>> PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING FANFARE BY FORT JACKSON'S OWN 282ND ARMY BAND BRASS CHOIR.

AND THEN JOIN US IN SINGING, HARK THE ANGELS SINGING, WHICH IS PRINTED ON YOUR PROGRAM.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ HARK THE HERALD ♪ ANGEL SING ♪ GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING ♪ PEACE ON EARTH ♪ AND MERCY MILD ♪ GOD AND SINNERS ♪ RECONCILED ♪ JOYFUL ALL YE NATIONS RISE ♪ JOIN THE TRIUMPH ♪ IN THE SKIES ♪ AS THE ANGELIC HOSTS PROCLAIM ♪ CHRIST IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM ♪ HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING ♪ GLORY TO THE ♪ NEWBORN KING ♪♪ >> MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WELCOME TO THE 48TH ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S CAROLIGHTING, SPONSORED BY THE COLUMBIA METROPOLITAN CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, THE COLUMBIA GARDEN CLUB AND THE GARDEN CLUB OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

I'M NIGEL ROBERTSON OF WYFF CHANNEL 4, GREENVILLE.

IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU TONIGHT AS THE HOST OF THIS TIME-HONORED TRADITION TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

THIS YEAR'S TREE IS 33 FEET TALL AND IS DECORATED WITH 11,000 LED LIGHTS, 900 ORNAMENTS AND IS TOPPED WITH A 3-FOOT ALUMINUM STAR.

THIS MAGNIFICENT TREE IS A GIFT TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY THE COLUMBIA GARDEN CLUB AND THE GARDEN CLUB OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

THANK YOU TO TIMBER TECH, SCE&G, SOUTHWAY CRANE, AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA TO ENJOY THIS TREE ALL SEASON LONG.

NOW PLEASE STAND AND HELP ME GIVE ME A HUGE WELCOME TO THE STAGE OUR GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT DATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA THE HONORABLE NIKKI RANDHAWA HALEY.

AND HER FAMILY.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> NEXT, WELCOME JEFF KERSEY, SENIOR PASTOR OF MT.

HOREB UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN LEXINGTON FOR THE BLESSING OF THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION.

>> WOULD YOU BOW YOUR HEADS AND LET US GO TO GOD IN PRAYER.

GRACIOUS GOD WE THANK YOU FOR BRINGING YOUR LIGHT INTO THIS WORLD THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST.

AS WE GATHER TOGETHER TO LIGHT THIS CHRISTMAS TREE, WE ASK FOR YOUR LIGHT TO SHINE IN EACH OF US.

WE ASK YOU TO BLESS YOUR PEOPLE GATHERED HERE JUST AS YOU BLESSED US WITH THIS HOLY CHILD MAY WE BE A BLESSING TO ALL YOUR CHILDREN.

GRACIOUS GOD, PREPARE OUR HEARTS TO RECEIVE YOUR MESSAGE THROUGH THIS TIME OF SONG AND CELEBRATION.

MAY THE LIGHT OF YOUR TRUTH GUIDE US THROUGHOUT THIS HOLY SEASON.

MAY THE LIGHT OF YOUR LOVE MOVE US BEYOND OUR DIFFERENCES.

MAY THE LIGHT OF YOUR WISDOM BRING US PEACE.

HELP US, DEAR GOD, TO BRING THIS LIGHT AND HOPE TO THE HOPELESS.

HELP TO THE HELPLESS, AND COMFORT TO THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED.

AND HEALING TO THOSE WHO ARE HURT.

WE INVITE YOUR HOLY LIGHT TO SHINE ON THIS CAPITOL, THROUGHOUT THIS COMMUNITY AND ALL OVER OUR STATE.

EQUIP EACH OF US TO BE A LIGHT TO THIS WORLD.

MAY THE HOPE AND LIGHT BORN IN A MANGER BE BORN IN US TONIGHT.

IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

>> AMEN TO THAT.

THANK YOU PASTOR.

NOW LET'S HEAR THE ANGELIC VOICES OF THE CAROLINA CHILDREN'S CHOIR WHICH INCLUDES 150 STUDENTS FROM SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE MIDLANDS, THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR UNDER THE DIRECTORSHIP OF SUSANNE WYATT WYATT, WILL SING "STILL, STILL, STILL."

