After the students sang “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Thankful,” Lovinggood said, “Thank you, boys and girls. That was a great job.”

He then introduced Pickens First Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Daniel Heeringa, who gave the devotion for the tree-lighting ceremony.

“Good job, boys and girls,” said Heeringa. “You did a great job.

“What a joy it is to be here tonight. My family moved back to Pickens a little over three years ago, after being away, and it’s a joy to be back. We always have enjoyed the lighting of this tree. It kind of says that it’s Christmas time in Pickens as much as anything around here.

“I want to thank Blue Ridge Electric Co-op for what you represent. On September 11 of 2002, a year after the national tragedy, I was asked to give a devotion to the Blue Ridge staff. I was coming in the back entrance, and I was not familiar with that entrance. You didn’t have the ornate fence that you have today. You had the old chain link fence, a pretty stout chain link fence, as I found out, because I looked past the fence at the door, trying to figure out where to go in, and sideswiped the fence. It didn’t hurt the gate, but it hurt my car and busted my tire, took out part of the side of it. I just pulled around like nothing happened. I grabbed my coat out of the backseat. I took a quick look at the damage, panicked a little bit inside, and headed on in the door. There were some men standing outside, and one of them looked at me and said, ‘Did you hit that fence?’ And I said, ‘Yes, sir, and I busted my tire.’ I went on in, shaking. I did the devotion. When I came back out, my car was already jacked up. The tire was off. It was at a local shop getting not fixed, getting replaced. I was gifted a tire that day by this great cooperative. And I was deeply grateful then, and I still appreciate that to this day.

“That same Blue Ridge spirit showed up again 14 months ago, on a much larger scale, when this community was tested. No one in the Upstate felt the strain of Helene, as an organization, probably more than Blue Ridge Electric Co-op — trees down, roads blocked, power poles snapped, homes damaged or destroyed. And, while the rest of us sheltered, your trucks were already rolling. Your crews were in dangerous conditions. Hour after hour, your office staff worked without stopping — many of you away from your families while your own homes were affected. That did not go unseen. The Lord used you and first responders to carry this community through these dark days. So, I thank you.

“You light up this community, literally, and this beautiful tree behind me reminds me of the words of the Gospel writer in John 1:5 when he said, ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ We are reminded tonight that, even when storms hit, when the power goes out, when life feels uncertain, God still brings light, for He is the light. That light came into the darkness of the world through a manger. And He still steps into the darkness of a storm, of a hard season in your life, or anything that we face. He is our hope. And I believe this tree is a reminder of that hope, that He is with us — Emmanuel, God with us. That is the message of Christmas. And He’s the one that lights the darkness.

“And, so, as we light this tree tonight, may it remind us of the one who still brings hope, peace, still brings joy. The Pickens community and surrounding areas, Merry Christmas, and may the light of Christ shine in your home and in this community. Shine on for the Lord Jesus.”