Concerts, nativities at area churches

As we head into the Christmas holidays, area churches invite us to celebrate the Christ Child, the reason for this holy season, with a wide variety of special events.

There's something for everyone here.

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free to the public, though a free will offering is requested at some.

Living nativities

• Sunday, Dec. 20, 4 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 11008 N. Church St., Huntley. High school and junior high youth re-enact the Christmas story outdoors with live farm animals, and you can sing along to your favorite carols and enjoy light refreshments. The stable closes at 5:30 p.m. or earlier, depending on attendance and weather.

• Sunday, Dec. 20, 4 to 7 p.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church, corner of Highland Avenue and Randall Road, Elgin. Costumed actors and live barnyard animals retell the Christmas story every half-hour. A freewill-offering spaghetti dinner is available inside, and kids can make ornaments, get their photos taken and help fill stockings with toiletries for the Elgin PADS shelter.

Bethlehem marketplaces

• Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Christ United Methodist Church, 9009 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin. Come see how people lived in Jesus' time, from beggars to Roman soldiers, tax collectors to the Magi. A live nativity will be staged, and children can participate in jewelry making, rope braiding, weaving, bread baking, leather projects and more.

• Saturday, Dec. 12, 2:30 to 7 p.m., at Faith Community Church, 10547 Faiths Way, Huntley. At "A Night in Bethlehem," the church will be transformed into a Middle Eastern marketplace, with a toy shop, rope and sandal making shops, spice store and bakery. A live nativity and traditional Jewish home will be portrayed, and craft projects will be available for children.

Especially for kids

• Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, corner of Nesler Road and Route 20, Elgin. A birthday party for Jesus features a screening of the new Veggie Tales movie "Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving." All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and registration is suggested by calling (847) 697-4745.

• Saturday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, 2:30 p.m., at Elgin Bible Church, 1580 E. Chicago St. The award-winning HANDS 4 HIM puppet team presents "Lukeys in Kalamazookey!" about how the "Lukeys" lose their beautiful, colored spots.

Concerts and cantatas

• Saturday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m., at First Congregational Church of Dundee, 900 S. 8th St., West Dundee. "We Wish You Christmas," in conjunction with Dickens in Dundee, features musical groups and individuals singing, ringing bells and playing sacred and secular songs. A dessert reception follows; the suggested freewill offering for the concert and reception is $10 per person for charity.

• Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m., at Church in the Word, 430 Airport Road, Elgin. The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher, a blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and pastor, will share his story and perform songs from his newly-released album, "Man! It's Christmas."

• Sunday, Dec. 6, 3 p.m., at St. James Episcopal Church, corner of 6th and Washington streets, West Dundee. Christmas Carol Sing, a Dickens in Dundee event, will be led by a choir of singers from area churches. The concert includes handbells, brass and other instrumental music and will be followed by a reception.

•Friday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church, 115 N. Spring St., Elgin. The 25-member Men's Choir from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., will lead an Advent Evening Prayer program, a traditional service of light, psalmody, hymns, readings and prayer.

• Sunday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m., at Elgin Evangelical Free Church, 1900 Big Timber Rd. The adult choir and a 14-piece chamber ensemble, many of whom are professional musicians, present the musical "Only Love."

• Sunday, Dec. 13, 11:30 a.m., at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The Fellowship Choir will perform a Christmas cantata, "The Nativity." A brunch and basket raffle precede the concert at 10:30 a.m.

• Saturday, Dec. 19, 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 20, 9 and 11 a.m., at Springbrook Community Church, 10115 Algonquin Road, Huntley. A special Christmas presentation features music written by recording artist Todd Agnew from the perspective of eyewitnesses to the birth of Christ.

• Sunday, Dec. 20, 10:30 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. The Chancel Choir will present the cantata "Noel: Night of Everlasting Love," which has been performed at Disney's Epcot theme park during the Christmas season.

Lessons and Carols

• Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 11008 N. Church St., Huntley. A traditional Lessons and Carols worship service will be led by the vocal and bell choirs and will be followed by a special Advent brunch.

• Sunday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m., at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 297 E. Jefferson Ave., Hampshire. The traditional Lessons and Carols program, alternating Scripture readings with song, will be led by the adult choir, contemporary praise team and the Bethlehem Brass, a community ensemble.

Musical dramas

• Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m., at Church in the Word, 430 Airport Road, Elgin. The kids' choir stages "Angel Alert," a story about the heavenly messengers as they wait for the call to announce the Savior's birth. Cake and punch follow the service.

• Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m., at Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St. "The Drowsy Shepherd" is an amusing musical about a young shepherd boy who sleeps through the birth of Jesus.

• Saturday, Dec. 19, 5 p.m., at Cosman Cultural Arts Center, 12015 Mill St., Huntley. Westlake Community Church presents "No Wonder!" This is a musical story about a group of kids who discover the amazing things that can happen when "the church" leaves the building. Admission is a nonperishable food item for the M.O.R.E. and Grafton food pantries.

Blue Christmas

• Saturday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 11008 N. Church St., Huntley. Anyone who is experiencing grief, regardless of denominational ties, is invited to remember and honor loved ones during a special Service of Remembrance. Light refreshments will follow.

• Sunday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m., at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. The church will offer a "Blue Christmas" service for people who find the holidays difficult due to the loss of a loved one, a change in employment or other challenges. Focusing on the joy of Christmas in a sensitive way, this is a quiet service with readings and music, candlelight and time for reflection.