St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church introduced a new Christmas event this week, what Monsignor Robert Weiss called “a gift to say thank you for your incredible faith, and all that you have brought to each other during these very difficult and challenging months.”

The Christmas 2020 Light Show Extravaganza debuted Sunday, December 20, in the parking lot of the Church Hill Road parish. A few technical difficulties delayed the launch of the first show of the evening, but that was soon remedied. Shortly after 6 pm, lights that had been draped on the church’s Bell Garden and along the outline of the church building itself were supplemented by dazzling, flashing lights synced to a medley of holiday music.

Before that, a brief recorded message from Msgr Weiss welcomed attendees. The message played over radios in each vehicle, all parked to face the western side of the church building. A sign near a side entrance to the sanctuary told guests which station they should tune in to.

“We hope you enjoy the message of tonight, because Christmas holds for us all the hope that we need as a people of faith, and reminds us of the joy that is ours, that Christ is born once again,” Weiss said in his message. Behind his voice, a gentle piano version of “The First Noel” was played.

It is sometimes easy to lose the real meaning of Christmas, Msgr Weiss said.

“We hope that tonight’s performance reminds you of what this holy day is all about: that Christ is among us, and as He walks with us in faith, we have all that we need to find the peace we are so desperately seeking,” he noted. He encouraged each audience member to enjoy the lights and the music, “but more importantly, enjoy this Holy Season.”

Audience members were then treated to approximately 15 minutes of the music-synchronized flashing lights. Attendees were told to remain in their vehicles, to continue pandemic protocols that require social distancing. Many children enjoyed the show by standing up through opened sunroofs. Laughter and clapping could be heard across the lot during the presentation.

The Christmas Light Show Extravaganza was announced last week. It was initially planned for three evenings, with three shows each night. By showtime Sunday, the schedule had expanded to five nights, with six offerings each night.

By midweek the offering had again been extended. As of December 24, the shows will continue nightly through January 1. The event runs from 6 to 9 pm, with programs beginning every 30 minutes.

There is no charge, but reservations are requested and can be done at stroselights.com.