Emmy Award-Winning Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant Takes the Stage Again

Christmas-PageantThe Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant, which has been delighting South Floridians for more than 30 years, will take the stage again on November 28 through December 14. This Emmy-winning show is presented by the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, and the church’s members put their heart and soul into the production, exuding the love, hope and joy of Christ.

Originally held in an auditorium, the church later built a Sanctuary specially designed to accommodate the Fort Lauderdale Christmas pageant on the 10th anniversary of its performance.

Joyful carols will open the pageant sung against a turn of the century background, and it includes a concert of uplifting contemporary songs with a musical story of the life of Christ. During the winter wonderland scenes snow will fall on the audience as well as the stage. Young people.— from babies to teenagers — play an important part in the show. More than 70 nationalities of people attend First Baptist, and they come together to bring this amazing spectacle to life.

A Unique Experience
Lacie Randall, promotions director, shared that some of the things which make the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant special are the use of live animals including three camels, two horses and chickens. All of the participants are volunteers, and real live angels, suspended from the ceiling, make appearances during the show.

This year the show also offers a delicious buffet-style meal, which is available after the first performance or before the second performance from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. The menu includes salad, pasta and dessert, in addition to other items.

Susan Gaines, a long-time participant, explained,”What makes the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant unique is that, along with the cast and crew of about 1200 volunteers, we share from our hearts the love we have for the Lord by showing the Passion of Christ from His birth to His glorious Ascension.”

Gaines has been involved with the pageant for 23 years. Her two children participated in the production as part of their youth group at the church. They are now married with their own children, and Susan shares that her two-year old granddaughter has already begun to practice one of the Christmas carols. “I personally make this commitment each year as a way to say thank you to my Heavenly Father for all He has done for me and to demonstrate — through drama and music — His desire to have a relationship with others,” said Gaines. “The Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant allows me to share the talents and gifts the Lord has given me. My family is one of my most cherished gifts, and being involved as we have been gives me great joy!”

The Mission
Russell Garner who joined First Baptist of Fort Lauderdale about ten years ago, has played various roles and sung in the choir. “On the surface the pageant may appear like an entertainment event, and certainly there is an element of entertainment,” said Garner, “but make no mistake; the mission of the pageant is to introduce people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he explained. “Our greatest commitment before, during and after the pageant is to be praying for the folks who attend, that they will receive the gift of salvation. We do this every year to shine the spotlight on the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ- to give hope to those folks who may have no hope by sharing the joy of Christmas.”

The Reach
The Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant has been shown on television around the world to our troops. The show has won the Emmy Award twice and has been nominated five times.
Tickets may be purchased online or by coming to the box office. All seats are reserved. Because of the time and activity involved in the production, children under the age of four are not admitted. The pageant runs from November 28 until December 14.

Experience this wondrous show for a festive treat this holiday season. This show is a life-transforming experience that embodies the true meaning of Christmas- the love, peace and joy brought by the Savior’s birth!

For more information and Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant tickets please visit www.christmastickets.com

Share this article

Comments