GALLIPOLIS — Several local churches are gearing up for performances of their annual Christmas programs this weekend.

Songs, plays and readings carry messages of inspiration and hope to those in attendance. Most themes center around redemption and the birth of Christ.

“’Tis the reason for the season,” said Cindy Graham, director of “One Incredible Moment,” this year’s Christmas program at Elizabeth Chapel Church.

According to Rev. Dr. Dave Brownfield, musical director of “The Christmas Shoes” at the First Church of the Nazarene, church programs help demonstrate a Christ-like attitude, reminding the audience of the true meaning of Christmas.

“It’s our way of presenting deep theological truths that should be thought about at Christmas time and throughout the rest of the year,” said Brownfield. “It’s a lot of fun!”

The church stage also serves as a training ground for aspiring actors and musicians.

“The country church is the cradle of music in Appalachia,” said Graham. “I think that churches in rural areas have heritage that is important to their population.”

The programs find ways to involve the community through audience participation by asking attendees to sing along with parts of the service.

“Anyone who can come to our show will get something out of it,” said Sarah Waugh, a member of the Heavenly Choir at Elizabeth Chapel Church. “This is going to be the biggest show in a long time, it will be a very meaningful play.”

This Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Vinton Baptist Church presents the drama “A Christmas Celebration” and again Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

The Christmas program at Mount Zion Church near Crown City and “The Christmas Shoes” at the First Church of the Nazarene will both begin at 7 p.m. this Saturday.

Among programs to be performed this Sunday:

“One Incredible Moment” will be 6 p.m. at Elizabeth Chapel Church.

“The Christmas Shoes” will be 10 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene.

“Born to Die” will be 7 p.m. at Triedstone Baptist Church, Fourth Avenue in Gallipolis.

“Emmanuel: A Christmas Cantata” will be 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. at New Hope Bible Baptist Church in Point Pleasant, W.Va..

The children’s Christmas musical will be 6 p.m. at Good News Baptist Church at the corner of Bulaville Pike and Georges Creek Road.

The Christmas program will be 11 a.m. at Calvary Christian Center Inc., 553 Jackson Pike.

A candlelight service and children’s production of “The Nativity” at Wilkesville Presbyterian Church.

On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Christmas programs are slated for 7 p.m. each at Northup Baptist Church and Addison Freewill Baptist Church.

Saturday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. and again Sunday, Dec. 24 at 10:30 a.m., “Jesus, There’s Something About That Name” will be staged at Cheshire Baptist Church.