♪ STILL, STILL, STILL ♪ MY HEART WITH JOY I FILL ♪ I SING ME A SONG ♪ AND WATCH BY A MANGER ♪ FILLED WITH PROMISE ♪ KEEP ME FROM DANGER ♪ STILL, STILL, STILL ♪ MY HEART WITH JOY ♪ I FILL ♪ STILL ♪ STILL ♪ STILL ♪ WITHIN THY HOLY WILL ♪ TO PRAISE GOD ♪ ONE VOICE I RAISE ♪ WITH HONOR AND WONDER ♪ KEEP US SAFE ♪ STILL, STILL STILL ♪ WITHIN THY HOLY WILL ♪♪ >> NEXT, LET'S LISTEN TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S UNIVERSITY CHORUS PERFORM "GO WHERE I SEND THEE," DIRECTED BY DR.

ALICIA WALKER.

♪ CHILDREN GO ♪ GO WHERE I SEND THEE ♪ HOW SHALL I SEND THEE ♪ I'M GONNA SEND ♪ THEE ♪ ONE BY ONE ♪ ONE FOR THE LITTLE BITTY ♪ BABY ♪ BORN, BORN, BORN ♪ IN BETHLEHEM ♪ CHILDREN, GO WHERE I SEND THEE ♪ HOW SHALL I SEND THEE ♪ I'M GONNA SEND THREE ♪ TWO BY TWO ♪ TWO FOR PAUL AND SILAS ♪ ONE BY LITTLE BITTY BABY ♪ BORN, BORN, BORN IN BETHLEHEM ♪ THREE FOR THE HEBREW CHILDREN ♪ FOUR FOR THE FOUR THAT STOOD AT THE DOOR ♪ BABY BOY ♪ BORN IN BETHLEHEM ♪ CHILDREN, GO WHERE I SEND THEE ♪ CHILDREN, GO WHERE I SEND THEE ♪ I'M GOING TO SEND 12 BY 12 ♪ 11 FOR THE 11 DERIDERS 10 FOR THE 10 COMMANDMENTS ♪ NINE FOR THE NINE ♪ ALL DRESSED SO FIERCH ♪ EIGHT FOR THE EIGHT ♪ THAT STOOD AT THE GATE ♪ SEVEN FOR THE SEVEN THAT NEVER GOT TO HEAVEN ♪ SIX FOR THE SIX ♪ THAT NEVER GOT FIXED ♪ FIVE FOR THE GOSPEL PREACHERS ♪ FOUR FOR THE FOUR ♪ THAT STOOD AT THE DOOR ♪ THREE FOR THE HEBREW CHILDREN ♪ TWO FOR PAUL AND SILAS ♪ ONE FOR THE LITTLE BITTY BABY ♪ CHILDREN, GO WHERE I SEND THEE ♪ CHILDREN, GO WHERE I SEND THEE ♪ HOW SHALL I SEND THEE ♪ I'M GONNA SEND THEE ♪ GO, GO, GO ♪ WHERE THEY SEND ME ♪♪ [APPLAUSE] >> IN THIS HOLY SEASON, WE ARE REMINDED OF WHAT UNITES US TONIGHT.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THE HONORABLE SAMUEL RIVERS, JR., SENIOR PASTOR OF THE VOICE OF THE LORD INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES, INC., FOR THE CHRISTMAS PRAYER.

>> Y'ALL MAY BE SEATED WHERE YOU ARE AT AS WE PRAY.

FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR YOU ARE GOOD AND YOU DO GOOD.

TEACH US YOUR PRECEPTS AND STATUTES.

WE KNOW THAT YOU LOVE US REGARDLESS OF HOW WE PERFORM AND YOUR LOVE TOWARD US NEVER RUNS OUT.

OVER 2,000 YEARS AGO YOU CAME INTO THIS WORLD, AND WE AWAIT YOUR COMING AGAIN.

WE CELEBRATE YOU OZ EMMANUEL.

AND WE FIND NEVER ENDING JOY IN THE FACT THAT GOD IS IN DEED WITH US.

