Prestonwood Baptist Church’s “Gift of Christmas” has gained fame as one of America’s most prominent holiday spectacles, largely due to its viral presence on social media. The nearly two-hour event captivates audiences with its grand display.

The performance, often compared to a Las Vegas show, features a flying Santa and live animals such as camels and sheep. Opinions on the production are divided, with tickets priced between $20 and $71 attracting both enthusiasts and critics.

‘Tell me how a family of 4 has to spend $200 to go but that’s considered “community outreach,”‘ one critic wrote online. 

Some detractors quip, “Jesus would be flipping tables at this,” highlighting the controversy surrounding the commercial aspect of the show.

While other churches across the nation, like the Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, Elevation Church in the South, and Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, offer their Christmas programs for free, Prestonwood stands by its approach.

The Plano-based church defends its decision, asserting that there’s no harm in showcasing their best efforts to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

‘Nothing is too extravagant for Christ. We bring our very best offering. If we do anything less than our best, then it’s not acceptable,’ lead worship pastor Kaleb Moore Moore told Texas Monthly. 

The show’s organizer defended it as a cherished holiday tradition that reaches people who’ve never heard about Jesus Christ.

The ‘Gift of Christmas’ at Prestonwood Baptist Church has been called a ‘Vegas-style’ production- complete with a flying Santa Claus and live camels and sheep- with tickets selling from $20 to $71 per person, according to the church’s website

‘The Christmas show here is extraordinary, and it is over the top and it’s designed that way as an outreach for people to come into the church,’ Andy Pearson, the church’s creative director told Fox 4.

‘It is not a normal Sunday morning experience. Our Sunday mornings are free, they’re amazing, I encourage you to come and be a part of them, but this is something in addition to that.’

However, Prestonwood is not just any church. 

With nearly 50,000 members spread over two gigantic campuses in Dallas’ wealthy suburbs, the church has strong ties to conservatism and MAGA. 

While most houses of worship go out of their way to steer clear of politics, Prestonwood’s pastor played an AI-generated message of MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk days after his assassination earlier this year. 

Additionally, the Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated church also counts state Attorney General Ken Paxton– who has cheated on his wife at least twice – as one of its most prominent members. 

Even though the congregation has been putting on Christmas shows for four decades, according to Texas Monthly, the current version of the holiday spectacular became viral on TikTok three years ago. 

‘Social media has just changed the game because it allows people to speak into things that maybe they’ve never been to or been a part of,’ Pearson added.

Prestonwood Baptist Church has been putting on some form of Christmas show for the last 40 years, with the show adapting and growing as the congregation has grown

Members of Prestonwood Baptist Church walk from the church after morning services in 2020

Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, speaks during a rally for Donald Trump in October 2019

Visitors to Prestonwood Baptist Church can also pay for a buffet during prior to the show

He batted down criticism that church tithes are being used for the show.

‘Our ticket sales go and they directly fund the Christmas show. A lot of the criticism, I’d love for those people to come and see the show, because once you’ve sat in the room, you’ve feel the love and the joy and you’re a part of it, I think it would be very hard to have that same criticism.’

However Daily Mail’s request to view the show and speak to someone about it were denied, as a representative for the church explained that ‘cameras are never allowed during the performances.’