“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2: 10-14
Mercy is for those of us who require it and we are all in desperate need. We have lost our way and would remain so forever were it not for God’s love. He offers salvation to us through His son, whose birth we are about to celebrate once again. That is because Jesus is the most beautiful and perfect gift to all of mankind.
It is difficult to think of that innocent baby in the manger without embracing his purpose, as love without boundaries is the great miracle we sing of every Christmas. Sacrifice brings us mercy, forgiveness and ultimately, salvation. The joy, wonder, beauty and greatness found in the story of Christ’s birth are that God would so humble himself to become vulnerable to the evils of a world he actually found worthy of saving. Keith Glover was born in Johnson City on March 15, 1951. He arrived second of his parents’ three children. A basketball player and musician, young Keith graduated from Sullivan East High School in 1969. He then entered ETSU as a music major and graduated in 1973. While in college, Glover, Jim Sheilds, Stan Bowman and Harold Sheffield formed “Shadrack,” one of the most impressive progressive Christian Rock bands to ever blossom from the hills of East Tennessee. However, the traveling and always looking for the next gig eventually lost its shine and Keith became a music teacher for the public school system in Sullivan County. Earning his masters along the way, Glover ultimately became principal of his high school alma mater.
In 1996, Keith and his son Josh started Shadrack Water Sports, a boat dealership in Bristol, TN. In the years since, the family enterprise has expanded to a dealership in Knoxville and a campground in Bristol. Now Shadrack Water Sports & RV, Josh is the general manager of the Knoxville store and his younger sister Mikki runs the campground and is the assistant general manager of Shadrack in Bristol. Former Shadrack band member Stan Bowman is the manager of the original location. Faith often makes heroes of unlikely people and there are sacrifices of time and treasure that many of us are unwilling to make. Then, there are men like Keith Glover. Being a boat and RV dealer, the business slows considerably during the winter months and the Glovers’ wanted to come up with a way to keep their employees working. They decided to find something to fit in at Christmas and after considering many options, in 2006 Keith decided on a musical light show.
Glover spent more than 700 hours programming that first light show in Bristol. “Every single strand is programmed to do exactly what he told it to,” Glover said. “Nothing is random and it is all perfectly synchronized.” “Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland” opened to rave reviews as trees flash red, green and blue, stars blink while lights dance on poles and race over arches to the sounds of “Christmas with a Capital C” and “Joy to the World” by Go Fish, Mannheim Steamroller’s “Stille Nacht,” David Foster’s “Carol of the Bells” and Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Wizards In Winter.”
Last year, Glover brought the light show to the Knoxville location and this year, the now award winning “Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland” arrived at Smokies Park here in Sevierville. If you have yet to see the show, you have until January 2. I have seen it and can honestly say it is one of the coolest, most uplifting activities I have ever done with my family. You will not be disappointed. Hours of operation are 6pm-10pm daily. Admission is $10 per car Monday-Thursday, $15 per car Friday-Sunday, $20 per Activity Van, $30 per Limo and $65 per bus. Also, much of the proceeds will benefit area food ministries. By trying to do something good for his employees, Keith Glover managed to create something that not only accomplished his original goal, but touched the hearts of thousands of families with the true spirit of Christmas. Keith is very specific that his three light shows are” not Holiday Wonderlands, but Christmas Wonderlands,” as Christ is his Savior and Devine Inspiration for all he has done.
Henry Piarrot is a hotel manager in Sevier County. Please send all story recommendations to hpiarrot@yahoo.com
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