WE REJOICE IN THE REALITY THAT YOU KNOW US AS WE TRULY ARE.

YOU NOT ONLY COME TO US, BUT MORE IMPORTANT, YOU LOVE US WITH A LOVE THAT IS BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING AS WELL.

AS WE LOOK TO YOU, AND AS YOU LOOK TO US, WE WOULD HOPE THAT OUR LIVES WILL REFLECT YOUR LOVE, YOUR CONCERN, YOUR COMPASSION, IN THIS SEASON OF GIFT GIVING.

LESS US NEVER FORGET THAT YOU -- LET US NEVER FORGET THAT YOU, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, HAVE GIVEN US OUR GREATEST GIFT EVER.

IN YOU WE FIND WHO NOT ONLY MAKES PROMISES BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU KEEP THE PROMISES.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSISTENT AND WONDERFUL BLESSING.

FILL US WITH THE GRATITUDE YOU DECERTIFY EVERYBODY FROM US AND NEVER -- THAT YOU DESERVE FROM US.

NEVER LET US BECOME BORED OR COME PLACENT.

WE PRAY ALL THESE THINGS IN THE NAME OF THE MERE COLUMBIA CHILD, JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD, AMEN.

♪♪ ♪ HURRY TO BETHLEHEM HEM ♪ AND SEE THE SON OF MARY ♪ SHEPHERDS COME TO WORSHIP ♪ ALONG THE JORDAN ♪ THEY ALL BOW DOWN ♪ BEFORE THE SON OF MARY ♪ SEE THE STAR ♪ SHINING BRIGHT ♪ IN THE SKY ♪ THIS CHRISTMAS NIGHT ♪ FOLLOW ME ♪ JOYFULLY ♪ HURRY TO BETHLEHEM ♪ AND SEE THE SON OF MARY ♪ LET US ALL ♪ PAY HOMEAGE ♪ LET US GO ♪ TO THE CELEBRATION ♪ HURRY TO BETHLEHEM ♪ AND SEE THE SON OF MARY ♪ SEE THE STAR ♪ SHINING BRIGHT ♪?

THE STARS ♪ IT IS CHRISTMAS NIGHT ♪ FOLLOW ME ♪ JOYFULLY ♪ HURRY TO BETH LETHEM ♪ AND SEE THE SON OF MARY ♪ HURRY TO BETH WILLLEHAM AND SEE THE SON OF MARY ♪♪ >> THAT >> THAT WAS THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR SINGING "STAR CAROL."

NOW YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT WITH THE FIRST NOEL PERFORMED BY GULLAH MUSIC SENSATION MARVA SMALLS AND THE HALLELUJAH SINGERS.

>> HELLO, COLUMBIA!

♪ THE FIRST NOEL ♪ THE ANGEL DID SAY ♪ WAS TO CERTAIN POOR ♪ SHEPHERDS IN FIELDS ♪ AS THEY LAY ♪ CERTAIN POOR SHEPHERDS ♪ IN FIELDS AS THEY LAY ♪ IN FIELDS WHERE THEY LAY ♪ A KEEPING THEIR SHEEP ♪ ON A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT ♪ THAT WAS SO DEEP ♪ COLD WINTER'S NIGHT ♪ THAT WAS SO DEEP ♪ NOEL NOEL NOEL NOEL ♪ BORN IS THE KING OF ISRAEL ♪ BORN IS THE KING OF ISRAEL ♪ THE FIRST NOEL ♪ THE ANGEL DID SAY ♪ WAS TO CERTAIN POOR ♪ SHEPHERDS IN FIELDS ♪ AS THEY LAY ♪ CERTAIN POOR SHEPHERDS ♪ IN FIELDS AS THEY LAY ♪ IN FIELDS WHERE THEY LAY ♪ A KEEPING THEIR SHEEP ♪ ON A COLD WINTER'S NIGHT ♪ THAT WAS SO DEEP ♪ COLD WINTER'S NIGHT ♪ THAT WAS SO DEEP ♪ NOEL NOEL NOEL NOEL ♪ BORN IS THE KING OF ISRAEL ♪ BORN IS THE KING OF ISRSRAL ♪ DING, DONG.

♪ DING, DONG.

♪ DIN♪ D DONG.

