Motorists speeding by on Interstate 405 (the San Diego Freeway)
are suddenly greeted by a dazzling display of Christmas lights as
they travel through the Orange County community of Costa Mesa.
Motorists speeding by on Interstate 405 (the San Diego Freeway) are suddenly greeted by a dazzling display of Christmas lights as they travel through the Orange County community of Costa Mesa. More than 300,00 energy efficient L.E.D. (light emitting diode) bulbs illuminate traditional seasonal images on the property of Trinity Christian City International.
For the past 10 years, workers have begun stringing and testing lights starting before Thanksgiving. When the display is finally finished a few weeks before Christmas, the grounds remain open until as late as 10 p.m. some evenings, and visitors are welcome to stroll or drive through the free exhibit until Jan. 13 when it will be retired until next year.
This unique event comes as a gift from Jan Crouch, who with her husband Paul, founded Trinity Broadcasting Network. It is offered as a present to the residents of Southern California in order to “share the special joy and beauty of Christmas.”
TBN is the largest religious network in the world with five million viewer households in the United States watching on 275 television stations in the U.S. (Subscribers to DirecTV can find the network on channel 372; Dish Network viewers should turn to channel 260.) Outside the U.S., TBN is carried on satellite and cable stations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the South Pacific, and Central and South America. Although the stations carry no paid commercials, it is estimated that revenue of $200 million annually comes from donations sent in by viewers.
The Costa Mesa facility is well worth a visit when you are in the area. Free films are presented several times daily in the Virtual Reality Theater, using a state of the art high definition projector with a 48-channel sound system. One of them is “The Revolutionary,” shot entirely on location in Israel, which narrates the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
Exiting the theater, audience members can walk through an indoor re-creation of the Via Dolorosa, the street in the old walled city of Jerusalem where Jesus carried his cross to Calvary.
Also located at the TBN world headquarters are rooms with replicas of famous paintings and familiar Christian sculptures. Visitors can peek into the studios where such shows as “Praise the Lord” are produced. Outside are beautiful gardens with lush plantings and sparkling fountains.
The Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh Gift Shop offers an array of religious items like Bibles, music and souvenirs. Located adjacent is the Solid Rock Bistro, serving a selection of food items.
Since its founding in Santa Ana in 1973, TBN has grown to include Trinity Music City USA, the former mansion of singer Conway Twitty now used as a studio for musical shows, and the International Production Center near Dallas, Texas, where foreign language shows are produced. For more information about touring the headquarters building in Southern California, located at 3150 Bear St., call (714) 708-5405.
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There are many Christmas events celebrating Christmas still going on in the Bay Area.
– The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites visitors to Christmas on Temple Hill at 4770 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Thousands of lights illuminate the gardens and temple grounds, and a live nativity scene is available for viewing from 7 to 8 p.m. each night. Several free musical presentations are open to the public. Call (510) 531-1475 for more information.
– Closer to home is the annual Fantasy of Lights held at Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos. Animated displays (including a new erupting volcano) entertain viewers as they drive through the park. Admission is $9 per car Monday through Thursday, and $13 Friday through Sunday. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. For more information call (408) 356-2729.
