James Adair
Bethlehem, NC – The 49th annual Bethlehem Star Lighting is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the campus at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church on Highway 127 North in Bethlehem, NC. Members of Fellowship Advent Christian Church will lead the program. Pastor Justin Mauney of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church will provide the opening prayer. Pastor Michael Basset will read from the Christmas story and scripture about the Bethlehem Star. The program under the Bethlehem Star will include music by a musical group from Fellowship Advent Christian Church. The lighting of the Star by James Adair, a rendition of “O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” by the choir during the star lighting, Christmas carols, and an ending prayer by Pastor Bassett.
James Adair, an 85-year-old retired army veteran with 20 years of global service, will light the Bethlehem Star for the 2025 Christmas season. He has devoted his life to serving his country, community, and church. James and his wife Mickey, married for 65 years, have lived across the United States, including Hawaii, and are parents of a son, Will Jay Adair.
Other activities in this area will include a live nativity scene under the star manned by adults and children from Fellowship Advent Christian Church. Live animals will also be provided. Boy Scout Troop 275 will serve hot chocolate and cookies. They will also light bonfires (weather-permitting) in the area near the Star.
The program under the star will open with a group from Studio III under the direction of Bethlehem native Livia Palmer. They will perform “Have yourself a Merry little Christmas” and “Go tell it on the Mountain.” The program will end with those in attendance singing Christmas carols to help bring in the season.
About Bethlehem, North Carolina Star
The Bethlehem, North Carolina Star has undergone many challenges during the past 48-star lightings that began in 1977. During these 48 programs, the star changed location, was destroyed by an EF2 tornado, and rebuilt by community citizens, supported hope for passage of the Covid pandemic, and those who lost loved ones and suffered the ravages of the disease.
Event organizers say thousands have attended the star lighting during the past 48 years including celebrities who chose to stay in the background. Each person who returns home for the holidays does so with either real or imagined schemas of their early years. Hopefully, the community of Bethlehem helps these travelers become re-introduced to their early years. It is a very settling experience to drive North on NC Highway 127 across Lake Hickory to see the Bethlehem Star shining as it welcomes visitors and wayward sons and daughters’ home for the holidays.