♪ DIN♪ D DONG.

♪ DING, DONG.

♪ NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, NOEL ♪ NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, NOEL ♪ NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, NOEL ♪ BORN IS THE KING OF ISRAEL ♪ BORN IS THE KING OF ISRSRAL ♪ DIN♪ D DONG.

♪ DING, DONG.

♪ DING, DONG.

♪ DING, DONG.

♪ DIN♪ D DONG.

♪ DIN♪ D DONG.

♪ NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, NOEL ♪ NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, NOEL ♪ NOEL, NOEL, NOEL, NOEL ♪ BORN IS THE KING OF ISRAEL ♪ BORN IS THE KING OF ISRSRAL ♪♪ [APPLAUSE] >> THAT'S EXCELLENT AND BORN IS THE KING.

NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY SINGERS, PERFORMING "THERE IS NO ROSE," DIRECTED BY DR.

JUSTIN DURHAM FOLLOWED BY A PIECE MADE POPULAR BY THE TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, "WIZARDS IN WINTERRE IS PERFORMED BY THE SOUTHERN BRONZE HANDBELL ENSEMBLE DIRECTED BY BETTY MYERS.

♪ THERE IS NO ROSE ♪ THERE IS NO ROSE ♪ OF SUCH VIRTUE ♪ AS IS THE ROSE ♪ THAT BARE JESU; ♪ ALLELUIA.

♪ ALLELUIA.

♪ ALLELUIA.

♪ THERE IS NO ROSE ♪ OF SUCH VIRTUE ♪ AS IS THE ROSE ♪ THAT BARE JESVIR ♪ THERE IS NO ROSE ♪ OF SUCH VIRTUE ♪ AS IS THE ROSE ♪ THAT BARE JESVIR ♪ ALLELUIA.

♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ FOR IN THIS ROSE ♪ CONTAINED WAS HEAVEN ♪ AND EARTH IN LITTLE SPACE; ♪ FOR IN THIS ROSE ♪ CONTAINED WAS HEAVEN ♪ AND EARTH IN LITTLE SPACE; ♪ RES MIRANDA.

♪ RES MIRANDA.

♪ RES MIRANDA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ THERE IS NO ROSE ♪ OF SUCH VIRTUE ♪ AS IS THE ROSE ♪ THAT BARE JESU; ♪ THERE IS NO ROSE ♪ OF SUCHA ♪ AS IS THE ROSE ♪ THAT BARES JESU; ♪ THAN IS THE ROSE ♪ THAT BARES JESU ♪ LEAVE WE ALL ♪ THIS WORLDLY MIRTH ♪ AND FOLLOW WE ♪ THIS JOYFUL BIRTH; ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ ALLELUIA ♪ AMEN ♪♪ [AS THE LAUS ♪♪ [WHESARDS IN WINTER] ♪♪ [WIZARDS IN WINTER] ♪♪ IAHESARDS IN WINTER] ♪♪ [WIZARDS IN WINTER] ♪♪ ♪♪ [AS THE LAUS >> THANK YOU!

THAT WAS TERRIFIC.

NOW PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THE HONORABLE MAYOR STEVE BENJAMIN FOR HIS REMARKS.

>> IT IS MY GREAT HONOR AND PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU TONIGHT AND BRING YOU A FEW WORDS.

I PROMISE IT WILL BEA ONIW WORDS.

I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY.

I WANT TO THANK ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORKED SO HARD AND GAVE SO MUCH SO WE COULD JOIN TOGETHER HERE IN CELEBRATION.

I WANT TO THANK THE GOVERNOR AND HER HARD WORKING STAFF, ALL THE WORK THAT THEY PUT INTO THIS AND THE OPTIMIST CLUB HAS WORKED ON THIS YEARS AND YEARS.

THIS IS A FANTASTIC EVENT.

I WANT TO THANK THE COLUMBIA GARDEN CLUB FOR DELIVERING ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL TREE THIS YEAR.

MOMENTS LIKE THIS WOULD MAKE OUR CITY SPE YOU AL, IT IS WHAT MAKES COLUMBIA GREAT AND SOUTH CAROLINA GREAT.

IT JUST MAKES THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A GREAT NATION.

