From staff report

With Christmas just two weeks away, Pine Belt churches are offering a number of programs and activities leading up to the big day.

Willow Pointe Church in Oak Grove will present its first drive-thru live nativity from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 19-20. Admission is free.

The popular Walt Disney movie "Frozen" will be incorporated into the "A Timeless Christmas," live nativity, with a winter wonderland theme in the front. As cars loop through the church campus, they will be invited back in time to the first Christmas.

"We have been talking about this for a couple of years and decided this year was the time to do it," said Jim Burnett, pastor of Willow Pointe.

While it might seem surprising for a church to use a secular animated musical like "Frozen" as part of a nativity, Burnett said the movie's themes fit in well with the Christian story.

"We are using 'Frozen' because of its popularity with kids today and because of the sacrificial correlations that exist between characters in 'Frozen' and the sacrifice God made in sending Jesus His Son to earth to die on a cross," he said. "Specifically, some pretty neat moral lessons to be learned from this movie. One of those lessons has to do with sacrifice. Remember Elsa sacrificing her own happiness in order to keep Anna safe? And how about Anna being willing to give up her own life for her sister? And don't forget, even Olaf, the snowman, helps Anna, Kristoff and Elsa figure out how to end the perpetual winter, even if it means the warmer temperatures will end his life.

"The characters in 'Frozen' remind us of the greater sacrifice, that of God sending Jesus, His perfect and only Son, all the way from heaven to earth to die on a cross so that our sins could be paid for and done away with. But first God sent Jesus in the form of a baby to show us personally how deep and radical His love was for humanity."

Burnett said guests will be given a CD narrating and guiding them through the entire experience.

"The first scene our guests will see is a winter wonderland full of snow fairies, the Disney movie 'Frozen,' playing on the big screen outside, families decorating trees, ice skaters and carolers. Then, as they proceed around the loop, they will be invited to travel back in time with us to the first Christmas. They will see scenes of the angel birth announcement to the shepherds, the live nativity with real animals, and the Wise Men from the East, coming to see the Christ child."

Burnett said the live nativity is a gift from his congregation to the community.

"We hope that large numbers of people will come from the community and surrounding area to celebrate with us the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ," he said.

The Promise

Oak Grove United Methodist Church will present two original plays on Dec. 17 in the sanctuary.

Oak Grove's children will perform a play written and directed by Ame' Karoly and Erin Burks, director of Children's Ministry, following the Wednesday night supper from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

The church's drama troupe will then perform "The Promise," taken from the biblical account of Christ's birth written by the Apostle Luke and adapted for stage by B.J. Mathias and River Mathias. Music will be performed by Riley Barber, Hagan Barber, Chris Barber, Stephanie Gall and Margie Farlow.

"It only takes a few moments to share the greatest story that was ever told," B.J. Mathias said of the 20-minute play.

If you go

•Willow Pointe Church, 7 Canaan Lane (off Miss. 589), (601) 296-0555, www.willowpointehattiesburg.com

•Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 4915 Old Highway 11, (601) 264-8850, www.ogumc.com