From staff reports

Churches are decorating, children are practicing and choirs are warming up for the plays, pageants and concerts that will celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. A sampling of programs planned at Vicksburg churches during the next few weeks:

The Colors of Christmas

Porters Chapel United Methodist Church

200 Porters Chapel Road, 601-636-2966

The church’s hanging of the green program, The Colors of Christmas, will be at 6 p.m. Sunday. Afterward, join the congregation for a finger-food social in the fellowship hall.

The church will also present Bethlehem Drive-Through, set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Dec. 7.

Hanging of the Green, caroling and Communion

Westminster Presbyterian Church

3601 Halls Ferry Road, 601-636-4292

Church members will participate in the hanging of the green, a decoration ceremony, at 6 p.m. Friday. A family night supper with bells is planned for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Caroling will be at 3 p.m. Dec. 20, and a Christmas Eve service with Communion will be at 6 p.m.

Concert by Testify

Highland Baptist Church

3518 Halls Ferry Road, 601-636-7349

A holiday concert featuring the contemporary and Southern gospel group Testify will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 7. The church choir will also perform Christmas music during each Sunday leading up to Christmas. A Christmas Eve service will be at 5 p.m.

The Nativity From the Animals’ Perspective

Triumphant Baptist Church

Program to be held at Kings Empowerment Center

224 R. L. Chase Circle, 601-634-4756 or 634-4788

This Christmas production for the whole family will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-13. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door, available at the Empowerment Center office. For information, call 601-529-5849.

‘God’s Christmas Gift’

First Baptist Church

1607 Cherry St., 601-636-2493

This walk-through drama will be presented in the courtyard of First Baptist Church from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12-14. Contact Kevin Hurt for additional information.

‘The Christmas Post’

Hawkins United Methodist Church

3736 Halls Ferry Road, 601-636-2242

The church will perform the musical comedy, “The Christmas Post,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Admission is free.

Christmas shopping, program and candlelight service

Bovina United Methodist Church

70 Bovina Drive, 601-631-0720

On Dec. 13, a shopping day for parents is planned at Bovina, with activities to entertain children beginning at 8 a.m. The Sunday service, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14, will feature a Christmas program and brunch. The ladies’ Christmas party will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 20, and a candlelight service and refreshments will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21. For information, call Joelyn James at 601-638-7563

‘Festival of Carols,’ concert, and candlelight service

Crawford Street United Methodist Church

Crawford and Cherry streets, 601-636-5612

The church will present “Festival of Carols,” a Christmas cantata by Joseph Martin, at 10:55 a.m. Dec. 14. Directed by Kathy Mahloch, the production will include the choir singing, along with narration, soloists, children’s choir and orchestral accompaniment. At 2 p.m. Dec. 21, the church will feature a Concert in Celebration of The Nativity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, by Dr. Clarissa Davis, Dr. Mike Davis, Dr. Leon Henry Jr. and Dr. Keith Pettway. Christmas Eve candlelight Communion services will be at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

‘Merry Christmas’

Trinity Baptist Church

3365 Porters Chapel Road, 601-636-8121

Trinity Baptist’s singing Christmas tree will present this musical at 6 p.m. Dec. 20 and 4 p.m. Dec. 21.

‘Joy, Joy, Joy’

Bovina Baptist Church

5293 U.S. 80, 601-636-0682

Bovina Baptist’s adult choir will present this Christmas cantata at 6 p.m. Dec. 21.

Candlelight Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Holy Cross Anglican Church

1021 Crawford St., 601-636-0094

Based on the original format of Nine Lessons and Carols created in England in 1880, the service, at 7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve, will feature readings from the Bible which tell the story of the fall of man, the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus, interwoven with music and Christmas carols. Soloists and musicians featured in the service will be Grace Claire Cordes, Jeanne Evans and Nicholas and Julia Blake. For information, call the Rev. Mark Bleakley, rector, at 601-636-0094.

Candlelight Christmas Eve service

Christ Episcopal Church

1115 Main St., 601-638-5899

Expect the unexpected when Christ Episcopal Church celebrates the season with a candlelight Christmas Eve Mass beginning at 10:45 p.m. The service will begin with Christmas carols, include special music and end with a congregational candlelight recessional symbolizing the light of Christ being brought out into the world. For information, call 601-661-8500.