For the second year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will offer free daily tours of its decorated Visitors' Center in Lä'ie.

The "In Celebration of Christmas" display features 19 Christmas trees decorated around Biblical Christmas themes, poinsettias and background Christmas music.

Visitors are invited to stroll through the center from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The center is at 55-600 Naniloa Loop, next to the Lä'ie Mormon Temple.

The display and tours will be offered through Jan. 1.

For more information, call 293-9297.

LIVE NATIVITY SCENES AT 2 O'AHU CHURCHES

Two live Christmas re-creations of Jesus' birth — including a drive-through version — are planned:

• A "Christmas in Kailua: Live Nativity Scene," featuring live stable animals, a choir, hula, angels, wisemen and a baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, will be presented at 6 and 7:15 p.m. Dec. 20 at Faith Baptist Church in Kailua.

For more information, call 261-7971.

• Central Union Church will stage its annual live "drive-through" Nativity scene from 6 to 8 p.m. next Saturday at the church.

The entry will be from its South Beretania Street driveway, through to the Punahou Street exit. Cameras are welcome.

For more information, call 941-0957.

CENTRAL UNION PRESENTS 'MESSIAH'

Central Union Church will hold its 62nd presentation of Handel's "Messiah" at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the main sanctuary. The performance will feature the church's Oratorio Choir, accompanied by the Chamber Ensemble.

It is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be collected.

For information, call 941-0957.

FESTIVITIES CELEBRATE START OF HANUKKAH

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, will be observed with several local events.

This year, the eight-day observance begins with the lighting of the first candle on the menorah at sundown Friday.

• Hawai'i Jewish Seniors will host a Hanukkah luncheon at 11 a.m. Thursday at Temple Emanu-El on Pali Highway.

The luncheon will feature holiday melodies sung by the temple's preschool children, as well as selections by cantorial leader Ken Aronowitz.

The celebration is free for temple members; there is a $10 fee for visitors. For reservations, call Richard Field, 595-7521.

• In observance of Chabad of Hawaii's 23rd annual Hanukkah celebration, on Dec. 17 the group will sponsor a "Car Menorah Parade" from Kaimukí to Waikíkí for a public menorah lighting ceremony.

Beginning at Kaimukí High School at 5:30 p.m., the route will follow Kapi'olani Boulevard to Downtown, to South Beretania Street to Bishop Street; makai to Ala Moana and diamondhead to Waikíkí.

Those wanting to sponsor a menorah in the parade ($36 per car menorah) should call 735-8161.

• Chabad of Hawaii's public lighting ceremony, which features the largest menorah in the state, is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at King Kaläkaua Park, at Kuhio and Kaläkaua avenues in Waikíkí.

The event will also feature free latkes and Jewish music. Special guest will be Gov. Linda Lingle.

The menorah will remain lit for the entire eight days of the holiday.

• "Chanukah in Ancient Israel" is the theme of Chabad's 23rd Annual Grand Chanukah Party.

The event — it will feature an 8-foot menorah, buffet lunch, performance by the Daniel Levey Chabad Hebrew School, dreidel playing and activities for children and adults — will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at Chabad headquarters on the second floor of Ala Moana Hotel.

Admission: $18 for adults; $12, children ages 2 to 12 years old. Table sponsorships are available.

For information, or to obtain menorahs, candles, Judaica or gifts, call 735-8161.

FIRE TRIBE HAWAI'I'S EVENT SET DEC. 15-20

The registration deadline for Fire Tribe Hawai'i's annual Winter Solstice Celebration, set for Dec. 15-20 in Leeward O'ahu, is next Saturday.

The celebration features a dark-to-dawn "magical fire circle" for people of all paths and traditions, incorporating dance, spoken word, drumming, music, singing, visual arts and a spontaneous sacred ceremony. It will be held at a private, alcohol/ drug-free facility. In an effort to prevent gate-crashing, the location will not be announced until registration.

Admission, which starts at $10, varies according to number of days attended and other factors.

Fire Tribe Hawai'i is a nonprofit, multi-denominational group focused on fostering spiritual and artistic expression of all people. The group sponsors "sacred fire circles" at each solstice and equinox, with dance, music, song and art from midnight to dawn.

For more information, call 737-3787, or go to www.firetribehawaii.org.