Lipscomb University kicks off the Christmas season with Lighting of the Green featuring host Ellie Holcomb
Annual tradition has become a beloved tradition in the Lipscomb family and Nashville community
Kim Chaudoin |
The Lipscomb University community ushered in the holiday season as more than 3,000 people gathered inside Lipscomb’s Allen Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 2, for the 21st annual Lighting of the Green. The event has become a traditional start to the Christmas season for the Lipscomb family and the greater Nashville community.
This year Nashville singer-songwriter Ellie Holcomb hosted the show, and her energetic Christmas spirit made for a great start to the holidays at Lipscomb. She was joined by Matt Maher, nine-time GRAMMY® nominee and three-time GMA Dove Award winner; fan favorite and Lipscomb alumni group Daves Highway; Sandra McCracken, a GRAMMY®-nominated, Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter and author; Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University choirs; Sanctuary and the Lipscomb Gospel Choir.
Ellie Holcomb with the Lipscomb Academy 5th and 6th grade chorus.
Daves Highway
Lipscomb Gospel Choir
Matt Maher
The festivities began with the Merry Marketplace, a collection of holiday vendors in support of scholarships through the Associated Women for Lipscomb. Families enjoyed free photos with Santa, while the highlight of the evening was the holiday concert followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree on campus.
For the first 20 years of Lighting of the Green, Amy Grant has traditionally hosted this special event, bringing her music and inviting talented artists to help the Lipscomb community usher in the Christmas season. This year Grant has a scheduling conflict, so she invited Holcomb to fill in as host.
Sandra McCracken
Sanctuary
Through the years, the holiday concert has featured a number of popular entertainers including Michael W. Smith, Jordan Smith, Brenda Lee, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Lennon & Maisy from the hit ABC show “Nashville,” Vince Gill, Danny Gokey, Nicole C. Mullen, Mandisa, Melinda Doolittle, CeCe Winans, Point of Grace, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Buddy Greene, Ruth McGinnis, Cody Fry, Jon and Valerie Guerra, David Phelps, Guy Penrod, Dave’s Highway and the Annie Moses Band.
More than 3,000 people gathered in Lipscomb's Allen Arena for Lighting of the Green on Dec. 2.
Katie Rey Sutherland, a junior songwriting major from Santa Clarita, California, was named this year’s recipient of the Amy Grant Scholarship.
Amy Grant Scholarship
In addition to giving the gift of music to the community, one of the lasting impacts of Lighting of the Green is inspiring and encouraging music students to pursue their education and career aspirations through the Amy Grant Scholarship. The scholarship was established in 2014 by anonymous donors to honor Grant’s influence and leadership.
At the concert, Katie Rey Sutherland, a junior songwriting major from Santa Clarita, California, was named this year’s recipient of the scholarship. Sutherland is a member of Phi Sigma social club, participates in commercial ensembles every semester and has been involved across the Lipscomb campus as she’s led worship in The Gathering and in student-led devotionals.
“She has a deep passion for creating authentic, joy-filled music that points people to Jesus. Wherever she is sharing her gifts, whether it be at weddings, women’s conferences, church gatherings or nursing homes, her heart is that every song she writes and every stage she steps onto brings life, hope and the joy of the Lord,” said Brown Bannister, professor in Lipscomb’s School of Music.
Members of the women's soccer team were the honorary tree lighters.
Lighting of the Green
The evening concluded with the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree in the Lipscomb University quad along Belmont Boulevard. McQueen invited members of the Lipscomb women’s soccer team to light the green.
The women’s soccer team has just completed an outstanding season. They are the 2025 ASUN champions. They defeated Mississippi State on the road in the first round of the NCAA Division I national championship tournament, and in the second round of the tournament, they came up just short against No. 3 Florida State University, losing 1-0 in a match played in Washington D.C. just over a week ago. Lipscomb finishes the 2025 season as back-to-back ASUN Champions and NCAA Second Round qualifiers for the second time in program history. In addition, Head Coach Kevin O’Brien was named ASUN Coach of the Year for the fifth time; freshman forward Skylar Cole earned ASUN Freshman of the Year honors; and eight Bisons were named to All-Conference teams.
Lighting of the Green 2025 sponsors include FirstBank, American Constructors, One Digital, Solomon Builders, Herring Technology, C.O. Christian and Sons, Ascend Federal Credit Union, AutoPro Nashville, Lee Company, Crown Paving, TIAA, Cigna, Shepherd Financial and Rose Hill.
Free pictures with Santa is a highlight of Lighting of the Green each year.
The vening began with shopping at Merry Marketplace.
School of Music students shared their talents before the concert.
