September 9, 2024
AUGUSTA, Ga. —The greater Augusta area is gearing up for what locals affectionately call Tree Week – the 45th annual Abilene Baptist Church Singing Christmas Tree. You might be wondering why a church continues to invest time, effort, and resources into an event that seems old-fashioned. Dr. Brad Whitt of Abilene Baptist Church sheds light on the tradition, revealing its impact on the local community and the spirit of the holiday season.
Beyond the holiday lights and festive decorations, Abilene’s Singing Christmas Tree is a unique platform for spreading joy and sharing the season’s true meaning. Dr. Whitt emphasizes that the primary goal is to give more people opportunities to hear the gospel. Whether it’s the thousands attending multiple presentations or smaller gatherings, the event becomes a conduit for the timeless message of hope and salvation. The Singing Christmas Tree is a festive vehicle for fostering community and connection during the holiday season.
In today’s digital age, community connection takes on new significance. Abilene Baptist Church strategically uses events like the Singing Christmas Tree to engage with the broader community. By hosting one major outreach event per quarter, the church actively seeks to connect with families and individuals, encouraging them to begin or grow in a relationship with Christ and worship Him at Abilene. From the great spring and fall festivals to Vacation Bible School, these events provide touchpoints for community engagement and bridge-building. As the pinnacle year-end celebration, the Singing Christmas Tree is not just a local tradition but an experience inviting everyone to have a relationship with Jesus, whose birth is the reason for the season.
Beyond the immediate impact on the local congregation, the Singing Christmas Tree is a goodwill gesture to the greater Augusta area. For 45 years, Abilene Baptist Church has been gifting this festive event to the Central Savannah River Area (or CSRA, as the region is commonly known). The Singing Christmas Tree and its fun-filled 12 Days of Christmas interaction with the audience is etched into the memories of thousands. For many, it marks the commencement of the Christmas season. In a time when fewer churches invest substantial time, staffing, volunteers, and resources into such community events, the Singing Christmas Tree stands out as a remarkable and cherished gift. It transcends denominational lines, becoming a shared experience that unites the community in the spirit of the holidays.
As we approach the holiday season, Dr. Whitt encourages other churches to prayerfully consider the impact of events like the Abilene Baptist Church Singing Christmas Tree in their community. While the traditions may differ, the underlying principles of spreading joy, fostering community connection, and sharing the gospel are the same. The legacy of Abilene’s Singing Christmas Tree is that it is more than a holiday presentation; it is an evangelistic experience.
