It’s a story of angels bringing good tidings of great joy to all people.

It’s the story of shepherds leaving their flocks and heading for Bethlehem to see a long-awaited child.

It’s the story of a baby in a manger because there was no room for his parents, Mary and Joseph, in the inn.

The story will unfold musically, through readings, children’s programs and special messages beginning Sunday in Northeast Oregon churches.

Here is a wrapup of services in Union and Wallowa counties, as provided to The Observer.

Union County

La Grande

United Methodist Church, 1612 Fourth St., Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m. "Away in a Manger" nativity program by Sunday school children; music by Joellyn Hasse, Nicole Lewis, Brian Genova, Cathy Petrusek, Steve Slabaugh and Lanetta Paul, followed by traditional passing of the candle light.

Church of the Nazarene, 109 18th St., Christmas Eve communion service 5 p.m.

Grande Ronde Community Church, 410 Fir St., Christmas cantata "Get Ready for the Coming King," 10 a.m. Sunday.

Pioneer Park Church, 601 Jefferson Ave., 10 a.m. Sunday service with Christmas buffet and music by Celebration Singers.

Victory Christian Center, 1220 Jefferson Ave., 10 a.m. Sunday service with Christmas monologue by Becky Wilson and music by Cindy Fisher and Tom Anderson; Christmas Eve communion service 4 p.m.

Sonrise Free Methodist, meeting at Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2702 Adams, Ave., 10 a.m. Sunday musical drama "Christmas Comes to Lone Star Gulch." Christmas dinner will be celebrated at the Union Hotel. For tickets call 663-1735.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Fourth Street and O Avenue, 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday Eucharist services followed by traditional greening of the church and a light lunch.

Christmas Eve services, 4 p.m. family service with pageant and communion; 10:30 p.m. instrumental and vocal music before 11 p.m. midnight Mass. Dec. 28 Eucharist services at 8 and 10 a.m.

Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Fourth Street and L Avenue, fourth Sunday of Advent, 9 a.m. Mass with Alleluia Bells. Christmas Eve carols at 4:30 p.m., family Mass at 5 p.m. Christmas morning Mass at 9 a.m.

First Christian Church, 901 Penn Ave., 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday services. Christmas Eve candlelight communion services at 6:30 and 11 p.m. with carols and Scripture.

Faith Lutheran Church, 104 S. 12th St., Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. with music, skits, Scripture and candlelight. Christmas day service at 10 a.m. celebrates the birth of Christ with communion.

First Baptist Church, 10 a.m. Sunday service with guest soloist Bobby Michaels, casual dress; child care provided. Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m. with music and readings but no child care.

First Presbyterian Church, fourth Sunday of Advent, 9:30 a.m. service with lighting of Advent candles; the prayer labyrinth will be open to the community from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Friendship Center, 1204 Spring Ave. Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. will be led by young people; a 7:30 p.m. service of candlelight and communion will include handbell music; and the 11 p.m. service will be a traditional candlelight service with lessons, carols and music by the chancel choir.

Damascus Road Ministries, 905 C Ave., children’s Christmas program at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Christmas Eve communion service at 7 p.m.

Island City

Light House Church, Christmas Eve service 7 p.m.; Avalanche annual youth meeting 6 p.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday with skiing at Anthony Lakes.

Faith Center, 10300 South D St., fourth Sunday of Advent services at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. both with child care. Christmas Eve candlelight services at 5:30 and 7 p.m. with La Grande Dance Works Team.

New Life Center, 10700 Walton Road, 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. At 6 p.m., Christmas cantata, "Festival of Lights," a family celebration by adult and youth choirs of Elgin Nazarene Church.

Cove

United Methodist Church annual Christmas community vesper service, 4 p.m. Sunday with refreshments in the fellowship hall.

Calvary Baptist Church, 10:45 a.m. Sunday service; Christmas program "Celebrate Immanuel God With Us" by Real Life Kids’ Club at 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m. and New Year’s Eve game and video night at 7 p.m. Dec. 31.

Imbler

Christian Church, Christmas program, 6 p.m. Sunday. Christmas Eve candlelight service, 7 p.m.

Summerville

Baptist Church, 11 a.m. Sunday service with teen presentation "The Gift"; 6 p.m. children’s Christmas program. Christmas day service at 10 a.m. with guest and former pastor Chuck Beickel.

New Year’s Eve praise service at 7 p.m.

Elgin

United Methodist Church, Birch and Seventh streets, Christmas Eve service 9 p.m. with lay speaker Elmer Yoder.

Harvester Nazarene Church 10:45 a.m. Sunday service, Christmas cantata, "Festival of Lights," a family celebration with adult and youth choirs; repeated 6 p.m. at New Life Center in La Grande. A Christmas Eve service will be at 5:30 p.m.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Christmas Eve Mass 7 p.m., midnight Mass with carols beginning at 11:30 p.m.

Union

United Methodist Church, Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Christmas morning Mass at 11.

Wallowa County

Wallowa

United Methodist Church, 102 W. First St., Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m.

Joseph

United Methodist Church, corner of Lake and Third streets, 10 a.m. Sunday service with "A Kids’ Christmas," a play put on by children, followed by a sandwich potluck lunch. Christmas Eve service of peace and light, 7 p.m. with Christmas story, carols, prayers for peace, community candlelight service. Dec. 28 musical celebration at 10 a.m. service with choir anthems, hymns and carols.

Mountain View Christian, 84083 Alpine Lane, Christmas Eve candlelight service 6 p.m.

Baptist Church, 107 N. Main St., Christmas Eve service with special music at 7:30 p.m.

Enterprise

Christian Church, 201 E. Main St., Christmas Eve services at 5 and 6 p.m. with hymns, choirs and readings.

Community Church, 301 N.E. First St., 7 p.m. Sunday service; Christmas Eve services are 7:30 p.m. family service and 10 p.m. candlelight service.