Living Christmas Tree Sings Again

This time of year, the message of Christmas is presented countless times in various ways throughout the world. At the Oak Grove Baptist Church, Christmas means the annual Living Christmas Tree, with up to 125 singers of all ages stacked in the shape of a tree. This is the 24th years of the Living Christmas Tree and a few members have sung in all of them. They are all volunteers who dedicate hundreds of hours throughout the year preparing for this event.

This unique outreach started in 1985 by music director Ken Tipton with the purpose of reaching the community with the message of Christmas. "This is not just a job, for us it's a ministry. We do this so we can carry the true message of Christmas, that Jesus Christ came into this world as a baby child to live that through him we to could live," Tipton said in a 1994 interview. That purpose holds true today with the current Minster of music and worship Rev. Steve Poole.

Everything about the tree is huge, beginning with the 37 foot high structure topped with an 11 foot lighted star, to the throngs of people who come to witness the experience. Decorated with angels, musical instruments, snowflakes and more than 40,000 lights the decorating, committee led by Louise Gentry and Lois Stagnoli, continue in the tradition of the first decorators Gerry Hubble and Betty Stewart.

The ten tiered tree structure, designed by Bob Wilson, an electrical engineer, is custom made for the Oak Grove sanctuary. Throughout the country churches and groups erect and sing from similar structures. There is no clear evidence where the Singing Christmas Tree originated but Belhaven College in Jackson Mississippi is thought to be the oldest with their 1933 outdoor Singing Christmas Tree, according to the Associated Baptist Press. At Oak Grove the 10,000 pounds of steel in the structure has held up to 125 singers without incident. During the 23 years of the Oak Grove presentation an estimated 240,000 people have attended the event that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

A live praise band accompanies many of the songs. There is no charge for admission; however, tickets are required in order to make certain seating is available. Each year approximately 10,000 tickets are distributed to the church and community in the fall. Each year ads are placed in local papers when tickets will be available by mail. Tickets are given out on a first come basis.

While it costs up to $15,000 per year to put on the eleven performances the church only collects a free will offering with all proceeds going to the community, according to Rev. Poole. During the past twenty four years an estimated 240,000 people have attended the event that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.