Drive through the intersection of La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive in Mission Viejo this month and you’ll see more than a gas station and a Taco Bell.

In one corner, there’s a Christmas tree and a Nativity scene, plus an image of old-school Santa. In another corner there’s a display of a Koran on a pillar, with verses from that holy book. In another corner is a Baha’i display symbolizing that religion’s belief in the singularity of God. And across from that, there’s a giant menorah, which on Tuesday night was lit up for the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

It’s all part of a decades-old tradition that local residents and religious leaders have come to appreciate as a sign of the season – and of planned-community acceptance.

Each year, the city of Mission Viejo conducts a lottery to determine which faiths will get a chance to display at the coveted intersection. Applicants who don’t win can display exhibits at the Florence Joyner Olympiad Park.

But this year there were only four applicants – the Mission Viejo Christian Church, the Orange County Islamic Foundation, the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Mission Viejo and the Chabad Jewish Center of Mission Viejo. And a week before Thanksgiving, Four Corners was back in business.

For some residents, it’s a sign that the holidays are coming.

Addison Mangum, a sophomore at Mission Viejo High School, walked through the intersection Monday with a friend and said she and her family look forward to the Four Corners display every year.

“It makes me feel like everyone in the community is embraced and accepted,” she said.

Four Corners kicked off in 1967, when the Mission Viejo Co. started developing the planned community.

“It’s … evolved over the years,” said Cathy Allen, a longtime member of the Mission Viejo Activities Committee.

“All four corners are lit up. And everyone gets to participate.”

At first, there was just a Christmas Tree, the Nativity scene and Santa’s Workshop. Then, more than 30 years ago, the Jewish community joined in. The Baha’i display has been up for at least 20 years, and the Islamic exhibit for 15 years.

On Tuesday night, in a light rain, the Chabad Jewish Center of Mission Viejo celebrated the first night of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting and celebration at the corner.

Rabbi Zalman Marcus said the Four Corners intersection is significant because it makes all community members feel included.

“It is very important for minorities in a community to feel they are welcome, accepted and cherished,” he said. “It sends the message that we need to support each other and be there for each other.”

The Four Corners, Marcus added, is “not a competition, but a coming together.”

Right next to the menorah is the Baha’i exhibit, showing a map of the world with the words of the religion’s founder, Baha’u’llah: “The purpose of religion is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world.”

The city doesn’t sponsor or conduct activities at the intersection. But in 2002, the City Council established the lottery and set some ground rules.

No portable generators, live performances, loud music … or live animals. Groups must set up and take down the exhibits, keep their exhibits in good condition and replace anything that looks damaged.

In the past, a number of groups have had displays at the Four Corners – synagogues, churches, Hindu temples, the Baha’i and even atheists.

The city got involved to make it a fair and equitable process, said Community Services Director Mark Nix.

“It’s worked well so far,” he said. “Every organization seems to respect the other. The community is embracing the Four Corners; it has become a cherished annual tradition for Mission Viejo.”

Muslim leaders see it as a welcome reminder of solidarity.

“It helps us let everyone know that we’re here and we’re part of the fabric of this community,” said Muhammad Mahboob Akhter, a board member of the Orange County Islamic Foundation.

He said the lighted display, which has the open Koran placed over a column, represents the holy book’s divinity.

Despite the comity, the Four Corners exhibits have had, and continue to face, security issues.

One year, the Islamic display was sprayed with graffiti. This year, the Mary statue was stolen from the Nativity display, said Mike Maiolo, pastor of the nondenominational Mission Viejo Christian Church, which is participating for the second straight year.

But the stolen statue was replaced right away, and these isolated incidents have not embittered those who are involved, Maiolo said.

“Our church is multiethnic, multilingual and diverse,” he said. “We are all about love. It’s great that the city honors and gives everyone the opportunity to participate.”

Akhter has no negative feelings about the person who defaced their exhibit.

“Our society is made up of so many different kinds of people,“ he said. “Our goal is to being a part of the community, to give back and bring about harmony.”

“It’s great,” said Lindsay Messner of Laguna Hills. “I try to explain to my 3-year-old son what each display is and what it symbolizes. It gives us an opportunity to talk about different faiths.”

Rob Felix lives in Whittier, but he and his family moved to Mission Viejo when he was in second grade. Three or four decades ago, his family was one of only a handful of Latino families in Mission Viejo.

“I’ve always liked the idea that everyone is represented,” he said.

“When I saw the exhibits, it made me feel like I was accepted too.”

Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com