The air in Eureka Springs is different on December 25th. A crisp, chilly winter air that bites the skin is softened by the warmth of love and community, making our small Ozark town feel like the quaint Bethlehem we commemorate today. It’s a day when we pause, not just to unwrap gifts, but to marvel at the birth of Christ. And here in Eureka Springs, the celebration is anchored by a towering symbol of faith and reverence: Christ of the Ozarks.
This seven-story monument has stood as both a beacon and a testament to belief. Erected in 1966 by Gerald L. K. Smith (1898-1976) and his wife Elna, the Christ of the Ozarks was envisioned as a way to share the story of Jesus with everyone who wandered these hills. At 67 feet tall, its arms stretch wide over the Ozark Mountains, a gesture of peace and welcome that seems particularly poignant on this day.
For over 50 years, this astounding statue of Jesus Christ has looked out over our beautiful home - Eureka Springs, Arkansas - casting an air of protection, love, hope, and serenity.
The irony is that this statue, this symbol of love and hope, was conceived and initiated by Smith who was a notorious bigot, religious and political leader and who was active during the Great Depression and World War II.
Smith was a one-time leader in Senator Huey Long's "Share Our Wealth" campaign and ran for president on independent tickets during the 1940s and 1950s three times. He was an opponent of President Franklin Roosevelt, and he was also a major opponent of the Alaska Mental Health Bill of 1955, a Congressional measure that many anti-Communists believed could lead to the creation of an American concentration camp in Alaska. Please read my blog-post, entitled, Masking bias, which gets into more of the darker details related to Smith's political prominence and his bigotry.
Many locals have stories about the statue — some sentimental, others practical. From the way its alabaster face catches the first rays of sunrise to the way it glows under December’s silvery moon; Christ of the Ozarks has a kind of magic that transcends its physical presence. It’s not uncommon to hear tales of quiet pilgrimages made in the wee hours of Christmas morning, as families climb the hill to gaze upon the statue and offer silent prayers.
Later in his life, after Smith moved to Eureka Springs, he visualized the building of a religious amusement park atop Magnetic Mountain. He also conceived the Christ of the Ozarks statue as a centerpiece for his planned park. While Smith died in 1976 and his amusement park dream was never fully realized, his astounding statue of Jesus Christ on the mountaintop has become one of the most visited attractions here in Eureka Springs.
Today - December 25
As of this day, Smith and his wife are buried at the foot of the Christ of the Ozarks, overlooking the valley and city of Eureka Springs. He was a major figure in bringing the economically depressed city back to life as a tourist destination during the 1960s with one of the most popular live performances in the South - The Great Passion Play.
Generations of visitors have come to witness the dramatization of Christ’s final days—a powerful reminder of the sacrifice that began with His humble birth in a stable. And while the play itself does not run on Christmas, the grounds remain open, inviting people to connect with the sacred.
The Great Passion Play is "America's Number One Attended Outdoor Drama" according to the Institute of Outdoor Theatre and Drama of East Carolina University at Greenville.
Today - December 25
But today isn’t about the cross; it’s about the manger. It’s about the arrival of hope swaddled in simplicity. Christ’s birth reminds us of humility—a lesson echoed in the origins of the Christ of the Ozarks statue. It was built not by engineers with advanced machinery but by local craftsmen and sculptors, each contributing their skills in an act of faith.
In a way, the statue’s creation mirrors the Nativity: a collective effort, ordinary hands accomplishing extraordinary things.
As the morning light spreads across Eureka Springs today, the Christ of the Ozarks will once again serve as a silent sentinel, reminding us of the very essence of this day. And as evening falls, it will stand illuminated, a reminder that the light of Christ—born in Bethlehem and honored here in the Ozarks—can never be extinguished.
The statue was sculpted by Emmet Sullivan, who was also noted as one of the sculptors of the massive Presidential artwork at Mount Rushmore. The top of the statue soars some 1,500 feet above sea level (67 feet above the top of Magnetic Mountain) and its width, from fingertip to fingertip is 65 feet.
Other points of interest on the grounds, apart from Christ Of The Ozarks statue include a section of the Berlin Wall, the Bible Museum, the Holy Land Tour, the Museum of History and, of course, the Great Passion Play itself.
The statue and grounds are open to the public 24 hours a day and during the month of December there is a nativity scene set-up at the base of the statue as well as hundreds of lights in the surrounding trees. A wonderful drive or walk-about experience for the whole family.
Today - December 25
For those of us who call Eureka Springs home, December 25th is more than a holiday. It’s a moment to reflect on the profound intersection of history, faith, and place. To stand before Christ of the Ozarks on this day is to feel the weight of a legacy that stretches far beyond the bounds of our mountain town. It’s to be reminded of the miracle that began in a stable and continues to echo in hearts across the world.
So, on this Christmas Day 2024, let us embrace that spirit of humility and love. Whether you find yourself gazing at the Christ of the Ozarks or simply holding loved ones close, let this day be a celebration of the enduring power of faith and the boundless grace that began with a baby born under a Bethlehem star. Merry Christmas!❤️
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