Replacing the old wooden assembly, the 14th annual Singing Christmas Tree at First Baptist Church of Blacksburg is now a fully metal, 7-story frame, equipped with thousands of choreographed computerized lights.

Ledger Staff Writer

First Baptist Church of Blacksburg is really getting into the Christmas spirit, with a 7-story Christmas tree that has taken over the sanctuary — and sings.

“This is our 14th year of having the Singing Christmas Tree,” said the church’s pastor, Rev. Rick Douglas. “And we’ve really upgraded the performance this year. In the past, we’ve just used our house speakers and sound system, but for the 2004 tree we’ve gotten a much more elaborate system. They have really gone the extra mile for quality sound.”

Singers from eight area churches will join the FBC choir for the show. As has been the case since its inception, the choir will be under the direction of Linda Meetze and will be joined by an interpretive movement team, drama team and children’s group.

“They have been practicing for this since August,” Douglas said. “And they’ve added new songs and solos to the show. It is going to be awesome!”

A large, 8-foot by 8-foot sign outside the front of the church reminds the community of the event, but Douglas was quick to point out that the dates are wrong on the sign. “It should say that the show will be Dec. 17, 19 and 20. It is a huge sign and we hope to fix it soon, but it takes a lot to make changes to it. With that wood trim on there, it is too heavy for one person to move by themselves.”

The Singing Christmas Tree will be a new experience for Douglas, who recently came to the church.

“I have seen a Singing Christmas Tree before,” Douglas said. “But this is the first church I have ever pastored that has one of its own. Really, this is quite an accomplishment for a church of our size, and we are so grateful for all the help of the other churches from around the area.”

The tree will be the main attraction for the production, but small platforms have been added to extend the staging area in the FBC sanctuary and will hold small dramas during the show. “It will mainly be focused on a historical drama of the nativity,” Douglas said. “But we will have a few modern scenes as we try to weave the story together to explain Christmas then, the first Christmas, and Christmas now, in the 21st century. We will have another scene with Jesus as a young boy when He was visited by the wise men and a scene with King Herod.”

And while some have balked at the idea of a secular symbol, like a Christmas Tree to take center stage at the church, Douglas says he sees no conflict of interest.

“I don’t have that much of a problem with having a traditional symbol like the tree in the service, as long as the focus remains properly on Christ,” Douglas said. “Actually, the Christmas tree tradition we have today is based in Christianity. In the seventh century, a monk in Crediton Devonshire, England, went to Germany to teach God’s word there. He used the triangular shaped fir tree as a way to teach about the Holy Trinity.”

The Singing Christmas Tree this year will be a large metal frame with thousands of lights.

“We purchased this new frame for last year’s tree, but it now has a computerized lighting system such that the tree will only have the blue lights on or the red lights on depending on the song and the choreography,” Douglas said.

Buffalo Baptist, Cherokee Avenue Baptist, Gaffney First Baptist, Midway Baptist, Mt. Whitaker Baptist, Nazareth Baptist, New Song Community and Silica Springs Baptist churches will all contribute performers to the more than 100-member cast. The Singing Christmas Tree will be performed at First Baptist Church of Blacksburg Dec. 17 at 7 p.m., Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.