HANCOCK COUNTY — It’s a big undertaking: Hours spent in song or perfecting lines. Finding costumes or building sets. Coordinating a group of 30 or even more than a hundred.
But they hope all the activity brings a moment of peace, a moment to ponder the spiritual meaning of Christmas and maybe even have an “A-ha!” moment, a new insight into what might already be a familiar story.
Justin Wells, worship leader at Fortville Nazarene Church, hopes those who come for the church choir’s Christmas concert Sunday find such a moment.
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“I hope they can walk in here on Sunday morning and sort of, for a little while, just unplug from some of the nonsense that is life this time of year,” he said, “and focus on this story … a tremendous, tremendous story and just a gift.”
Alicia Estes has a similar hope. She’s directing a cast of more than 50 in an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. today at Burge Terrace Baptist Church west of New Palestine.
The production has a specific message, not far from Charles Dickens’ original message, she believes. Dickens shows mizer Ebenezer Scrooge’s focus on self and the lessons that surround him about love and thinking of others. This production, she said, points out “while all those changes are necessary and vital, that’s not something that we can do on our own. If you have Christ in your life, that’s how the change is going to be the biggest.
“We want to go just one step further and say, ‘Make an eternal difference as well.’”
Burge Terrace presented the production last year and added a third performance this year (an earlier showing took place Friday).
Night in Bethlehem has also grown from two time slots to three since it began in 2015 at Brandywine Community Church in Greenfield.
Shana Nivens organizes the interactive experience, which includes more than 80 in costume and about 40 more volunteers who bake cookies or welcome those who come. She hopes those who pass through on one of three nights (Dec. 16-18) find that opportunity to refocus, similar to what Wells described. Working on the event provides that for her, too, she said.
“The reason I love doing this event so much is there is so much contrary to our Christian faith that happens at Christmastime,” she said. “This is something we can do as a family that brings our hearts back to the real reason for the season.”
The event has received good feedback and become a tradition for some families, Nivens said — and sometimes its youngest visitors unwittingly show the impression it’s made on them. Once in a while one of those crafts made in the marketplace ends up in the manger with Baby Jesus.
“When a little child decides they want to give a gift to Jesus … it’s just a very sweet gesture to see the heart of a child.”
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Many area congregations have musical performances and/or dramatic portrayals planned to celebrate Christmas. Here’s your guide on where to find them. Events are free unless otherwise noted.
DEC. 8
Adaptation of "A Christmas Carol": A cast of more than 50 present an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Scrooge. It begins at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Burge Terrace Baptist Church, 9345 Brookville Road, Indianapolis (just west of New Palestine). A reception follows with live music and Christmas desserts. Information: (317) 862-6109, burgeterrace.org/a-christmas-carol
DEC. 9
Choir concert: The choir at Fortville Nazarene Church performs "Sing Joy" at 10:45 a.m. at the church, 701 S. Maple St., Fortville. Information: (317) 485-6443, fortvillenazarene.org
Children’s musical: The Children’s Choir will perform a Christmas musical at 11 a.m. at Heather Hills Baptist Church, 1421 N. German Church Road, Indianapolis (Cumberland). Information: (317) 894-7474, heatherhills.org
Handbell choirs assemble: The 14th annual "Handbell Ring and Share" takes place at 2 p.m. at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, 3519 S. County Road 600W, New Palestine. Information: (317) 861-0977, crossofgrace.org
Greenfield Community Choir concert: The choir, directed by Shockley Flick, presents its "Christmas in the Air" concert at 6:30 p.m. at Bradley United Methodist Church, 210 W. Main St. Tickets are $10 for an individual or $15 per household. Information: (317) 462-2662, bradleyumc.org
DEC. 11
School Advent Celebration: A choir of kindergartners through second-graders present an Advent celebration at 6:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church and School, 6513 W. County Road 300N, New Palestine. Information: (317) 861-4210, zionnewpal.org
DEC. 15
