CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Daniel Webb has been directing the Christmas play at the Oakridge Bible Church for the past 42 years.

This year, they're doing a show called "Humbug," a modern Wall Street take on Charles' Dickens "A Christmas Carol."

Webb says he started directing the church Christmas play when he was a young man studying theater in college because he thought it would be good experience, but he enjoyed it so much, he's made the play a big part of his life's work.

"I remember after the first couple years, I so enjoyed it, I asked the lord, ‘if I'm allowed to live, I'd like to do 50 of these," he said.

Webb says a lot of people come in for Christmas plays who don't regularly attend church, and it's a good opportunity to try to make an impact on those members of the audience.

"People have told us over the years they really feel down at Christmas,” Webb said. “They've had a death in the family or they're going through a divorce, and so we try for a couple of hours to relieve their burden, so when they face them again when they leave, they feel a little better."

His cast and congregation wanted to show their gratitude for his 42 years of dedication by nominating him as a WSAZ Hometown Hero.

Webb was presented the award before a performance of the show Monday evening.

This time the audience applauded not just for the show but for the man who's put his heart and soul into the production year after year.