Grandview Church, 888 Pleasure Road, Lancaster, will offer Nativity, Carols, and Cocoa - a community-focused, interactive Christmas experience - on Friday, Dec. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m.

The event will start in the sanctuary with a brief introduction and a couple of well-known carols. Then people may stroll around the building and out onto the lawn to see the facades of four houses, the smallest of which is 8 by 6 feet and the largest of which is 8 by 10 feet. Each is designed to reflect one of the four Gospels' stories about Jesus. There will be a stable, too. Wanderers will also encounter various characters from the Christmas story as well as real sheep and goats. As people travel at their own pace, they can enjoy s'mores, cocoa, and campfires.

The event, under leadership from families minister Kate Beiler Toner, is based on the book "Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes" by Cynthia M. Campbell. The book includes drawings of houses by architect Kevin Burns, who sought to make them match each gospel writer's account.

John's house looks like buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, with an emphasis on big windows and lots of light, since John includes the claim that "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never overcome it." Matthew's house is a rambling Victorian. Luke's may be the most familiar, as it is this account that includes the most familiar elements of the story that is told each Christmas Eve: shepherds and sheep, a heavenly choir of angels and a baby born in a stable because there was no room in the inn. Mark's house is very plain because the book of Mark includes no Christmas story.

A team led by Grandview's Robert Good and Tracy Massey has created 3D models of what Burns drew and described for Campbell's book. Other members of the team are Steve Hynicka; Jane Corning, who works for an HVAC firm; Bill Corning, caretaker of Grandview's building; architect Chloe Chapman; John Raab, who is the vice president of a civil engineering firm; Tess Feiler; and Kai Trautenbach.

Grandview will host four worship services on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24. The Rev. Andrea Brown, lead pastor, will preach at all of the services, sharing a message titled "Home for Christmas."

A 10 a.m. event will be a Carols and Communion service; nursery care will be available at this service only. During the 7 p.m. service, the worship band will lead well-known carols. A choir, a string quartet, wind instruments, and the organ will be highlighted during a traditional service at 9 p.m. The 11 p.m. service will feature acoustic music, with the Rev. Liz Fulmer at the piano, supported by additional musicians, including Beth Lavender on cello.

For more details, email kate@grandviewlancaster.org or andrea@grandviewlancaster.org or call or text Kate at 717-799-7266 or 717-394-6887, ext. 103, or Andrea at 717-945-8437.