Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX, the 40,000-member megachurch led by Dr Jack Graham, has defended itself against criticism following the release of a video showing a Christmas rehearsal with musicians flying through the air.
The video was a rehearsal for their ‘Gift of Christmas’ spectacle, which they run yearly. They advertise it as a “visually stunning multimedia event complete with special effects, a nearly 1,000-member cast and choir, live orchestra, flying angels and much more!” with tickets ranging from 19$ up to $59 for premium seating. Last year they featured those same flying drummers, along with a flying Santa and real camels brought onstage.
Defending the original clip, which received thousands of (frequently negative) comments, a Prestonwood Spokesperson offered:
For more than a quarter of a century, Prestonwood Baptist Church has pulled out all the stops in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ during the Christmas season…We are grateful to have the opportunity to share this grand celebration of our Savior with as many as 75,000 people each year through ‘The Gift of Christmas.’
“At Prestonwood, we believe Jesus deserves our absolute best, especially at Christmas. It’s unfortunate that the perennial American tradition of the church Christmas program now draws hateful ire from some. We pray that they, too, may come to know the joy of Christmas and the love of our Savior.”
Bonus. Hillsong still holds the crown for the worst Christmas shows.
There was the insane one, the satanic Buddhist dance, the one depicting Jesus born in a riotous bar, (since deleted), Hillsong’s sensuality Christmas show with fleshly dancers, the Hillsong show with women writhing in nothing but towels, their infamous ‘Silent Night Sleazy Night’ Christmas special from several years ago (also since deleted), the immodest, irrelevant Tina Turner cover and then the new one with more displays of the flesh.
