Fourteen faith-filled events designed to bring joy and spiritual meaning to the holidays
The public safety threat of COVID-19 meant that some 2020 holiday events were limited or canceled outright.
However, things are looking brighter for 2021.
Many of the popular activities hosted by faith organizations are returning.
Spiritual leaders said these outreach activities focusing on holidays like Hanukkah and Christmas attract regular synagogue or church members but also non-members from the surrounding community.
Here is a listing of some of the annual faith-based events and a few new activities for 2021. Attendees are encouraged to call ahead to find out about mask and vaccination requirements. Most events are free, unless otherwise noted.
Nov. 26
•Opening night for "The One" and the inaugural lighting of the giant "Christ Tree" at 150 W Park Ave. in downtown Enid. A new event this year, activities will kick off at 6 p.m. with the Main Street Enid Christmas Lights Parade, followed by The One Opening Night Ceremony and lighting of the "world's largest fresh-cut Christmas tree" at 6:30 p.m. The event will conclude with a holiday fireworks shows. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and bring chairs. The One, with activities to continue through Jan. 6, is designed to serve as a reminder that Jesus is the reason Christians celebrate Christmas. Information: https://www.facebook.com/TheOneEnid/.
Nov. 28.
•An Advent Festival will be 4 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 NW 15 in Oklahoma City, and St. Luke's-Edmond, 900 N Sooner Road, Edmond. Families may create Christmas decorations, enjoy cocoa and Christmas goodies, plus Christmas carols. Information: https://stlukesokc.org/.
•Scissortail Lights menorah lighting event will be 5 p.m. at Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7 in downtown Oklahoma City. Hosted by Chabad Community Center for Jewish Life and Faith, the Hanukkah celebration will include traditional treats, a fire and light show and music by Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road. Information: 405-286-0900; jewishokc.com/chanukahokc.
Dec. 2
•A Car Menorah Parade celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah will begin at 6 p.m. at Chabad Community Center for Jewish Life and Learning, 3000 W Hefner Road, and end about 7 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark for a menorah lighting.
•Christmas Caroling will be 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23 at the Heartland Chapel on the grounds of First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, 131 NW 44. The chapel is near Robinson Avenue and NW 5, across from the east gate of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.
Dec. 3-5
•Boys Ranch Town Drive-Thru Christmas Pageant will be 7 to 9 p.m. at Boys Ranch Town, 5100 E 33rd Street in Edmond. A perennial favorite in the community, the event includes a living Nativity and other scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. Information: 405-341-3606; https://www.obhc.org/about/campuses/brt/events/brt-christmas-pageant/.
Dec. 5
•"The Real Christmas Story" will be 4 to 6 p.m. at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N Portland. Geared for families with children from infancy through sixth grade, the event will feature hot chocolate, donuts and crafts, plus a live Nativity play will be performed at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Children are encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas. Information: https://christmas.crossings.church/events/61.
•Canterbury Voices will perform Handel's "Messiah" at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201N Walker. Canterbury Voices will join with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic to bring the beloved holiday event to the community. Tickets will need to be purchased to attend. Information: 405-232-7464; https://www.okcciviccenter.com/.
•Temple B'nai Israel will host a Hanukkah Fest for the Jewish community from 3 to 6 p.m. at 4901 N Pennsylvania. The event will include potato latkes, crafts and entertainment. Information: https://thetempleokc.shulcloud.com/.
•Breakfast with St. Nick will be 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church, 2001 N Western in Edmond. Hosted by St. Monica's Knights of Columbus group, the annual free breakfast for children and their families will include a visit with St. Nicholas. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras: Information: 405-359-2700; https://www.stmonica-edmond.org/news.
Dec. 10-12
•"A Walk Through Bethlehem," an interactive re-enactment of the streets of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth, will be 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 11, and 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at United Methodist Church of the Servant, 14343 N MacArthur. The event is designed for people of all ages. Information: https://servantokc.org/.
Dec. 11
•Oklahoma City Dream Center's Christmas in the Hood Block Party will begin at noon at 2212 SW 55. Activities, generally designed for families living in neighborhoods surrounding the center, will feature food, games, inflatables, and free Christmas gifts for youths 14 and younger. Families must reserve a time slot to attend. Information: 405-634-2615; www.dcokc.org.
•Christmas at The Cube Community Night and Concert, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a concert at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary of Council Road Baptist Church, 2900 N Council, Bethany. Activities will include inflatables, vintage photo booth and a petting zoo. Information: https://www.councilroad.church/.
Dec. 16-24
•Las Posadas, a religious festival traditionally held in Mexico and parts of Latin America, is also observed at many Catholic churches in Oklahoma. Some Protestant houses of worship and Christian schools also observe the tradition. For several nights preceding Christmas, parishioners gather for Las Posadas, which is a re-enactment of part of the biblical story of Jesus' birth. The re-enactment features parishioners portraying Mary and Joseph and imitating the couple's search for a "room in the inn" more than 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Fourteen faith-filled events designed to bring joy to the holidays