DISPUTE ALL THE TURMOIL AND DIVISION WE SEE ON OUR TELEVISION OR READ IN THE NEWSPAPERS, HERE WE COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING, WHO YOUR PARENOTH ARE OR WHERE YOU WERE BORN, RICH OR POOR, MAN OR WOMAN, WHITE, BLACK, BROWN, SHEPHERD, KIN♪ D LITTLE DRUMMER BOY, NO MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE YOU SPEAK, WE ALL COME TSO WETHER TO GIVE THANKS AND CELEBRATE AND SING OF GOD'S GRACE.

IT IS IN THAT S A RIT WE JKSN HERE.

ENJOY IN CELEBRATION.

IT IS IN THAT SPIRIT WE JOIN HERE TSO WETHER IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS BEFORE THE SHINING BEACON OF HOPE AND UNDER THE WINGS OF COLUMBIA.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING THE HEART OF THIS GREAT MIRACLE.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS, WE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND MAY GOD BLESS UVIS EVERYONE.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MAYOR BENJAMIN.

NOW, WE DELIGHT IN THE SOUND OF CHRISTMAS BELLS WITH TWO CAROIN., GLORIA HODIE AND SLEIGH RID, M BY THE SOUTHERN BRONZE HANDBELL ENSEMBLE FOLLOWED BY GREARICAN NOEL PERFORMED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CHORUS.

♪♪ [GLORIA HODIE] ♪♪ [GLORIA HODIE] ♪♪ ♪♪ [SLEIGH RID ♪♪ [APPLAUSE] ♪ SING NOEL ♪ SING NOEL ♪ SING SNOAL ♪ NOEL NOEL ♪ SING WE ALL THE WORLD ♪ SING WE ALL NOEL ♪ SING NOEL ♪ SING SNOAL ♪ NOEL NOEL ♪ SING NOEL ♪ SING NOEL ♪ NOEL NOEL ♪ SING WE ALL NOEL ♪ SING WE ALL NOEL ♪ O KING ♪ O KING ♪ COME YE PEOPLE ♪ GATHER HERE ♪ TO HEAR THE NEWS ♪ OF GOOD CHEERS ♪ THE KING OF KINNIN ♪ THE LAMB OF GOD ♪ IS BORN TODAY ♪ IN BETHLEHEM ♪ SING NOEL ♪ SING NOEL ♪ SING NOEL ♪ SING NOEL NOEL ♪ SING NOEL ♪♪ [AS THE LAUS >> ARE YOU READY?

IT IS OUR TURN NOW.

PLEASE STAND WITH ME AND LET'S ALL SIN♪ D DECK THE HALLS.

♪ DECK THE HALLS ♪ WITH BOUGH OF HOLLY ♪ FA-LAECK DELAECKA, LAECK DELAECKA ♪ TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY FA-LA-LAECK DELA, L DELAECK DELA ♪ DON WE NOW ♪ OUR GAY APPAREL ♪ FA-LA-LA-LA-LA, LAECK DELAECKA ♪ TROLL THE ANCIENT ♪ YULE TIED CAROL ♪ FA-LA-LA-LA-LA, LA-LA-LAECKA.

>> EXCELLENT JOB.

ONCE AGAIN, THE HALLELUJAH SINGERS.

>> WE WERE SCHEDULED TO SING "SING TO THE KING" SO WE ARE GOING TO SING MARY HAD A BABY ♪ MARRY HROSE ♪ O LORD ♪ MARY HROSE ♪ O MY LORD ♪ MARY HAD A BABY ♪ O, LORD ♪ THE PNOEL ♪ BUT THE ♪ SOME PEOPLE ♪ CALL HIM O LORD ♪ SOME PNOEL ♪ O MY LORD ♪ BUT I THINK ♪ I'LL CALL HIA ♪ O LORD ♪ THE PEOPLE KEEP ACOMING ♪ BUT THE TRAIN ♪ DONE GO ♪ HE COME TO FREE ♪ O LORD ♪ HE COME TO FREE ME ♪ O MY LORD ♪ HE COME TO FREE ME ♪ O LORD ♪ THE PEOPLE KEEP ACOMING ♪ BUT THE TRAIN ♪ DONE GONE ♪ BUT THE TRAIN ♪ DONE GONE ♪♪ ♪ BUT THE TRAIN ♪ WELL ♪ DONE ♪ O MY LORD ♪ GO ♪♪ [APPLAUSE] >> SIA THANK YOU AGAIN, THE HALLELUJAH SINGERS.

