Perhaps it is me, but when I looked around and witnessed thousands of people
standing shoulder to shoulder with smiles on their faces, joy in their
hearts, and hot mochachinos in hand to complete the sensory Fantasia, I knew
the new millenium was upon us. “Jesus is coming” I thought as the lights
dimmed on stage, the music slowed, and the crowd around me stopped buzzing
and paid attention. Suddenly, an elf appeared, and another one. The crowd
cheered. They knew this was the moment for which they had braved
temperatures that had dropped into the lower sixties, for which some
children had even been pulled out of soccer practice. I held my breath, and
steadied myself, knowing I was ready to meet my maker. Next, a drum rolled,
a curtain was janked open, and who else but Santa Claus appeared in full
galore on stage. The crowd roared. “Merry Christmas” yelled Chris waving
at them. He definitely knew how to put the Chris in Christmas, and who but a
grinch cared if it was a good 5 weeks before the almighty holiday. “Are you
ready to light this tree?” he asked the crowd and they roared again. Then,
with a wink and a nod a switch was turned on and there wasn’t a dry eye in
sight.

Fashion Island has done it again, the tallest, live, decorated Christmas
tree in the United States (and possibly the world) is warming the hearts of
Newport and surrounding communities, and what better place to celebrate this
time of year than with your fellow Christians in a safe and beautiful shrine
to the God of America.