ASHLAND– It’s a must-see in northeastern Kentucky: a 40-foot Christmas tree adorned with 50 singers and nearly 40,000 twinkling lights that dance in synch with music.

The 30th celebration of the Living Christmas Tree will be presented this weekend at Ashland’s Unity Baptist Church.

The program also has an accompanying drama written by church members Dana Hennecke and Mark Maynard, and will involve 80 to 100 people, including the drama team, sound room and production crews, Unity Baptist choral director Sam Norrod.

“It takes a lot of people and a lot of prayer for this to all come together,” Norrod said. “Our church is committed to sharing the gospel in this unique way. Many who may not come on a Sunday morning for a service will come to the Living Christmas Tree.”

The tree uses a “midi” light system that literally brings the Living Christmas Tree to life. Songs are programed one note at a time, making it a tedious and demanding process, Norrod said.

This year’s program, “Room In This Inn,” uses some of the actual history of the church’s Living Christmas Tree that has become such a blessing in the Ashland community.

Pastor Jeremy Couture is looking forward to watching the Living Christmas Tree come to life for the first time.

He took over as pastor of the church in September.

“I’ve heard so many good things about it already,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the program and see what God has in store for us.”

The LCT will be performed Dec. 12-15 at 7 nightly and there’s a matinee on Dec. 13 at 3 p.m.

It is free and open to the public.

Call the church at (606) 324-7157 for information. The church is located at 2023 29th Street in Ashland.