Prayer, music bring spirit of Christmas to life
Dec. 1-23
A.D. Players presents “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”: Six rowdy siblings are cast by a desperate director in a church Christmas pageant like no other. 7:30 p.m. (evenings); 2 p.m. matinees at 5420 Westheimer Road. $20-$70. www.adplayers.org.
Dec. 3
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Festival of Lessons and Carols: This service is a wonderful testament to the holiday season that celebrates the birth of our Lord. 11:15 a.m. at 717 Sage Road at Woodway. Free. stmartinsepiscopal.org. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church: Alternative Gift Market. Shop handcrafted and fair-trade gifts from around the world. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 5501 Main St. Free admission. www.stpaulshouston.org. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church: Advent Lessons and Carols and the Pinkham Christmas Cantata with dessert reception. 5 p.m. at 5501 Main St. Free. www.stpaulshouston. org.
Dec. 5
German Christmas Concert Houston Saengerbund: German Christmas Concert followed by a reception with seasonal German treats. 7:30 p.m. at 1311 Holman. Free. ww.houstonsaengerbund.org.
Dec. 6-23
A.D. Players Children’s Theatre presents “Rock Nativity”: Experience the wonder of Messiah’s birth in this ’80s rock retelling of the Christmas Story. 10:30 a.m. matinees at 5420 Westheimer Road. All tickets $20. www.adplayers.org.
Dec. 9
City of Livingston: 100-plus food and craft vendors, fun run, free carriage and wagon rides, lighted parade, large train village: Noon to 8 p.m. Downtown Livingston. Free. 936-327-3656. St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Houston Boychoir Concert: This organization of singing boys has sung with the Houston Symphony and other groups. 4 p.m. at 717 Sage Road at Woodway. Free. kthornton@stmartinsepiscopal.org. Celebrate Christmas with Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey: Awardwinning artists Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey bring their Celebrate Christmas tour to Houston. 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Houston’s First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway. Reserved seats are $10, $12 and $15. HoustonsFirst.org. Art League of Baytown “Christmas on Texas Avenue”: Holiday shopping festival plus live entertainment, food trucks, classic car show, and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Texas Avenue, Baytown. Free. artleagueofbaytown.org.
Dec. 10
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church: Sights, Sounds and Smells of Christmas. Crafts and games for families with young children. 4-6 p.m. at 5501 Main St. Free. www.stpaulshouston.org.
Dec. 14-16
Handel’s Messiah at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church: The Christ in the Arts Performance Series presents Handel’s Messiah, featuring choir, orchestra. 8 p.m. at 8300 Katy Freeway. Free. www.cepc.org.
Dec. 17
A Christmas concert of carols, more carols, and melodic beauty of Puccini: 6 p.m. at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive at Blalock. Free. Go to concerts.mdpc.org. St. Timothy’s Anglican Church: Advent Lessons and Carols. 8:45 a.m. Traditional, 11 a.m. Contemporary, at 6819 Louetta Road, Spring. Free. sttimothysanglican.org. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church: Children’s Christmas Candlelight Service. 4:30 p.m. at 5501 Main St. Free. www.stpaulshouston.org.
Dec. 20
St. John the Divine Christmas on the Boulevard: A Classic Christmas celebration, with a Live Nativity, Gala Concert, and Jazz Reception. 5 p.m. at 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Free. http://sjdchristmas.org.
Dec. 21
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church: Service of the Longest Night for those experiencing grief and loss this season. 6 p.m. at 5501 Main St. Free. www.stpaulshouston.org.
Dec. 24
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Christmas Eve Worship Services: Celebrate this holy season at one of our worship services with the Parish Choir and Gloria Dei Organ 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. at 717 Sage Road at Woodway. Free. stmartinsepiscopal.org. First Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve Services: Join us for one of our four services as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at 5300 Main St. Free. fpchouston.org/advent. Christmas Eve Worship at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church: Morning worship at 10 a.m.; Family Nativity at 5 p.m.; and Candlelight Communion at 6:30 p.m. Free. www.cepc.org. Christmas Eve at MDPC: A reverential and joyful celebration. Live music from our choir and a chamber orchestra. 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. at 11612 Memorial Drive at Blalock. Free. christmas.mdpc.org. St. John the Divine — Services for Children and Families: Kid-friendly service with communion with music led by the organ and Contemporary Band. 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. at 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Free. http://sjdchristmas.org.