There is no shortage of holiday fare this season.

Here's a listing of special holiday-related public events being held by area churches and religious organizations:

Sunday through Dec. 4

* Christmas on the Hill, St. Benedict Center, four miles north of Schuyler on Nebraska 15. Annual craft show opens at 2 p.m. Sunday. The show is open daily through Dec. 13. Hours are 2 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. On select days a buffet lunch will be available. Free admission. Info:(402) 352-8819.

* Holiday Cookie Fest, Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M. St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Walk down the line and choose your holiday goodies. Cost: $8 per box. Vegetable soup and chicken salad sandwich lunch served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $5. Around noon John Friesen will perform "The Nutcracker Suite" on the organ.

* "Behold the Lamb of God," Christmas concert, Lincoln Berean Church, 6400 S. 70th St., 7 p.m. Friday. Created 10 years ago by singer, songwriter and author Andrew Peterson, this musical rendition of the Christmas story will include guests Brandon Heath, Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken. Tickets are $10 and $15. Call 483-6512. 

Dec. 5-11

* Paradefest at First Christian Church, 430 S. 16th St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5. Hot lunch, bake sale, funnel cakes, kids fun fair, silent auction until 1:30 p.m., and fireside family photos taken. Free hot chocolate; free admission.

* Christmas at Concordia, St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Concerts at 3 p.m. Dec. 5 and 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6. More than 200 student musicians are involved in the event, which includes the University Symphonic Band, Concordia Handbell Choir, Concordia Singers, the Brass Ensemble, organist Jeffrey Blersch and student soloists.  Scripture readings will be woven together with Christmas music from around the world. Concerts are free, but tickets are required because of limited space. A holiday buffet dinner will be served both days at the Janzow Campus Center from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5 and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Cost of the buffet, which includes reservations for the concert, are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children ages 4 to 12. Reserve online at www.cune.edu/CaCpayment.

* "The Simple Man," Christmas Pageant, St. Benedict Center, north of Schuyler. Performances are at 5 and 7 p.m.  Dec. 5. The play will be performed in the outdoor amphitheater, or indoors in case of inclement weather. Schuyler Life Teen members act out this story about the Christmas message. A reception featuring holiday treats will follow. Admission is $3 for adults; $1 for children. Info: (402) 352-8819.

* First-Plymouth Advent Workshop, First-Plymouth Congregational Church, 20th and D streets, 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 6. For children and their parents. Free. Call 476-7565 or e-mail kathie@firstplymouth.org.

* Journey to the Manger, Concordia University, Seward, 7 p.m. Dec. 8. The single starting time is a change from previous years. Participants will gather at Weller Hall and travel as one group through campus. At different stations along the route, Concordia students will share prophecies about the birth of the Messiah and portray characters from the Old and New Testaments. The route will end at the outdoor chapel, where the manger will be. Free.

* Bethlehem Skyline Tour, Messiah Lutheran Church, 1800 S. 84th St., 6:30 p.m.  Dec. 10. The second annual Christmas tour offering a blend of Christmas classics and original compositions features Centricity artists Downhere, Jason Gray and Lanae Hale. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 489-3024. 

* Drawn to the Light: A Living Nativity, Holy Savior Lutheran Church, 10th and Superior streets,  6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11. Free shuttle provided for people who park at Goodrich Middle School. The church is transformed into ancient Bethlehem, allowing visitors to walk the path of Mary and Joseph on their way to the manger. Free.

* Christmas on 84th Street, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 11 and 12; and 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Annual event is a collaboration of Faith Bible, First Evangelical Free and New Covenant Community churches.

First Evangelical Free Church, 3300 S. 84th St., becomes ancient Bethlehem with animals, villagers, merchants, Roman soldiers and tax collectors. Visitors will walk through the "streets" until they come upon the baby in the manger.

At New Covenant Community Church, 6000 S. 84th St., visitors will be treated to Handel's  "Messiah" (6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11; 3 and 4 p.m. Dec. 13)  as performed by choral members from all three churches. On alternating nights, the stage production “Imagine Christmas" (6:30, 7:20 and 8:05 p.m. Dec. 10 and 12) will be presented. The production tells the story of Christ’s birth through contemporary dance, music and art. Visitors also can buy items from Gifts with a Mission. Those gifts will then be donated to people served by the Good Neighbor Center, Lincoln Crisis Pregnancy Center, Fresh Start and Young Lives.

Dec. 12-18

* "The Christmas Story,"  Trinity United Methodist Church, 1345 S. 16th St., Dec. 13. Children will present the program at 9:30 a.m.; a birthday party for Jesus follows from 10 to 10:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., children will sing during the worship service.

* Piano Healing Songs at Christmas, St. Benedict Center, near Schuyler, 3 p.m. Dec. 13. The concert is presented by Ron Noecker, who served in the Archdiocese of Omaha for 18 years and is now an oncology nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Using stories of his experiences and reflective songs, Noecker’s concert is designed to provide healing in the midst of changing times. Free.

* Holiday Handbell Concert,  First Christian Church, 430 S. 16th St., 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Concert features handbell choirs from First Christian and Grace Lutheran churches.

* Christmas Extravaganza, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 84th Street and Pioneers Blvd; 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Christmas program featuring a living nativity and performances by High-Five Puppet Team, the children’s and adult’s choirs, and junior and adult bell choirs. Cookies and cider will follow the program. Free. Info: 489-8885.

* Outdoor Living Nativity Scene, Southern Heights Presbyterian Church, 5750 S. 40th St.; 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17.  Congregation volunteers portray characters of the Christmas story at this drive-through outdoor living nativity. Free.

Dec. 19-25

* "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room," First-Plymouth United Church of Christ, 20th and D streets; 4 p.m. Dec. 20. Concert features the Abendmusik  Chorus and the Plymouth Brass.  Admission is $20 for adults; $15 for seniors (ages 62 and older); $10 for students.  476-9933.