Christmas music, activities are offered by Oklahoma City-area churches

“We have great soloists and performers,” VanHemert said. “I think it's a first-class job considering these are volunteers. We have people who just want to tell the story of Jesus' life.”

Other formats

Some congregations and faith-based organizations choose to share the message of Christmas in a different way.

Boy's Ranch Town in Edmond, operated by Baptist Homes for Children, will present its annual Nativity scene portrayal to the community with its Living Christmas Pageant Friday through Dec. 9, while a bustling Bethlehem marketplace and other biblical scenes will be presented through Forest Hill Christian Church's popular outdoor experience “Journey to Bethlehem,” continuing Saturday and Sunday in a wooded area near the west Oklahoma City church.

United Methodist Church of the Servant will blend the musical production and living Nativity scene presentation with “Home for Christmas,” set for Dec. 16.

Leaders said the church will present a musical journey through Christmas past and present, with more than 200 musicians, actors, dancers and live animals. The show will include favorite Christmas songs and hymns plus a visit from Santa Claus. A living Nativity scene will be presented, and families are encouraged to bring children to the event early to enjoy a “Nativity” petting area.

Musical concerts abound, including “Handel's Messiah” to be presented Dec. 9 as part of the Kemp Concert Series at First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City.

The Christmas portion of the work will be presented by the church's Sanctuary Singers, plus Westminster Presbyterian Church's Chancel Choir, singers from Redeemer Church and First Unitarian Church of Oklahoma City and many metro-area soloists. The chorus and a professional orchestra will be conducted by Josh Phelps, and accompanist John L. Edwards will play the 75-rank Moeller organ.