Get a most unusual glimpse into the deeper meaning of Christmas at “Christmas 1945 Home.” The event, sponsored, produced and held at the Kings Baptist Church in Vero Beach, is a collection of about a dozen scenes depicting soldiers in 1945, celebrating the first Christmas after the end of War World II. The scenes are brought to life in a variety of rooms on the church’s campus. The audience, arranged in groups of 50 and guided by docents, moves from scene to scene. Each scene lasts six to 12 minutes. A synchronized soundtrack ensures precise timing for the actors who move the story along efficiently. The church has produced similar historical holiday productions since 2013. Pastor Frank Ellis says it is a most popular event. Indeed, in its first year, more than 5,000 people attended the walk-through production. Ellis, who was a history major in college, wrote the script for this year’s production. He took front-page newspaper articles to weave a journey through the lives of various service men and women during the Christmas season. “We’ve been telling World War II stories for a few years,” he says. “We try to tell these stories very straight. Nothing preachy about it. We bring a Christian message about family and home.” Although the storyline follows a variety of people bound together thematically, a couple of storylines do weave throughout the experience. One is about a soldier who goes through challenge after challenge to get back to his English bride who is pregnant with their child. The second story follows survivors of a plane crash in Papua, New Guinea. “Past years, I’ve had people think we had professionals, (but) there’s not a prof theater person in the group,” Ellis says. “You can get to be pretty good at inhabiting those parts.” Christmas 1945 Home runs 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every day through Sunday at the central campus of Kings Baptist Church, 3235 58th Ave., Vero Beach. Admission is free, but donations accepted. To donate, look for the contribution box at the end of the tour. For more information, visit Christmas1945.com or call 772-567-5850.
The First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach will present “Go Sing It on the Mountain: A Cantata for Christmas” this Sunday, Dec. 18. The cantata performances will be presented during the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services in the church sanctuary. They will be performed by the church’s Chancel Choir and Symphonic Orchestra, and include soloists and guest musicians performing Pepper Choplin’s folk music retelling the Christmas story. Admission is free. The First Presbyterian Church is at 520 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach. For more information, call 772-562-9088 or visit FirstPresVero.org.
Forget the flying sleigh – at a “Cowboy Christmas,” Santa arrives on horseback. It’s happening from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at LaPorte Farms in Sebastian. The event also features “Moondance,” a llama dressed in a Christmas costume and helped by his Elf handler. There will be s’mores cooked up at the farm’s fire pit. There will also be vendors, pony rides, hayrides, Whoville and a chance to feed the critters. And be sure to give your little ones enough time to enjoy the thousands of Christmas lights and more than 50 Christmas trees. LaPorte Farms is at 7700 129th St., Sebastian. Admission is a $2 donation per person. For more information, visit LaPorteFarms.com.
Usually, a trip to a museum to view art means strolling from one gallery to another with a frequent search for a bench to rest your feet. This time, though, you get to hold still while the art is presented to you. It’s “Art After Dark,” a digital outdoor art exhibition held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, on the lawn at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. This is the museum’s second such outdoor digital art exhibition. The scope of the artwork has been expanded and comes from artists around the world. Even more enticing, admission is free. But it’s best to bring your own folding chair. There will be food trucks and a cash bar for purchase. No outside food or beverage will be permitted. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is at 3001 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach. Call 772-231-0707 or visit VBMuseum.org.
The Women’s Club of Vero Beach Breakfast with Santa runs 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 1534 21st St., Vero Beach. Free for children under 16; $5 for adults. Call 772-205-2259. The Indian River County Parks and Recreation will host Breakfast with Santa 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Intergenerational Center, 1590 9th St., Vero Beach. $3 per person. Register at IRCGov.com/ParksAndRecreation or call 772-226-1780.