IS EVERYONE GETTING INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT?

NOK Y JKSN ME IN WELCOMING THE PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT?

NOK Y JKSN ME IN WELCOMING THE PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE MIDLANDS AUTHORITY FOR CONVENTIONVIS SPORTS & TOURISM TO INTRODUCE THE GOVERNOR.

[AS THE LAUS >> ON BEHALF OF THE MILCOANDS AUTHORITY FOR CONVENTIONS, SPORTS & TOURISM, THANK YOU FOR SUS THE ORTING THE 2014 GOVERNOR'S CAROLIGHTING PROGRAM.

IT IS GRATIFYING TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY PETOULE WHO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EVENT EACH YEAR.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS SPECTACULAR TRADITION TO BEGIN THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

NOK Y IT IS MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT TO YOU THE 116TH GOVERNOR OF OUR GREAT STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINDEC THE HONORABLE NIKKI RANDHAWA HALEY.

PLEASE STAND AND WELCOME OUR GOVERNOR TO THE PODIUM FOR A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MESSAGE BEFORE SHE JOINS HER FAMILY TO LIGHT THE STATE'S CHRISTMAS TREE.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

I THINK WE H OF E A RECORD CROWD THIS YEAR.

SO I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE EVERYBODY OUT BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS S ALLH A FANTASTIC NIGHT HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

YOU KNOW WHEN WE LOOK AT TONIGHT, WHAT I LOVE IS WE BRING SO MANY PEOPLE TOGETHER.

THIS IS TD BLY A MAGICAL SEASON.

NOW LAST YEAR I DIDN'T HAVE MICHAEL WITH ME.

SO I ALWAYS WANT TO START OUR MESSAGE BY REMINDING YOU THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF MILITARY FAMILIES THAT ARE MIY HOING A LOVED ONE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

PLEASE LET ME THANK OUR SOLDIERS, MEN AND WOMEN, WHO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM.

[APPLAUSE] AND I WILL SAY WITH THOSE WHO H OF E PASSION THERE IN THE BACK, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE HAVING TO SAY BECAUSE IT IS OUR SOLDIERS THAT ALLOW YOU THE FREEDOM TO DO THAT BUT I ASK THAT YOU GIVE RESPEERNO TO EVERAMILODY THAT HAS WORKED VERY HARD TO BE HERE TODAY.

[APPLAUSE] YOU KNOK Y I WANT TO START WITH A STORY.

WHAT I LUSK ABOUT CHRISTMAS -- WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS IS WE AOOKAYS GET THE BEST STORIES THAT COME OUT.

IT IS NOT THAT PNOEL T GOOD ALL YEAR LONG BUT IT IS THAT WE REALLY FIND THOSE STORIES THAT MOVE US WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

I H OF E A STORY OF PASTOR RICK COLE OF SAN CRA MEANT TOE.

HE PRAISED MONEY FOR FOOD AND SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS.

HE DID IT BECAUSE THA?

WHAT HE DID EVERY YEA 2 BUT THIS YEAR HE TRIED TO TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

HE DECIDED TO TAKE TWO WEEKS AND LIVE AS A HOMELESS PERSON.

HE SPENT HIS DAYS LOOKING FOR FOOD AND WORRYING ABOUT WHERE HE WOULD SLEEP AT NIGHT.

HE SLORD BEGAN TO EXPERIEZAE HOW PEOPLE IGNORE OTHERS.

I BECAME THE ONE IGNORED.

PETOULE WALKED BY ME LIKE I DIIGHT'T EXIST.

HE SAID HIS LESSON WAS, WHY NOT HIA WHY NE HE GET OTHERS TO HELP.

HE SAID, THOSE PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD.

THN N MATTER TO M THAT AND NOW IAGE OUT WHY THEY DIDN'T MATTER TO ME BEFOR THAT IT IS A LESSON FOR ALL OF US.

