Sara Suarez is from New Jersey, but didn’t miss her chance to kick off Christmas hundreds of miles away at the Billy Graham Library.
Monday marked the seventh annual opening of Christmas at the Library, which runs through Dec. 23.
“The presence of God is felt (here) for sure,” Suarez said, standing on a lit concrete path near the Library entrance.
She was in the area to visit her son and paused for a few moments outside the Library’s double glass doors to hear Christmas greetings from members of the Graham family, including Billy Graham’s grandson, Roy, and his granddaughter, Cissie Graham Lynch.
Roy was quick to point out that the Library isn’t centered on his grandfather, but on the One he’s preached about for so many years: Jesus Christ. It’s the same with Christmastime. Visitors won’t find stacks of presents littering Library floors or lines to sit in Santa’s lap, but instead will leave with a joy and hope only God can put in their hearts.
At least, that’s what Library staff hope for.
“Celebrate with us the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ,” Library Vice President Tom Phillips said to a crowd gathered around the live nativity. Phillips encouraged people to bring their friends and experience the real meaning of Christmas.
Cissie Graham Lynch got at the heart of the real meaning as she read the story of Christ’s birth from Luke 2. Her pint-sized daughter, Margaret, eyeing the live nativity animals, was a little preoccupied as she tried her best to climb over a wooden fence post. Margaret later joined other Graham children in pressing a big red button that lit a star above the nativity.
It was Suarez’s first time enjoying Christmas at the Library, an event that draws thousands each year. She looked forward to taking a horse-drawn carriage ride, one of the many Christmas activities offered throughout December.
Each night, beginning at 5 p.m., visitors can hear carolers, enjoy thousands of twinkling lights, pick up warm goodies like cinnamon rolls and apple cider, join their kids for story time on a heated patio, and see the live nativity. (Come early to pet the animals.)
And as always, there’s a free tour called The Journey of Faith.
Laura Davis and her husband, along with their son and daughter-in-law from Texas, were among many Monday who took that tour, which chronicles Mr. Graham’s ministry around the world. As with the tour, Davis noticed that the Library grounds are all about One person—and he isn’t dressed in a red and white hat.
Three women from Steele Creek Church of Charlotte later led the audience in Christmas carols. Alex Kennedy, pastor of Carmel Baptist outside Charlotte, closed the kickoff ceremony with a prayer for all who will visit the Library this Christmas.
He prayed “that laughter and joy would fill this property in a special way” and that everyone would leave knowing God’s love for them.
Get details on Christmas at the Library. Admission and parking are free. Christmas events run 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Library is closed on Sundays.
Read about Graham family Christmas memories from Billy Graham’s granddaughter, Cissie Graham Lynch.
