>> Good evening, and welcome to the 55th Annual Governor's Carolighting.

<Trumpets blaring majestically> I'm Pastor Tony Foster.

It gives me great pleasure to join you as host of this time honored South Carolina tradition.

To kick off the holiday season and ignite the Christmas spirit, we will be reading the Christmas story from the Bible.

We have talented performers from across the great Palmetto state with us tonight.

We're excited to light the state Christmas tree at the end of the show.

Please stand and help give a huge welcome to our Governor Henry McMaster and First Lady Peggy McMaster.

<applause> <Trumpets blaring majestically> <Gov.

McMaster> Y'all, welcome.

What a beautiful South Carolina night.

How many children do we have out there?

Say something.

Hey!

<crowd cheers> All right!

How many of you have been to the State House before?

Say something.

<crowd cheers> Good.

All right.

Well, you're here now.

<child in crowd shouts> "Hey, Henry!"

Hey, baby.

I want to welcome you.

We've got a great program tonight.

I want to welcome you, ladies and gentlemen, and children of all ages.

That includes most of us.

Welcome to the historic state capital, and it is truly historic, for the 55th Annual Governor's Carolighting.

55 years in a row.

Last year was a little different, but we plan to continue for 55 and then 55 and right on.

We in South Carolina have many reasons to be joyful, thankful, and happy.

And the most precious of all will be told tonight in the Christmas story.

It is all about Jesus, children.

Our magnificent tree is adorned by nature, and highlighted with the handiwork of 900 ornaments and 13,000 lights.

Try to count them, if you can.

It is a beautiful sight in a beautiful state full of beautiful people on a beautiful night.

May God continue to bless you and your family, the state of South Carolina and the United States of America.

Merry Christmas to you all!

<cheers and applause> <Pastor Tony Foster> Let's thank the Governor again.

<cheers and applause> Now, let's pray together.

Spirit of the living God, we give you praise.

Tonight as on that night when Christ was born, the heavenly host filled the sky, and they began to sing glory to the highest, and goodwill to all men.

Today in South Carolina, the great State of South Carolina, we declare that again tonight.

So, Lord, Jesus, be glorified in this city and in this state.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Luke 1: 26-31; In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, to a town called Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.

The virgin's name was Mary.

The angel went to her and said, "“Greetings, you are highly favored!

The Lord is with you"”" Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

But the angel said to her, "“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and we shall call his name Jesus.

<singing "O Come All Ye Faithful"> ♪ <with piano accompaniment> ♪ ♪ O come, all ye faithful, ♪ ♪ joyful and triumphant ♪ ♪ O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem ♪ ♪ O come and behold Him, ♪ ♪ born the King of Angels ♪ ♪ O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord ♪ ♪ O sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation ♪ ♪ O Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above.

♪ ♪ Glory to God Glory in the highest ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him O come let us adore Him ♪ ♪ O come let us adore Him Christ the Lord ♪ <applause> [singing and playing acoustic guitar to "The First Noel"] ♪ The first Noel, the angel did say, ♪ ♪ Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay ♪ ♪ In fields as they lay keeping their sheep, ♪ ♪ On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

♪ ♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, ♪ ♪ Born is the King of Israel.

♪ ♪ ♪ And through the earth it gave great light, ♪ ♪ And so it continued both day and night.

♪ ♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, ♪ ♪ Born is the King of Israel.

♪ ♪ ♪ Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, ♪ ♪ Born is the King of Israel.

♪ <Pastor Tony Foster> Luke 2: 1-7; Amen.

In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem, a town of David, because he lodged in the house of David.

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born.

She gave birth to her first born son.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available to them.

<singing "Away in a Manager" with piano accompaniment> ♪ Away in a manger no crib for a bed ♪ ♪ The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head ♪ ♪ The stars in the sky looked down where he lay ♪ ♪ The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

♪ ♪ The cattle are lowing the baby awakes ♪ ♪ But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

♪ ♪ I love you Lord Jesus; look down from the sky ♪ ♪ And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.

♪ ♪ Be near me Lord Jesus I ask you to stay ♪ ♪ Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.

♪ ♪ Bless all the dear children in God's tender care, ♪ ♪ And fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.

♪ ♪ <applause> ♪ <jazz instrumental> ♪ ♪ <Pastor Tony Foster> Incredible!

<cheers and applause> Luke 2: 8-11; And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over the flock at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, "“Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.

Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."

<singing and playing guitar to "Oh Holy Night"> ♪ O Holy Night!

♪ ♪ The stars are brightly shining.

♪ ♪ It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!

♪ ♪ Long lay the world in sin and error pining ♪ ♪ 'Til he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

♪ ♪ A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices!

♪ ♪ For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

♪ ♪ Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angels' voices!

♪ ♪ Oh night divine!

Oh night when Christ was born!

♪ ♪ Truly, He taught us to love one another.

♪ ♪ His law is love and His gospel is peace.

♪ ♪ Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother ♪ ♪ And in His name all oppression shall cease ♪ ♪ Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, ♪ ♪ Let all within us praise His holy name!

♪ ♪ Christ is the Lord!

♪ ♪ O praise His name forever!

♪ ♪ His power and glory evermore proclaim!

♪ ♪ ♪ His power and glory evermore proclaim!