Christmas play: Victory Independent Baptist Church presents the program "Go and Tell," a play that includes some songs, at 6 p.m. at the church, 3982 W. U.S. 40, Greenfield. Information: (317) 318-1020, victoryindependentbaptist.org
DEC. 16
Christmas cantata: The Bradley Chancel Choir, directed by Heather Pechin-Myers, and the Greenfield Community Orchestra, directed by Angela Mickler, present "Christ was Born for This" at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Bradley United Methodist Church, 210 W. Main St., Greenfield. It features familiar carols and also also a carol singalong at the end. Information: (317) 462-2662, bradleyumc.org
St. Nicholas on stage: Retired pastor Dave Schreiber presents a dramatic monologue about the historical St. Nicholas in services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, 3519 S. County Road 600W, New Palestine. "St. Nick" will hang around between services to converse with the children. Information: (317) 861-0977, crossofgrace.org
Christmas cantata: “Come and Behold Him” will be presented at 10:30 a.m. at Buck Creek Baptist Church, 135 S. Muessing Road in Cumberland. Information: (317) 894-5001, buckcreekbaptist.net
Generations Christmas Program: This includes young performers; organizers say there’s something for all ages to enjoy. It takes place at 10:45 a.m. at Fortville Nazarene Church, 701 S. Maple St., Fortville. Information: (317) 485-6443, fortvillenazarene.org
Night in Bethlehem: Travel to scenes of Bethlehem in the days of Jesus’ birth. Visit the marketplace with interactive activities and crafts. See angry King Herod’s throne room and the manger. Tours begin every 15 minutes from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brandywine Community Church, 1551 E. New Road, Greenfield. Information: (317) 462-4777, brandywinechurch.org
Christmas cantata: McCordsville United Methodist Church’s choir presents "How Great Our Joy!" at 6:30 p.m. A party follows in the fellowship hall. Information: (317) 335-3705, mccordsvilleumc.org
Crossroads Community Band concert: Bradley United Methodist Church’s Community Concert Series continues with this band in concert at 6:30 p.m., playing beloved Christmas music at the church, 210 W. Main St., Greenfield. Information: (317) 462-2662, bradleyumc.org
DEC. 17
Night in Bethlehem: Travel to scenes of Bethlehem in the days of Jesus’ birth. Visit the marketplace with interactive activities and crafts. See angry King Herod’s throne room and the manger. Tours begin every 15 minutes from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brandywine Community Church, 1551 E. New Road, Greenfield. Information: (317) 462-4777, brandywinechurch.org
DEC. 18
Night in Bethlehem: Travel to scenes of Bethlehem in the days of Jesus’ birth. Visit the marketplace with interactive activities and crafts. See angry King Herod’s throne room and the manger. Tours begin every 15 minutes from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brandywine Community Church, 1551 E. New Road, Greenfield. Information: (317) 462-4777, brandywinechurch.org
DEC. 19
School Advent Celebration: Third- through eighth-graders present an Advent celebration at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church and School, 6513 W. County Road 300N, New Palestine. Information: (317) 861-4210, zionnewpal.org
DEC. 21
Community Christmas Program: Performers at "Christmas by Candlelight" include musicians of Greenfield Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Greenfield Symphony Orchestra. It takes place at 7 p.m. at the church, 23 N. East St., Greenfield. A reception follows in the fellowship hall. Information: (317) 462-6348, greenfieldchristian.org
DEC. 23
Impromptu Christmas Pageant: "There are costumes, readings, very little stage direction and lots of fun for whoever wants to play along," said the Rev. Mark Havel. "No preparation is necessary, and it’s fun for all ages." It takes place at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. at Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, 3519 S. County Road 600W, New Palestine. Information: (317) 861-0977, crossofgrace.org
Children’s program: Children at Mohawk United Methodist Church present "Heaven and Nature Sing" at 9 a.m. at the church, 2045 W. County Road 400N, Greenfield. Information: (317) 326-2460, mohawkumc.com
DEC. 28
"Twelve Days of Christmas" concert: Greenfield Community Choir, St. Michael Choir and St. Michael Catholic School Choir will all perform in this concert at 7 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 519 Jefferson Blvd., Greenfield. Information: (317) 462-4240, www.stmichaelsgrfld.org
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