Plethora of Christmas
performances slated

Christmas spirit and a respite from the shopping frenzy is available at a church near you. The holiday events are free and open to the public.

» Today: The 7:30 p.m. "Musical Christmas Gift" at Calvary Episcopal Church, 45-435 Aumoku St., Kaneohe, will feature the Hawaii String Orchestra and St. Andrew's Priory choirs.

» Tomorrow: A Christmas cantata, "Comfort and Joy," will be performed at 9:30 a.m. at Waipahu United Church of Christ, 94-330 Mokuola St., by the combined choirs of Pearl City Community Church and the Waipahu church.

» Thursday: The Children's Choir of Holy Nativity School will present its Christmas pageant at 7 p.m. in the church, 5286 Kalanianaole Highway.

» Friday: A Christmas play, "Reason for the Season," will be presented at 7 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Christian School, 98-1016 Komo Mai Drive, Aiea.

» Next Saturday: Hundreds of Nativity scenes will be on display for "A Walk Through Bethlehem" from 5 to 9 p.m. at Koko Head Elementary School cafeteria, 189 Lunalilo Home Road. The display will include a 1,000-piece model of Bethlehem. There will be storytelling for children and refreshments served at the event, sponsored by Hawaii Kai Community Church.

» Next Saturday: Costumed volunteers will enact scenes from the biblical story of the birth of Jesus in the "Gift of Bethlehem" drive-through drama on the grounds of Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St. Motorists should enter from Punahou Street for the show, open from 6 to 9 p.m.

» Next Saturday and Dec. 19: The 7 p.m. Christmas concert at the Honolulu Tabernacle, 1560 S. Beretania St., is presented annually by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honolulu Stake. Familiar carols and sacred music will be performed by the 100-voice adult Concert Choir and Concert Orchestra directed by Craig Young, the 70-member Youth Choir led by Judi Ushio and the 50-voice Children's Choir led by Beth Uale.

» Dec. 19: The children of Christ United Methodist Church will perform in the annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. at the church, 1639 Keeaumoku St.

» Dec. 20: Christ Lutheran Church Sunday School children will present the Christmas pageant "Did I Miss Anything Important?" at 7 p.m. at the church, 95-1361 Meheula Parkway, Mililani.