♪ ♪ Fall on your knees Oh hear the angel voices!

♪ ♪ Oh night divine!

Oh night when Christ was born!

♪ ♪ Oh night divine!

Oh night, oh night divine!

♪ ♪ <applause> <Pastor Tony Foster> Amen!

Luke 2: 13-14; Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angels, praising God and saying, "“Glory to God in the highest heavens, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.

"” ♪ <The Jackson Sisters> ♪ ♪ <applause> ♪ <The Fort Jackson Army Band> ♪ ♪ <Pastor Tony Foster> Fort Jackson Army Band.

<applause> Luke 2:15-18; When the angels had left them and gone into the heavens, the shepherds said to one another, "“Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.

"” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger.

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about the child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

♪ <Southern Bronze Handbells> ♪ ♪ <applause> <Pastor Tony Foster> Matthew 2:1-2 & 10; After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, the Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, "“Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?

We saw His star when it rose and we have come to worship Him.

"” When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

♪ <jazz instrumental> ♪ ♪ <applause> <Pastor Tony Foster> Wow!

Mark Rapp.

Matthew 2:11; On coming to the house, they saw the child and His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him.

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

<Southern Bronze Handbells playing "What Child Is This?"

♪ <Pastor Tony Foster> Great Job!

<applause> 203 years ago, on Christmas Eve, the organ player of a small Austrian church realized the organ was broken.

Panicked, he went to his pastor, Father Joseph Mohr, and explained they would have no music for Christmas service.

As Father Mohr went for a walk later that day in his peaceful town, he became so inspired by the serene scene before him that he wrote a poem.

He called the organist back to the church and together they composed one of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time to the tune of three simple chords on a guitar.

Hundreds of years later, we still sing the familiar song.

"Silent Night."

♪ <"Silent Night"> ♪ ♪ Silent night, ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ All is calm, ♪ ♪ All is bright ♪ ♪ Round yon Virgin, ♪ ♪ Mother and Child ♪ ♪ Holy Infant ♪ ♪ so tender and mild ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ ♪ ♪ Silent night, ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ Shepherds quake ♪ ♪ at the sight ♪ ♪ Glories stream ♪ ♪ from heaven afar ♪ ♪ Heavenly sing Alleluia ♪ ♪ Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born ♪ ♪ Silent night, ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ All is calm, ♪ ♪ All is bright ♪ ♪ Round yon Virgin, ♪ ♪ Mother and Child ♪ ♪ Holy Infant ♪ ♪ so tender and mild ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ ♪ <applause> <Pastor Tony Foster> Psalms 98: 4-6 And the quote from "Joy to the World."

"Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth.

Burst into jubilant song with music.

Make music to the Lord with the harp and the sound of singing, with the trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn.

Shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let us come together and rejoice, for our Savior has come."

♪ <The Jackson Sisters> ♪ ♪ <applause> <Pastor Tony Foster> The Jackson Sisters.

Isaiah 9:6 (one of my favorite scriptures) For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders.

He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

<singing "Hallelujah" with piano accompaniment> ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ The kingdom of this world ♪ ♪ Is become the kingdom of our Lord ♪ ♪ And of His Christ, and of His Christ ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ ♪ And He shall reign for ever and ever ♪ ♪ For ever and ever, forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ ♪ (Forever and ever Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!)

♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ (Forever and ever Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!)

♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ ♪ (Forever and ever Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!)

♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ (Forever and ever Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!)

♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ ♪ (Forever and ever Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!)

♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ (King of kings and Lord of lords) ♪ ♪ And He shall reign And He shall reign ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings (Forever and ever) ♪ ♪ and Lord of lords!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever, forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings and Lord of lords!

♪ ♪ ♪ King of kings and Lord of lords!

♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever, forever and ever ♪ ♪ Forever and ever and ever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

♪ ♪ Hallelujah!

♪ <cheers and applause> <Pastor Tony Foster> South Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, please welcome Governor Henry McMaster and First Lady Peggy McMaster to count us in the lighting of the state Christmas tree.

<Gov.

McMaster> There's a button here somewhere.

Alright, let's all count together.

Starting at 10 and going to 1.

I don't know where the button is, but it will come on.

Everybody ready?

Remember, this is 13,000 lights on that tree and 900 ornaments.

Let's count.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Ah-ha!

<cheers and applause> <trumpets blaring majestically> <Pastor Tony Foster> Thank you so much for joining us for the 2021 Carolighting.

Please join us in singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" to close our program.

♪ <"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"> ♪ We wish you a merry Christmas We wish you a merry Christmas We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin Good tidings for Christmas and a happy new year!

We wish you a merry Christmas We wish you a merry Christmas We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

<cheers and applause> ♪ <jazzy Christmas instrumental> ♪ ♪ <applause> <crowd chatter> ♪ <When the Saints Go Marching In> ♪ ♪ ♪ <clapping> ♪ <choir singing and clapping> ♪ I want to be in that number ♪ ♪ when the Saints go marching in.

♪ ♪ <clapping> ♪ ♪ I want to be in that number ♪ ♪ when the Saints go marching in.

♪ ♪ Well when the Saints go marching in ♪ ♪ when the Saints go marching in ♪ ♪ I want to be in that number ♪ ♪ when the Saints go marching in ♪ ♪