Christmas Memories at Council Road
by Sarah Sutton
The first candlelight service at Council Road was in 1970, when I was six years old. Fred Wilhoite, our first pastor, was a kind, older gentleman, and I remember children like me were naturally drawn to him. The tradition of children climbing onto the stage for the Christmas story didn’t start until years later. About 12 years ago, Norman had a wonderful idea to begin writing and publishing our own children’s books for that service, and each child got to take one home.
The service immediately became CRBC’s favorite tradition, and it continues to this day as the candles represent unity, and the fact that each of us makes a difference. Over the years, we have seen everything from Pianist Mark Reighard impersonating Julia Childs to formal choir and orchestra performances (complete with peacock-colored sequin tops) at the services. I remember the year that Patsy George’s son, Jeff, sang “Some Children See Him.” And when Karlie Clifford sang “Happy Birthday Jesus.” One year, all of the music we performed was written by Steven Curtis Chapman. And who will ever forget the tradition of Denise Behymer singing “O Holy Night” for 30 years. A congregational favorite is always the children’s video of them telling the Christmas story. The joy is always palpable as each person lights a candle, and families celebrate Christ’s birth at this traditional service.
Another great memory is participating in all the grand Christmas pageants that Norman led every year in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Rehearsals began in September and continued up through the night before performances began. It always took place on the first weekend in December, which coincided with the Big 12 football championship game. One year in the orchestra pit, I had headphones on listening to the game during the performance. OU scored an amazing touchdown, and I accidentally screamed “YES!” at a very inopportune time. It wasn’t the first, and I’m sure not the last time I’ll embarrass myself onstage. Good times. One year the tech team decided that fog would be a good thing. Well, someone had a heavy hand on the machine, and it got so thick in the orchestra pit that we could hardly see our music. An occasional tip of a violin bow piercing the top layer of fog was all that was seen that year!
You may also remember the two gigantic living Christmas trees (see picture) that reached to the rafters in the Worship Center. These were all the rage in the 1990s, and all of Norman’s music minister friends were sporting the trees in their pageants. If you know Norman, you know he will always figure out a way to win. So, what did he dream up? Two living Christmas trees! They were so big that his brother, who built houses, had to construct the framework and then install air conditioners so the choir wasn’t cooked to a crisp while standing in them. The AC units blew freezing cold air straight out toward the orchestra. Sheryl Bell and I had to wear gloves with the tips cut off in order to keep our hands warm enough to play but still push the keys on our flutes. And forget staying in tune. Norman’s goal was always to tell the Christmas story through all kinds of dramas, and most of those years, we did it with original scripts and music that church members wrote. Remember John Bernard’s original song titled “Cabbage and Christmas”?
Even though we always packed the Worship Center for four performances, times evolved and so did we. Outdoor events, concerts and food trucks replaced the dramas and pageants, and we drew in even more people from our community. Sleigh rides, petting zoos, photo booths, marshmallow roasts and a variety of other kid-centered delights now draw in crowds of people before and after the kickoff of Advent in the Worship Center. And God always blesses our efforts. He has always had His hand on Council Road.
It is fun to look back on the memories of past decades at CRBC. But I always find just as much joy in the new ideas and events such as this year’s “Christmas at the Cube” on December 11. If you are new to CRBC and are looking for a great way to meet people, sign up here to help. I also encourage you to invite someone who needs to hear about Jesus. We have signs and cards available in the foyer to make that easy. In fact, this year I’m making my famous pralines for my neighbors and inserting an invitation card into each sack. I’ll see you at the Cube on December 11 at the photo booth, where my husband, Dave, will be glad to take your family’s picture!
Author Bio
Sarah gave her life to Christ as an 11-year-old in a tiny town in northern Montana. As a junior at OBU, she surrendered her life to Christian service and has served at CRBC since 1984. She loves playing flute in the orchestra, catering to her Savannah cats and is obsessed with growing peonies. She and Dave love to capture sunsets on whatever remote location the latest airfare sale leads them and have learned the more lost they are, the better the adventure!