pre-worship service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to Barefoot, followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance Thursday and Friday, and 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. performances Saturday and Sunday.
“We have no more matinee tickets,” Barefoot said.
There is no cost to attend, although Barefoot says offerings are taken at the door, with all proceeds distributed to local food banks throughout the community.
“Last year, we collected $17,000,” Barefoot said.
Those wishing to attend may secure tickets at the church today and Thursday from 8:30-p.m.-5 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and noon-12:30 p.m. Sunday. Or you may call the church office at 910-484-3191.
Jesus Is a Gift
If you’ve never been to the Singing Christmas Street, you may wish to give a listen to Walter Greene, who can tell you all about what it’s like to look out into the sanctuary. He has been a part of the nearly 40-foot, eight-tier tree since 2008.
“I’m usually on the tree,” he said. “But one year, I was on the riser by the organ, and I looked at the packed crowd, all of us singing ‘Silent Night.’ It was an awesome experience of congregational harmony.”
Greene, 79, will look forward to singing “Silent Night” again this year, as well as singing “All Things New.”
“It’s very good words when there is trouble and good, but the basic thing is that Jesus is making all things new since his birth,” Greene said. “His coming was all things new, as well as his ministry.”
Sue Byrd never has missed being a part of the Singing Christmas Tree.
“We are not singing just words,” Byrd, 79, said. “It’s about life itself. You hope people don’t see it as a performance, but a gift of love. It’s our gift of telling people about the Savior. We sing the story. Christmas is a gift, and Jesus is a gift. It’s an honor. We’re one voice. Everyone feels the impact of what we are singing. There’s so much joy on that tree for everyone. We’re one voice, and we are all on the same message.”
Epilogue
Some refer to the Singing Christmas Tree as a performance.
Sue Byrd and Walter Greene beg to differ.
“When I got into it, I did not want to call it a performance,” Greene said. “It’s a worship presentation. Richard Suggs and our preceding ministers [Larry Dickens and Bob Haynes] of music emphasize that we’re doing it for the glory of God.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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