The $71-a-ticket megachurch Christmas show tearing Dallas apart… and the furious fans saying ‘Jesus would be flipping tables’

A Christmas show at a church in Plano, Texas, has become a flash point in America - a Rorschach test in today's hyper-political culture.

The 'Gift of Christmas' at Prestonwood Baptist Church, as the nearly two-hour extravaganza is called, has become one of the most well-known holiday shows across the US, mostly thanks to social media. People seem to either love or loathe the 'Vegas-style' production at the mega church- complete with a flying Santa Claus and live camels and sheep- with tickets selling from $20 to $71 per person.

'Tell me how a family of 4 has to spend $200 to go but that's considered "community outreach,"' one critic wrote online.

Other churches across America who have comparable Christmas spectacles (Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square in Salt Lake, Elevation Church at multiple locations in the south, Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas) do not charge for their programs.

However, the Plano church says there's nothing wrong with putting your best foot forward for Jesus.

'Nothing is too extravagant for Christ. We bring our very best offering. If we do anything less than our best, then it’s not acceptable,' lead worship pastor Kaleb Moore Moore told Texas Monthly.

The show's organizer defended it as a cherished holiday tradition that reaches people who've never heard about Jesus Christ.

'The Christmas show here is extraordinary, and it is over the top and it's designed that way as an outreach for people to come into the church,' Andy Pearson, the church's creative director told Fox 4.

'It is not a normal Sunday morning experience. Our Sunday mornings are free, they're amazing, I encourage you to come and be a part of them, but this is something in addition to that.'

What did you really expect from a religion?

The gospel truth, without charge, as commanded by the Messiah, blessed be He.

Matthew:

[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
[8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
[9] Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
[10] Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
[11] And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
[12] And when ye come into an house, salute it.
[13] And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
[14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
[15] Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
[16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

I read that a long time ago, some churches made you pay a dime to use a pew. Once a man forgot his hat when he was leaving and wanted to go back to get it. He explained the situation to the usher who told him that he could go back to get it—”but mind you, no praying while you are at it.”

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