Trinity first-grade and third-grade students listen as Sam Jones reads them Christmas stories Wednesday at Sunnyside. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Sam Jones laughs with Trinity first grade and third grade students while singing Christmas songs Wednesday at Sunnyside. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Sam Jones sits with Trinity first grade and third grade students while reading them Christmas stories Wednesday at Sunnyside. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Trinity first grader, Jerry Roberts, 6, listens as Sam Jones reads Christmas stories Wednesday at Sunnyside. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

From left, Trinity third graders, Cali Carter, 8, Abby Crace, 9, Kenadie Calvit, 8, and CJ Ferguson, 9, look over the new books they received Wednesday at Sunnyside. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Trinity first grader, Ryn Porter, 6, enjoys a cookie while wearing a tiara at Sunnyside Wednesday in Nathcez. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Trinity first grader, Peyton Bradford, 6, sits next to third graders, Senette Griffin, 8, and Julia O’Briant and Leala Reed, 8, while Sam Jones reads them Christmas stories Wednesday at Sunnyside. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

The Zion Chapel AME Choir rehearses together Wednesday before Friday’s Christmas recital. The choir will present their concert 7 p.m. Friday. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Ernest Tony Fields IV sings in the Zion Chapel AME choir Wednesday in preparation for their Christmas recital that on Friday. The choir will present their concert 7 p.m. Friday. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Mike Youngblood performs a solo during the Zion Chapel AME Choir rehearsal Wednesday in preparation for their Friday Christmas recital. The choir will present their concert 7 p.m. Friday. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Tony Fields directs the Zion Chapel AME choir Wednesday in preparation for their Christmas recital on Friday. The choir will present their concert 7 p.m. Friday. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

VaLena DuBose sings in the Zion Chapel AME Choir rehearsal Wednesday in preparation for their Friday Christmas recital. The choir will present their concert 7 p.m. Friday. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

Norma West performs a solo during the Zion Chapel AME Choir rehearsal Wednesday in preparation for their Friday Christmas recital. The choir will present their concert 7 p.m. Friday. (Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)