Several churches offer free Christmas performances
The Biblical story of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem will be dramatized this week in traditional nativity scenes in Makiki and Manoa.
Several other special events are planned by island churches as Christmas approaches. All events are free and open to the public.
Tonight, spectators may join costumed shepherds, angels and Magi who surround the Holy Family in living tableaux on the Central Union Church grounds, at 1660 S. Beretania St. "A Gift of Bethlehem" will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Visitors may park and stroll or drive through. Vehicles should enter from Beretania Street.
Scenes of "The Christmas Story and Beyond" will be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at University Avenue Baptist Church, at 2305 University Ave. Church members will enact seven scenes of the birth and life of Christ.
Meanwhile, three Honolulu churches will host Christmas concerts.
» The "Love Joy Peace" concert at Kawaiahao Church, 957 Punchbowl St. at 7 p.m. today will feature the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, and the Kawaiahao choir, bell choir, hula halau and Kawaiolaonapukanileo Vocal Ensemble.
» More than 200 singers in adult, youth and children's choirs and a concert orchestra will perform carols and sacred music at the Honolulu Tabernacle, at 1560 S. Beretania St. The 7 p.m. concerts today and tomorrow are presented by the Honolulu Hawaii Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
» The Honolulu Chorale will sing at 7 p.m. today at United Church of Christ, at 467 N. Judd St.
Waiokeola Congregational Church, 4705 Kilauea Ave., will host a "Blue Christmas" service at 5 p.m. tomorrow. The service of prayers, mediations and music is intended for people who might be feeling blue as the holiday approaches because they have experienced recent loss or grief.
A Christmas Charismatic Healing Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Michael the Archangel Eastern Catholic Church, 94-529 Ukee St. in Waipahu. Presiding will be the Rev. John Fredericks and the Rev. Aleksy Santos.
A 50-member cast will perform in a musical play, "The Glory of Christmas: The Gift Goes On," to be presented for three nights at Honolulu Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2313 Nuuanu Ave. The show produced by Pacific Island Praise will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Salvation Army's 24th annual "Live Nativity" show will open Thursday at Waioli Gardens, 29950 Manoa Road. Costumed actors and animals will dramatize the first Christmas in performances that will be repeated every 30 minutes between 7 and 10 p.m. It will be presented nightly through Dec. 24. Parking is available.