For some in Columbia, Christmas isn’t Christmas without these 2 traditions

Christmas traditions are a big part of the holiday for many of us in the Midlands.

For some, it may mean forcing an embarrassed boyfriend to sit on Santa’s lap. For others, it may mean convincing a bartender to concoct a holiday drink, or going shopping on Christmas Eve.

But for many Columbians, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without attending one of two mega-events at two area churches, and they’re both happening Dec. 8-10.

For the 27th year, Shandon Baptist Church will have the Singing Christmas Tree, and for the 30th year, the First Baptist Church in Columbia will present the Columbia Christmas Pageant.

Here are five things to know about each of the Christmas traditions going on this weekend in Columbia:

The Singing Christmas Tree

Shandon hosted its first Singing Christmas Tree in 1983 but took a seven-year hiatus after 2002, resuming in 2010.

“For many families throughout South Carolina, it’s part of their Christmas tradition,” said Scott Lee, worship pastor at Shandon. “We keep doing it because we feel the gospel message of Jesus’ birth is the most important message of Christmas.”

In GoColumbia’s 2015 holiday bracket, readers voted it their favorite holiday event in the area.

“The crowds continue to come,” Lee said. “It’s our ministry to the community.”

Five things to know:

1. The production features a 30-foot tree.

2. The tree holds more than 100 choir members.

3. The show includes a 30-piece orchestra.

4. Dance ensembles accentuate the dramatic presentation of the Christmas story.

5. Interpretation for viewers with hearing impairments will be offered at the 5:30 p.m. show on Saturday, Dec. 9.

The Columbia Christmas Pageant

First Baptist Church in downtown Columbia has been putting on its Christmas pageant for 30 years, and it’s a show that keeps getting more and more spectacular, said Sylvia Rish, spokesperson for First Baptist.

“It’s become a family tradition in South Carolina,” Rish said. “There is nothing else like it. It’s our gift to the community.”

The pageant includes secular traditions as well as religious, and has dancing, singing, an orchestra, lights and special effects.

“The magnitude of the production is so overwhelming,” Rish says.

Five things to know:

1. The state-of-the-art lighting includes thousands of Christmas lights.

2. The show starts with secular Christmas favorites; then, the stage is transformed into the hills of Bethlehem for the story of the birth of Jesus.

3. The Benedict College marching band will perform in a parade scene.

4. The cast of hundreds includes an orchestra, dancers and a choir.

5. The show is about 90 minutes long.

This story was originally published December 6, 2017 at 3:58 PM with the headline "For some in Columbia, Christmas isn’t Christmas without these 2 traditions."