The Radio City Christmas Spectacular

The light of Christmas still shines in a bastion of secularism — Midtown Manhattan . . .

In a culture that almost always prefers the term “holidays” to “Christmas,” there is one notable exception — and it’s right in the heart of a secular stronghold: Midtown Manhattan itself. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes, continues a 78-year tradition of celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

Of particular interest to Christians is the “Living Nativity” scene, featuring live camels and sheep. Part of the show since its first performance in 1933, the depiction of Christ’s birth continues to be a highlight of the show. With narration from scripture and traditional Christmas hymns like “We Three Kings” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” the Living Nativity comes just before the show’s great finale.

With a nod to a now-secularized Christmas tradition, the show also features several appearances by the Jolly Old Elf himself. Santa takes the audience from New York City to the North Pole, where what appears to be a humble-looking toy workshop unfolds before the audience’s eyes into Santa’s gigantic and spectacular 25-foot high warehouse of Christmas toys.

The world-famous Radio City Rockettes, another staple of the long-running production, showcase their signature precision dance style. Along with re-imagined Rockette favorites, including the “12 Days of Christmas” scene, this year’s show features the Rockettes in routines within an unforgettable signature production number set in Times Square, lighting up the New York skyline with a glittering fireworks display onstage.

State-of-the-art technology, like the world’s largest flying indoor LED screen and 3-D film, creates an even more dramatic effect than ever. The show runs from Nov. 5-Dec 30 in New York City. The production’s national tour is playing in 25 cities across the country.

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