Living Nativity -- Grace Lutheran Church presents six performances of a living Nativity, including live animals; 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 5), 6:30 and 7:30 (Spanish) p.m. Saturday, and 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; 643 W. 13th Ave., Escondido; free admission, wtih coffee and baked goods for sale after each performance; (760) 745-0831 or gracelutheranescondido.org.

Contemplative rosary -- San Rafael Catholic Church is hosting a contemplative rosary, with the "Joyful Mysteries," sung by the parish choir; 7 p.m. Friday (Dec. 5); 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo; free; (858) 487-4314 or sanrafaelparish.org.

Healing mission scheduled -- The Anglican Church of the Resurrection is hosting a healing mission, "The Spirit Comes in Power," led by the Rev. Josh Acton, rector of Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Yuma, Ariz., and director of Desert Call Healing Ministries; the two-day program begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 5) and continues at 8:30 a.m. Saturday; 135 Vallecitos de Oro, Suite F., San Marcos; $40 per person; (760) 471-5205 or resurrectionsanmarcos.org.

Benedictus Breakfast -- A ministry to Catholic men, with guest speaker John Tolbin; 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday; Canyon Grille Restaurant, Welk Resort, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido; (760) 451-0830.

Foundational healing program -- Aglow International of North County will present Pastor Chris Clarke, who will speak on the topic of "Foundational Healing: A Mother's Blessing" at the December meeting; 10 a.m. Saturday; Hope United Methodist Church, 16550 Bernardo Heights Parkway, Rancho Bernardo; $6.50, includes brunch; (858) 945-8668.

Christmas Train and Town Square Village -- Escondido Christian Center is hosting an outdoor Christmas village based on Currier and Ives' artwork; 5-8:30 p.m. Saturday-Monday; 927 Idaho Ave., Escondido; free; (760) 745-0505 or escondidochristiancenter.com.

Alternative Gift Fair -- St. Peter's Catholic Church is hosting an Alternative Gift Fair, with handmade art, clothing, gifts, food and donations to charity; 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-7 p.m. Sunday; 450 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook; free to attend; (760) 728-7034.

Spirit of Christmas Fair -- First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside is hosting an outreach gathering of mission and other Christian organizations where the public can learn how to support these efforts in place of spending money on consumer goods; 9-11:30 a.m. Sunday; 2001 El Camino Real, Oceanside; (760) 757-3560.

Messiah singalong -- St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church is hosting a singalong of Handel's "Messiah," with more than 110 singers, including the St. Bartholomew's Coventry Choir and choirs from San Rafael Catholic Church, Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation and more; 4 p.m. Sunday; 16275 Pomerado Road, Poway; $10, includes post-performance reception; (858) 487-2159 or stbartschurch.org.

Bethlehem Village -- First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside is sharing the experiece of the first Christmas with a concert by the children's choir, a performance of Lamb's Players' "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and then a dinner, crafts and activities in a re-creation of Bethlehem; 4 p.m. Sunday; 2001 El Camino Real, Oceanside; $5 per family; (760) 757-3560 or fpcoceanside.org.

"Celebration of Memories" -- Emmanuel Faith Community Church is hosting a "Celebration of Memories" service to reflect on loved ones, with special music, poetry and a message of hope; participants are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved ones to be placed in front of the chapel during the service (photos will be returned); 4 p.m. Sunday; 639 E. Felicita Ave., Escondido; free-will collection; (760) 745-2541 or efcc.org.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- St. Peter's Catholic Church is hosting an all-day celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12; 4:30 a.m. mananitas, 5:45 a.m. prayer service followedby breakfast, 6 p.m. Mass, followed by a play; 450 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook; free to attend, small charge to purchase food and beverages; (760) 728-7034.

Women's auxiliary to meet -- Forest Home Women's Auxiliary Chapter 31 is meeting for Bible study (Isaiah 49) followed by brunch and gift exchange; 9:30 a.m. Dec. 12; Mission Hills Community Church, 400 Mission Court, San Marcos; free, but please bring a potluck item to share at brunch; (760) 745-3969.

Advent retreat at Mission San Luis Rey -- Brother Mark Schroeder will lead a three-day retreat focused on "The Gift of Peace" to help deepen awareness of the Incarnation; the retreat starts at 4 p.m. Dec. 12 and runs through lunch Dec. 14; 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside; $100-$220, depending on accommodations; (760) 757-3659 or sanluisrey.org.

