Rhema Christmas Light

Broken Arrow, OK

20241213_OK_RhemaLights_07 — A view from across the street into Rhema Park

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The Rhema Bible Training College is a two year faith and ministry with programs covering topics ranging across biblical studies, pastoral ministry, and world missionary studies. Since 1982, they have assembled an enormous Christmas lights display that is free to experience. I never saw it back in 1982; it might have been humble then, but it is certainly fantastic these days. You can read more about it on the Rhema Christmas Lights site.

For this holiday season, the event is open from November 27, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Except for the first day, lights turn on at 5:30 pm CST. Admission is free, but there are concession stands around selling hot chocolate, funnel cakes, and souvenirs. There is also a holiday marketplace that had 173 vendors this year. They also accept donations. We donated last year, but we forgot to this year. If we go again, we will make up for it. Otherwise, we will donate double next year.

20241213_OK_RhemaLights_04 — Kate, Elaine, and John in front of the Rhema Park duck pond

We needed to swap presents with John’s aunt Elaine before Christmas or Kate drove to Wisconsin. We found out that she had not seen the Rhema Christmas lights, so we dragged her along with us this year. (Actually, there was no resistance trying to drag her; she might have had those shoes with wheels on them.)

20241214_OK_Rhema_00 — The area in the red lines is heavily decorated with Christmas lights.

We parked to the right of the Ninowski Recreation Center (6), where the Christmas market vendors hawked their wares. The Rhema lights cover about three blocks, but the best area is in Rhema Park (14). The two blocks to the left can be driven around, so the lights are more spaced out.

The main entrance and exit is through the color changing tunnel of lights

Two little hams that have to pose instead of looking natural

20241215_Rhema Lights (3) - Copy — Elaine at the White tree

20241213_OK_RhemaLights_06 — Kate and Elaine at the white tree

20241213_OK_RhemaLights_05 — You are now entering the Christmas Tree Department…

In Rhema Park beside the recreation center, they have a coordinated lights and music display where the lights change with the music. In addition to Christmas Music, they played one of the more famous Trans-Siberian Orchestra pieces.

The dancing lights beside the recreation center

John’s Samsung phone takes higher resolution pictures, but Kate’s iPhone takes better looking pictures. The iPhone performs significantly better in higher dynamic range pictures, such as panoramas. The night pictures often appear darker, but they are better exposed to show the Christmas lights.

20241215_Rhema Lights (2) - Copy — A high definition still panorama of Rhema Park from the street

A video panorama of Rhema Park from the street

20241215_Rhema Lights (4) - Copy — Three little hams posing in from of the Rhema Lights sign in Rhema Park

There were also decorations across the street from Rhema Park in a two block area that you can drive through.

20241215_Rhema Lights (1) - Copy — Across the street, Rooker Memorial Auditorium breezeway is decorated

20241215_Rhema Lights (5) - Copy — A panorama of the Rhema Church Auditorium decorations

Walking back from the driving area, we took some photos from further back to show the traffic, Christmas lights, and mobs of attendees.

20241213_OK_RhemaLights_01 — Two primates engaged in the rarely seen potty swap.
It happens so fast that you need high speed film to catch it.

One of the things John’s aunt gave us as a present was fudge with pecans. We are going to sue for false advertising! The creamiest fudge does not come from UrAnus; it comes from John’s aunt. (If this does not make sense, read this.)

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