Living Christmas Cards returning to Granbury

Hood County’s favorite holiday event, “Living Christmas Cards,” will be back on the historic town square for the first time in three years.

Sponsored by Lakeside Baptist Church (LBC), the event features eight “larger than life” Christmas cards that are 10 to 12 feet high and 16 to 24 feet wide. With a combined painted surface area of more than 3,000 square feet, each card will depict a different thematic scene from Christmas, making for a perfect outdoor and interactive family event.

The art featured on both sides of the cards was painted by renowned artist and LBC member James Spurlock, who worked hundreds of hours and directed a team of volunteers in applying his talent and creativity to the cards, according to the Granbury Living Christmas Cards news release.

The cards can be viewed during the day, but the “real magic” starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11, when each card comes to life with singers, actors and dancers who interact with the audience in an hour-and-a-half-long show.

“They act out different scenes, sing songs and do choreography. The card stays put, but the audience moves around each card every eight minutes,” said Carey Dyer, LBC worship pastor and creator of the event.

One card will tell the story of the hymn, “Silent Night,” while another card will depict toys coming to life around a Christmas tree. The LBC worship choir will also have a card, where they will be singing choral songs.

“We've had people come and say, ‘Man, I feel like I stepped into a Hallmark card,’ because the cards themselves are beautiful, but it's also a very small town nostalgic, charming, Christmas event,” Dyer said.

At the end of the event, everyone is invited to the gazebo on the square for a Christmas carol sing-along.

“Some people have said that's really the highlight of the evening is just a bunch of people gathered around singing Christmas carols together, and with all the Christmas lights on the square,” Dyer said. “There’s lots of opportunities for warmth and nostalgia on Christmas. I really think people of all ages will enjoy it.”

The ‘Living Christmas Card’ event only takes place every couple of years, which makes the performances this year all the more special. Due to COVID-19, the event was canceled in 2020, so this is the first time the ‘Living Christmas Cards’ will be on display since 2018.

“It works for the community because it brings a lot of tourists into our square. It works for our church because we're able to share the message of Christmas and the hope of Christmas in a fun, family-friendly way,” Dyer said.

Dyer said he is hoping to bring in some vendors, food trucks and activities to the event during the day. 

“It's a lot of work but it's really worth it. It’s come to be something that our church looks forward to and I think the community really looks forward to it as well,” he added. “It’s something that has a message to it that we hope inspires people at Christmas, what we think the true meaning of Christmas is, but it's also just a fun way to show off Granbury. It's an event that ties in really well with our historic square and the small-town charm of our area.”