Living Christmas Trees Sing Out Around the World

This time of year, the message of Christmas is presented countless times in various ways throughout the world. Growing in popularity are the living singing tree performances held throughout the United States and as far away as Switzerland.  Usually similiar in design these steel structures are designed to hold rows of singing carolers.  Often they are accompanied by orchestras or praise bands.  At the Oak Grove Baptist Church, in Bel Air, Maryland, 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 year of the Living Christmas Tree at Oak Grove that involves, and benefits the community.  The singers are all volunteers who dedicate hundreds of hours throughout the year preparing for this event.

There is no clear evidence where the first Singing Christmas Tree originated but many claim to be the oldest or largest. Belhaven College in Jackson Mississippi is thought to be the oldest with their 1933 outdoor Singing Christmas Tree, according to the Associated Baptist Press.  The Mona Shores High School Singing Christmas Tree, Muskegon, Michigan, claims to be the tallest tree in America at 150 feet, holding up to 200 high school students.

While not the largest or oldest singing tree, the Oak Grove Living Christmas Tree fills the sanctuary with a 37 foot high structure topped with an 11 foot lighted star.  Rev. Ken Tipton started the Oak Grove tree in 1985.  His vision was to have an annual tree 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.

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.  Each of the eleven performances leave audiences gasping at the light show and singing. During the 23 years of the Oak Grove presentation an estimated 200,000 people have attended the event that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

There is no charge for admission to the Oak Grove performances, 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.