City of Orange Christmas Tree Lighting

Last night the family and I attended the City of Orange Christmas Tree Lighting.

It was amazing!

350 person choir, 60 piece orchestra and the public reading of the Gospel of Luke

from the Bible.

There was this incredible moment where the narrator read from the Bible

and then was followed by the choir singing Handel's "Hallelujah".

I had goosebumps.

It is so cool to think in our era of secularization (thanks to the ACLU),

an Orange County city in 2008 is able to pull off such a God honoring event.

Thank you city of Orange, it was a great night.

Here Are Some Other Christmas Tree Lighting's In Our Area I Would Recommend:

Fashion Island Tree Lighting (weekend after Thanksgiving):

This outdoor Newport Beach Shopping Center claims it has the largest Christmas Tree in the United States, and I wouldn't argue with them after being up close with their tree. The program is a little lame, with cheesy songs and a mini-dramatic musical, although several of our high school students from church have been involved in it in the past which has always saved it.

The tree lighting is obviously over for this year, but it is still worth it to go make a pilgrimage to see the giant tree.

Mariners Church Christmas Tree Lighting (December 6th)

I have never been to this Newport Beach Churches Lighting Ceremony but I have heard from friends that this is an awesome event. Free food, free family photo opportunity, very Christ honoring singing. Their ceremony was last night (Dec. 6th), so we missed it to attend the Orange Tree Lighting, but we hope to attend this one next year if the ceremonies do not offset.

Biola University Christmas Tree Lighting (December 5th)

This is actually in LA County, but not far from the OC. Offers Free cocoa and cider and traditional carols sung by the Biola Choral, this is a very moving event,

the tree isn't as big as the others, but the amount of lights is pretty impressive.

Any Orange County Christmas Tree Lighting's I missed that you would recommend?