Antioch Baptist Church hosts 3rd Community Christmas Tree Lighting
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Right~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE eyes of children and adults were aglow when the switch was turned and thousands of Christmas lights shone brilliantly marking the third Community Christmas tree Lighting of the Antioch Baptist Church (ABC).
The outdoor event was held in the vicinity of the Antioch Baptist Church over the past weekend and saw some 200 persons from St. Johnson’s Village and surrounding communities in attendance.
The pre-Christmas Tree Lighting activity took the form of dances, solos, duets and other musical presentations by church members and invited guests.
Just before the switch was pulled, attendees were reminded of the birth of Christ and events leading up to it. They were told that the world was in darkness before the coming of Jesus Christ, but from the day of his birth there was light.
At that moment, the switch was pulled and the 3 000-plus lights draped across a nearby building and trees, which decorated the frontal portion of the church, illuminated the area.
The event also featured a blown-up Santa Clause, scenes from the nativity and included the three wise men who visited the Christ child with gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The ABC’s leader, Pastor Lincoln Connor, told SKNVibes that the main aims of the Christmas Tree Lighting are to promote Christmas spirit and to foster a sense of community pride amongst the children of the area.
He also spoke of the inclusion of scenes from the nativity as a means of reminding of the real reason for the season. “We have seen a lot of emphasis on taking Jesus out of Christmas and so we really tried to emphasise the manger which is the real reason for the season.”
Also geared at keeping the community in the Christmas spirit, a Millennium Chine Carillon System was installed at the ABC which chimes on the hour, every hour after which it plays a carol audible to those passing in proximity to the sanctuary.
According to Pastor Connor, the idea of hosting the Christmas tree lighting was birthed five years ago and has been done three times including this year. During 2006 an 2007, the event was not held as other projects were being undertaken at the church. He however stated that it is ABC’s hope that the event would be a regular fixture in the community’s yearly calendar of events.
