While most holiday light displays these days feature Santa, reindeer, elves or snowmen, DeSoto Caverns are ablaze with the story of the true Christmas miracle.

During the holiday season, all cavern tours feature a laser light, music and water show that centers on the story of Jesus’ birth. The cavern is a huge cave that is the main attraction at DeSoto Family Fun Park in Childersburg.

“Allen Mathis, who owns our park, dedicated our business to Christ in the early ‘80s, and that’s part of our core values. Everything we do at the park goes through that sieve,” said Tim Lacy, president of Mathis & Mathis Inc., which operates the park.

The show, the highlight of each hour-long cave tour, uses a dramatic blend of lasers, strobe lights, music, recorded dialogue and water to trace the story of how Jesus began his life in a manger in Bethlehem.

Nearly 30 years ago, incandescent lights were used to tell the story at DeSoto Caverns. Tour guides had to learn to orchestrate the music and lights as the script unfolded, which meant every show was different.

Since the debut of the computerized laser light show in 2013, tour guides can launch the story with a few keystrokes on a laptop inside the cave.

Laser lights are used to mark special times of year, like Christmas, at Desoto Caverns. (contributed)

Desoto Caverns also have natural beauty without the laser lights. (contributed)

Desoto Caverns also have natural beauty without the laser lights. (contributed)

Laser lights are used to mark special times of year, like Christmas, at Desoto Caverns. (contributed)

Laser lights are used to mark special times of year, like Christmas, at Desoto Caverns. (contributed)

Desoto Caverns in Childersburg has a growing number of attractions. (contributed)

Laser lights are used to mark special times of year, like Christmas, at Desoto Caverns. (contributed)

Laser lights are used to mark special times of year, like Christmas, at Desoto Caverns. (contributed)

Laser lights are used to mark special times of year, like Christmas, at Desoto Caverns. (contributed)

Desoto Caverns also have natural beauty without the laser lights. (contributed)

Lacy said the most challenging issue now is the moisture that pervades the cave.

“Because the cave environment is wet, we have to keep the electronics that operate the lights and music within a humidity-controlled cabinet,” said Lacy. “There is a hazer, or fog machine, and a multitude of lights and strobes. All of that has to be in sync and working properly, so we have to be sure the electronic equipment is dry.”

Another unusual aspect of the production is that since all tours take place during the day, it’s a great option for visitors who don’t want to wait for nightfall to enjoy a holiday light display.

“To me, the best part is that our show tells the story of baby Jesus. You don’t see that at any other attraction like ours,” said Caprece Clinton, director of marketing for DeSoto Family Fun Park.

Clinton said the Christmas show is not the park’s only light production.

“We have light shows year-round, and they are all faith-based,” she said. “When we’re not doing a holiday show, we normally have a show on creation.”

There are also shows featuring “God and country” during June and July, Christ’s Resurrection during the weeks leading to Easter and “Love” before Valentine’s Day.

The Christmas show runs through Jan. 3. Tours begin every half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Cave tour tickets are $21.99 for adults and $17.99 for children, ages 3-11.

Click here for more information about cave tours and other park attractions.