At VOUS Church, the holiday season is a time to reflect, connect, and celebrate the good news of Jesus. One of the hallmarks of this season is the VOUS Christmas Tree Lighting—an annual tradition that captures the heart of the community and invites everyone to experience the joy of Christmas. This annual event is a blend of creativity, production, and heartfelt community-building, making it both a cherished tradition and an effective outreach tool. Here’s how we bring this vision to life, and how you can create a similar experience for your community.

‍

The Vision Behind the Christmas Tree Lighting

At its core, the VOUS Christmas Tree Lighting is a celebration of Jesus as the light of the world. This event not only marks the beginning of the “Christmas at VOUS” season but also serves as an evangelistic opportunity and a memory-making tradition for our church and community.

The tree lighting symbolizes hope and joy, shining brightly as a reminder of the good news of Jesus. By combining faith, fun, and fellowship, the VOUS Tree Lighting has become an essential part of our holiday calendar. 

Now in its third year, the VOUS Tree Lighting continues to evolve. What began as a single-location event has expanded to two locations — VOUS SoMi and VOUS Miami Gardens. Drawing inspiration from other churches, we aim to incorporate fresh elements each year to keep the experience exciting and impactful. 

From creative additions to the Christmas calendar to enhancements in production quality, this event attracts both first-time guests and our consistent church community. 

‍

Making the Invitation Count

The VOUS Christmas Tree Lighting is more than just a celebration–it’s a strategic outreach opportunity. Many people may hesitate to attend a regular Sunday service but are drawn to the festive, family-friendly atmosphere of a holiday event.

Held immediately after the final service of the day, the tree lighting provides a seamless transition for guests who wish to stay, as well as a welcoming environment for those who come solely for the event. This accessibility, combined with our broader Christmas calendar, often leads to increased attendance throughout the season.

To spread the word, VOUS leverages a mix of online and offline marketing channels, including:

• Dedicated Web Pages: A Christmas landing page with all event details–www.vouschurch.com/Christmas
• Social Media: Shareable graphics and teaser videos to encourage invites.
• Email Campaigns: Targeted outreach, particularly to an older demographic that may not be on social media.
• Sunday Announcement: Trusted voices from pastoral staff inviting the community from the stage and printed invites our community can share with loved ones and friends.

‍

Creative Content Strategy

At VOUS, the Christmas Tree Lighting is brought to life through a carefully curated content strategy that engages the community at every stage:

• Before the Event: Invite graphics, teaser videos, and print materials.
• During the Event: Capturing photos and producing a recap video showcasing the magic of the evening.
• Post Event: Archiving all content for future promotions.

Each year, we refine our approach, emphasizing the importance of testing technical elements and creating shareable invites to empower the community to spread the word.

‍

‍Behind the Scenes: The Production Team

The magic of the VOUS Christmas Tree Lighting relies heavily on the production team’s planning and execution. Planning begins 6-8 weeks in advance, focusing on key elements such as audio, lighting, and power allocation.

‍

Key Production Insights:

• Audio Setup: Includes EAW RL12 and RL18S speakers, managed by an Allen & Heath SQ-6 soundboard.
• Lighting Cues: Synchronized with music and confetti cannons for the perfect tree-lighting moment.
• Power Management: Thorough testing ensures all systems function seamlessly throughout the event.

‍

Creating an immersive atmosphere requires more than just technical expertise–it’s a team effort. Clear communication is critical, with radios keeping everyone connected and countdowns coordinated to synchronize the lighting itself.

‍

Tips for Execution

No matter the scale and budget, the heart and vision behind the Christmas Tree Lighting can easily be adapted to suit your organization best. Here are some practical ways to bring the magic to life on any budget:

• Creative Tree Designs: A tree doesn’t need to be elaborate to make an impact. Creatively building the structure for your tree with string lights or repurposed materials can make a bold statement without a big budget.
• Simplified Audio: Spread out speakers to maximize coverage without renting additional equipment. 
• Environment and Experience: Hot chocolate, cookies, and photo installations create a welcoming environment where people will take photos and share on social media.‍
• Volunteer Coordination: Communicate the vision and logistics early to make volunteers feel confident and prepared.

‍

Ultimately, it’s the atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression. The heart of the event is the connection it fosters, not the scale of the production. As you step into the Christmas season in your community we pray for the peace and provision of Jesus over you!

‍