Three area churches, one on the south side of the city and two on the north side, are planning outdoor presentations of the Christmas story.

For the eighth year, Christus Victor Lutheran on N.C. 54 will have "A Living Nativity" as a gift to the community. On the north side, Christian Assembly and Iglesia Evangelica will present their "Drive-Thru Christmas" for the sixth year.

Planning began early in October at Christus Victor for the one-night event set for Saturday, Dec. 13, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. regardless of the weather.

"The reason for the season is the birth of the Baby Jesus," said Joleen Propst, one of the planners. "You can receive this gift of joy by driving through our parking lot at Christus Victor on this special night."

The outdoor presentation includes six scenes filled with costumed characters and live animals. Hundreds of luminaries will mark the path along the way.

There is no charge and no limit to the number of times visitors can drive or walk through. The church is located about half a mile west of the N.C. 54/55 intersection.

Linda Harford at Christian Assembly said her church and Iglesia Evangelica, a sister church, are always looking for opportunities to explain to the community what they love about Jesus Christ.

"The circumstances of Jesus' birth present an amazing story," she said. "One time after driving through with her family, a little girl was so overwhelmed with love for Jesus that her parents let her get out of the car at the last scene. She gave the actor playing the adult Jesus a big hug. That little incident helps me remember that the story of Jesus is delightful and full of hope."

The Drive-Thru Christmas will be presented each day Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 10-13, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Christian Assembly, 5516 N. Roxboro Rd.

The event requires 60 volunteers each night, including two rotations of actors as well as support personnel.

Actors take 30-minute shifts, and two rotations of actors are required for each night because of fatigue and the cold, said Harford, whose co-director is Pam Karriker.

"This year we had so many volunteers that we had to schedule each person for fewer nights than requested so all could participate," Harford said.

The drive-thru has attracted about 800 spectators in past years.

The event is free and open to the public. A free CD or tape is provided and is available in both Spanish and English.

N.C. Central Christian group to host gala

United Christian Campus Ministry at N.C. Central University will host its annual See and Taste Gala on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the LeRoy T. Walker Complex on the campus.

Among the guest area chefs who will prepare culinary delights are Steve Chalmers with his special bread pudding and Fred White with his banana pudding. Also, "Mama Dip" will be there with treats from her popular restaurant in Chapel Hill, along with the chef from B&V Catering and chef Lesley Love of Famous Creations.

Bobby Hinton, a renown blues singer in Durham, will provide musical entertainment, and a vendor selling African attire will be an added attraction. Tickets are available for $15, and a reserved table for 10 is available for $150. Call (919) 530-6380 for tickets or for more information.

Series looks at link between spirit, health

The Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University Medical Center offers monthly seminars during which speakers explore links among spirituality, theology and health.

The upcoming seminar on Wednesday, Dec. 4, will be led by Heather Curtis, an assistant professor at Tufts University. Her topic is "Faith in the Great Physician: Spirituality, Theology and Health in the History of America."

The event from noon to 1:30 p.m. is free and open to the public. Lunch is provided, but registration is requested by Dec. 1. To register, e-mail elizabeth.alford@duke.edu. The center's phone number is (919) 660-7556.

The seminar will be held in the Medical Center Board Room 1170B in Duke Clinic (South), yellow zone. Parking in the garage across the street is $1.

Nonviolence group puts on community luncheon

The Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham will hold a community luncheon roundtable on Thursday, Dec. 11, from noon to 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall at the Shepherds House United Methodist Church, 107 N. Driver St. Wanda Boone will make a presentation about Durham TRY, a local alcohol and drug-free community coalition formed to reduce substance abuse among adolescents and adults.

Book presents life's ills through a biblical prism

"Shadows Among Us," a new book by Robin M. Bertram, a Hillsborough writer, provides biblical answers to questions pertaining to fear, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.

Bertram is the founder and president of Covenant Renewal Ministries, an active member of the International Society of Deliverance Ministers and has worked for Francis MacNutt as director of Prayer Ministry. She hosts "Transformed: From Grace to Glory" women's conferences in cities across the country.

Her book guides readers through principles of healing in the body, soul and spirit as reflected in the life of Christ. It is published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises and is available in area bookstores.