By Morgan Mizell

NATCHEZ — The Christmas spirit is alive and well in the Miss-Lou, and several area churches have made plans for programs and events to help spread the joy of Christmas.

Grace United Methodist Church and St. Mary Basilica in Natchez will both host a “Breakfast with Santa” event today.

The youth of St. Mary will begin their event at 8:30 a.m., and Grace UMC’s event is set for 9 a.m.

At St. Mary, children will have an opportunity to present Santa with their Christmas wish list as well as have a photo taken, either by a family member or professionally. There is an additional fee for the photo. The cost of the event is $6 per ticket.

On Sunday, a concert is scheduled at First Presbyterian Church during its regular service time.

The church will present “Jesus, Light of the World” featuring the adult choir, accompanied by a small orchestra under the direction of Jim Franklin. The event will also feature guest singers and musicians as well as the FPC hand-bell choir. The children’s choir will also perform in a separate part of the program titled, “Little Yeshua.”

At 6 p.m. the children’s choir of ChristLife Church at the River will perform Christmas music and Ballet Magnificat! will perform. The event is free and open to the public.

On Dec. 9, a joyful noise will be made within the walls of Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church as members of the church take part in the annual Christmas concert starting at 7 p.m.

Several churches are set to host Christmas events on Dec. 11, including Abundant Life Church, Sunnyside Church, Natchez Church of God, St. Mary Basilica and First Baptist Church.

Abundant Life Church will have special music and dance during their regular service time followed by a Christmas meal. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and all in the community are invited to attend. The church will also host other special events every Sunday in December beginning Sunday with a dramatic reading during their regular service.

A 3 p.m. service at St. Mary Basilica titled “Lessons and Carols,” will offer a traditional Christmas service of song and scripture.

Parishioner Diana Brewer Martello has attended several of the holiday services and says she has enjoyed many special moments for her through the years.

“I think the coming together of various voices, young and old, and many in between as well as the various styles of music is interesting,” Martello said. “It really sets the tone of what Christmas should be.”

A reception will follow the service in the Father David O’Connor Family Life Center.

Sunnyside Church will host a community-wide program inside Delta Charter School gymnasium at 5 p.m. The program, “Keeping Christ in X-Mas,” will feature an adult and youth/children’s play, a sit-down meal as well as door prizes and a drawing for a bike. The meal and program are free and open to the public.

Both First Baptist Church in Natchez and Natchez Church of God are scheduled to host events at 6 p.m.

FBC will host a Christmas program titled “More Than Wonderful.” The program, similar to past programs, will offer elements of orchestra, ballet, narration and familiar roles of angels, wise men, shepherds, along with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

Natchez Church of God will host a Christmas musical program titled “Come See the Lamb.” The production is a full-length, dramatic musical chronicling two generations of a Bethlehem shepherd’s family and their interactions with Jesus from cradle to cross.

The program will be performed by the adult sanctuary choir along with Define Youth Ministries and Kidz Kingdom. Admission is free and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Angela Monehan, wife of the Rev. Brian Monehan, will direct the musical aspects of the program, while Kristle Messer, who works with youth of the church, will direct the drama.

“I think it is going to be wonderful,” Monehan said. “I believe this will be one of the greatest Christmas musicals I’ve ever been a part of.”

Community Chapel Church of God will host a Christmas program at 6 p.m. Dec. 18 with refreshments to follow. The program will feature Christmas songs and a reading of the Christmas Story as well as an appearance by Santa himself.

After the program, children will have a chance for photos and candy canes with Santa.