WHEN WE LOOK AT HEBREWS 13:1-3 IT SAYS KEEP ON LOVING ONE ANOTHER AS D NOT FORGET TO SHOW HOSPITALITY FOR S THEANGERS BECAUSE FOR DKSNG SOME PEOPLE HAVE SHOWN HOSPITALITY TO ANGELS WITHOUT NE HEHING I O REMEMIYER THOSE IN PRISON AS IF YOU WERE IN THERE TOGETHER WITH THEM AND THOSE MISTREATED AS IF YOU YOURSELVES WERE SUFFERING.

TO ME THIS PASSAGE SUMS UP WHAT THE HOLIDAY SEASON IT SUS THE OSED TO BE ABOUT, LOVING THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU AND BEING SELFLESS WITH YOUR TIME AND ENERGY TO LIFT THEM UP.

WITH THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THETO IKED4 CHRISAPPAS CHALLENGE.

LAST YEAR WE STARTED A NUTRA DIGGS.

WE SLORD WI THEA -- A NEW TRADITION.

WE SAW RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNEY HO EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE STATE LAST DECEMBER, NOT BECAUSE PEOPLE HAD TO BUT BECAUSE PNOEL WANTED TO.

AND SO NOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE OFSAUGHAL.

WE ARE DKSNG A PROCLAMATION THAT SAYS WHEREAS FROM SPONTANEOUS SMILES, HUGS, COMPLIMENTS AND VISITS TO THE LONELY TO PERFORMING CHORES FOR THE ELDERLY, OF WI STREY HOED AND PROVIDING MEALS, FOOD AND GIFT CARDS TO A STRANGER, RANDOM AERNOS OF KINIGHTESS MDINE THE DAYS KINDER FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

PAYING IT FORWARD THROUGH RANDOM AERNOS OF KINIGHTESS IS A WAY FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND GROUPS TO PROME HEE GOODWILL IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, HELP A PERSON IN NEED, PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO REGULARLY PERFORM GOOD DEEDS FOR OTHERS.

WHEREAS THE PERFORMANCE OF RANDOM AERNOS OF KINIGHTESS N WRING THIS HOLIDAY HELRL MAKE THE HOLIDAYS BRAITER FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF THE STAT THAT I THEREFORE IS THE GFORMAERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA PROCLLORD 2014 AS RANDOM AERNO OF KINDNESS ACT OF KINDNESS MONTH AND ENCOURAGE ALL SOUTH CAROLINLORD ROSE TO REPRESENT GOODWILL AND KINDNEY HO WITHIN OUR CO AYUNITIES.

[APPLAUSE] WE DID IT LAST YEAR.

I THINK WE CAN DO IT BIGGER AND BETTER THIS YEAR AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT SHOWS WHY WE ARE THE FRIENLCOIEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

SO GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND DECIDE WHAT THE RANDOM AERNOS OF KINIGHTESS ARE GOING TO BE.

GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR CO-WORKERS.

GET T WHETHER WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS AND GET TOGETHER AND HELP A STRANGER.

EVEN THOSE S THEANGERS THAT MIGHT BE I TWORED.

EVEN THOSE STRANGERS THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE NOTICED BEFOR THAT LE?

YHEM NOW.

I WILL SAY, I WANT TO END WITH A GREATEOTO FROM RONALD RAY BA SAN AND ITIM- REAGAN HE SAID, CHRISTMAS WE EXPERIENCE IT IN OUR HEARTS FOR MORE THAN JUST A DAY CHRISTMAS IS A STATE OF MIND.

IT IS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE VIDAR WHENEVER FLORD COMES DOUBT, HOPE CONQUERS DESPAIR AND LFORMAE TRIUMPHS FORMAER HAT THAT IT IS PRESENT WHEN MEN OF ANY CREED BRING LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING TO THE HEARTS OF FELLOW MAN.

THE EMOTION IS SEEN IN THE EYES OF CHILDREN AND EVIDS OF THE AGEERS.

IT OVER COMES THE CHEERFUL GIVER AND SOULS OF THE CARING.

PLEASE JKSN ALL OF US OR LE?

WISH EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAY.

WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING THIS MAGCKAL NIGHT WITH US AND GOD BLEY HO SOUTH CAROLINA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[AS THE LAUS WI >> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR HALEY!

NOW LET'S HAVE BOTH THE FIRST NOW MILY AND THE BENJAMINS COME UWE DTO THE PODIUM.

IF YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE EVERYONE THA?

WILL FLIP THE SWITCH AND LIGHT THAT TREE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP COUNTING DOWN FROM TEN REALLY LOUD SO THAT SANTA CAN HEAR.

WE WILL START FROM TEN.

TEN.

NINE.

EIGHT.

SEVEN.

SIX.

SAVE.

FOUR.

THRE THAT TWO.

ONE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

[AS THE LAUS WI W SING ALONG.

♪ JOY TO THE WORLD ♪ THE LORD IS COME ♪ LET EARTH RECA-VE ♪ HER KING ♪ LET EVERY HEART ♪ PREPARE HIM ROOM ♪ AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING ♪ AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING ♪ AND HEAVEN ♪ AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING ♪ HE RULES THE WORLD ♪ WITH TRUTH AND GRACE ♪ AND MAKES THE NATIONS PRFORMAE ♪ THE STORIES OF ♪ HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ♪ AND WONDERS OF HIS LOVE ♪ AND WONDERS OF HIS LFORMAE ♪ AND WONDERS ♪ WONDERS OF HIS LOVE.

[APPLAUSE] >> EXCELLENT JOB.

LO SAY THE THAT TRE THAT AMAZING.

PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE BENEDCKTION FROM THE CHAPLAIN WITH FORT J INKSON.

>> LET US PRAY.

O GRACIOUS AND ALMIGTHE EY GOD, AS WE CONCL MEE THIS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY, MAY WE BE REMINDED OF THE RICH SYMIYOLISM ON THIS CHRISAPPAS THEEE THAT SOMETHING THAT SPEAKS OF LIFE AND POINTS TO SPEAKS OF LIFE AND POINTS TO FUTURE.

MAY EACH OF US BE INSPIRED TO DEDICATE OURSELVES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TO BRING PE INE IN OUR COMMUNITY, OUR STATE, AND THROUGHOUT THE WOTOU3ERS.

MAY THE LIGTHE E OF THIS TREE PENETRATE OUR HEARTS IN THE DEPTH OF OUR SOUL AND THEN O LORD, WE PRAY THAT E INH OF US MAY EXPERIENCE THE JOY, LOVE AND PEACE THAT THIS SPECIAL TIA PROCLAIA RECEIVE OUR RICH BLESSINGS THROUGHOUT THE COMING NEW VIDAR.

WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR MOST HOLY NAME, AMEN.

>> NOW LET'S JOIN EACH OTHER AS WE SING "I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS" ♪ WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪ WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪ WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪ AND A HAPEED NEW YEAR ♪ GOOD TIDINGS WE BRING ♪ TO YOU AND YOUR KING ♪ TIDINTH Y FOR CHRISAPPAS ♪ AND A HAPEED NEW YEAR ♪ WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪ WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪ AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> EXCELLENT JOB.

WHAT AN UPLIFTING NIGTHE E THIS NIGHT HAS BEEN.

OUR PROGRAM CLOSES WITH THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY SINGERS PERFORMINGNTACHRISTMASTIA ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR AND MAY YOURTIM- MAYOR BEOGETAMIN, WE WISH YOU AND EACH OF YOUR FAMILIES A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS.

♪ CHRISAPPAS ♪ CHRISAPPAS ♪ TIME ♪ CHRISTMAS HAS A BRIGHTNESS ♪ CHRISAPPAS IS A WARMth ♪ WARMER THAN THE HEAOTH OF JUNE ♪ CHRISTMAS HAS A BEAUTY ♪ LFORMAELIER THAN THE WORLD ♪ FOR CHRISAPPAS IS SO THAT ♪ ALL THE WORLD CAN KNOW ♪ LETHEREA J SN UP YOUR MUSCK ♪ SING AND BEL FL RING ♪ ♪♪ [CHRISTMASTIME] [AS THE LAUS WI ♪♪ ♪♪ >> THANK YOU, SANTA AND THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TONIGH O ♪♪ ♪♪