By Jeaneane Payne

Christmas in Knoxville began with Advent being observed by local churches, a Christmas parade down Gay Street, tree lightings, and choral groups singing throughout our city. Shoppers have been busy at area malls and family gatherings have begun. Christmas open houses, holiday tours, plays, pageants, light tours, and special Christmas movies at the Tennessee Theatre, set the stage to make Knoxville a nostalgic city for Christmas delight.

WIVK Christmas parade in downtown Knoxville (photo by John Disque)

First Baptist Church Concord choirs (photo by Jeaneane Payne)

Many area choirs have performed beautiful Christmas chorales. First Baptist Concord choirs performed their concert on Sunday evening, December 5th. Pastor Doug Sager stated "On this night last year, I was in intensive care in the hospital praying that God would allow me to live to see one more Christmas." The adult choir, Fusion (youth choir), and a children's choir joined their voices on several musical selections, making up approximately 400 voices.

First Baptist Concord sent their choir to Hyden, Kentucky on Saturday, December 4th to assist in a missions project for Appalachians residents. Some choir members made it to Hyden; however, bus loads of 200 choir members were stopped by hazardous road conditions due to heavy snowfall in Kentucky. Sager stated, "Our choir has tried to go on several mission trips this year, but they were stopped by a volcano and again by a snowstorm."

As holiday celebrations continue in Knoxville, we at the Knoxville Daily Sun wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Published December 5, 2010