Rock'n Shabbat Hannukah service -- Congregation Beth Am is inviting the community to attend its Hannukah celebration at its twice-monthly Rock'n Shabbat service; 7 p.m. Dec. 12, followed by dinner; 5050 Del Mar Heights Road, Carmel Valley; service is free, dinner is $18 for adults, $6 for children 5-12 ; reserve for dinner by Monday; (858) 481-8454 or betham.com.

Messiah singalong -- The University of San Diego is hosting a Messiah singalong with the USD Symphony Orchestra; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; Founders Chapel, Founders Hall, University of San Diego; free-will donation at the door; (619) 260-4171.

Bethlehem Walk -- First United Methodist Church of Escondido is hosting a re-creation of biblical Bethlehem, with congregation members from more than a dozen North County churches combining forces to portray the people of the village; 5:30-9 p.m., Dec. 12, 4:30-9 p.m. Dec. 13, and 4-8 p.m. Dec. 14; 341 S. Kalmia St., Escondido; free, but those with reservations given priority; (760) 745-5100 or bethlehemwalk@fumcesc.com.

Bethlehem Village -- North City Presbyterian Church is hosting Bethlehem Village, a re-creation of the birth of Jesus; 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13; 11717 Poway Road, Poway; free; (858) 748-4642 or northcitychurch.com.

"Navidad en el Barrio" -- Palomar Heights Church is hosting a three-day Latino-themed Christmas celebration, with games, prizes, face-painting and other family activities, plus a Christmas concert in Spanish; movie with popcorn and drinks, 6 p.m. Dec. 12; concert with doughnuts and drinks, 5:30 pm. Dec. 13; holiday festival with game booths and activities, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 14; 970 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos; free; (760) 752-7895 or palomarheights.com.

Ornament workshop -- The Church at Rancho Bernardo is holding a Christmas ornament workshop for women and children -- children must be accompanied by an adult to participate; 10 a.m. Dec. 13; 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court, Rancho Bernardo; $15 for adults, $5 for children before Dec. 7; $20 for adults after Dec. 7 (children's price won't change); (858) 592-2434 or thechurchatrb.org.

"The Christmas Story" -- Composer Randy Craig premieres his musical based on the account of the birth of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14; Stonebrooke Church, 145 Hannalei Drive, Vista; free; (760) 726-1564 or stonebrookechurch.com.

"Angels Rejoice" -- Bethlehem Lutheran Church is presenting a Christmas program of carols and holiday songs, performed by the handbell choir, teen rock ensemble, and children's and adult choirs; 4 p.m. Dec. 14; 925 Balour Drive, Encinitas; free-will collection; (760) 753-1026.

Annual Christmas concert -- San Rafael Catholic Church is hosting its annual parish Christmas concert, performed by the church's combined choirs and handbell choir.; 4 p.m. Dec. 14; 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo; free; (858) 487-4314 or sanrafaelparish.org.

Christmas Vespers -- San Dieguito United Methodist Church is hosting a Christmas Vespers concert featuring Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols"; 4 p.m. Dec. 14; 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas; free-will collection; (760) 753-6582 or sdumc.org.

Hanukkah singalong -- Congregation Beth Am is hosting a Hanukkah singalong with the Beth Am choirs; 6 p.m. Dec. 14; 5050 Del Mar Heights Road, Carmel Valley; free; (858) 481-8454.

"A Festival of Lessons and Carols" -- St. Michael's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church is presenting an evening of Christmas music with the St. Michael's Choir and Bell Choir; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14; 2775 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad; free; (760) 729-8901 or stmichaelsbythesea.org..

Ecumenical Christmas program -- "Christmas Singing, Christmas Ringing" will be presented by the Campanile Ringers of Clairemont Lutheran Church and the combined adult and youth choirs of the Poway Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 7 p.m. Dec. 14; Poway Stake Center, 15750 Bernardo Heights Parkway, Rancho Bernardo; free; call Toni Thomas at (858) 748-4681.

Christmas show in Fallbrook -- The Fallbrook Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is presenting its annual Tri-Ward Christmas Musical Fireside; this year's theme is "Journey to Bethlehem," with various choral numbers performed and a reception with hors d'oeuvres and desserts; 7 p.m. Dec. 14; 621 Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook; free; (760) 728-4244.

Christmas concert -- The Resurrection Choir will perform a concert of Christmas music, with a singalong; First Christian Church, 503 W. Heald St., Lake Elsinore; free-will collection; (951) 674-2758.