WITH Christmas almost here, there's only one place many people will be thinking of visiting - a local church to mark the true reason that makes Christmas so special.

Churches around the region will be opening their doors, so here we present a round-up of services throughout the Christmas period.

23 Beadlam: Carol service, St Hilda's Church, 9.30am.

23 Kirkbymoorside: All Saints' parish church service of nine lessons and carols by candlelight.

23 Kirkbymoorside: Friends' Meeting House, 10.30am, meeting for worship.

23 Kirkbymoorside: Church of Our Lady and St Chad, 4pm-5pm Advent carol service with readings.

23 Kirkbymoorside: Methodist church, 10.30am Junior church and morning worship theme: Are you ready? 4pm, church family carols by candlelight, theme: Almost there.

23 Malton: St Michael's, 6.30pm, carols by candleight.

23 Norton: St Peter's Church, Langton Road, carols by candlelight, 6pm.

23 Pickering: St Peter and St Paul, 3.15pm Christmas Praise, an informal service with readings and carols.

23 Pickering: Methodist Church carol service, 6.15am

23 Rievaulx: A special Celebration of Christmas service 'A Journey to Bethlehem' is being held at Rievaulx Methodist Church on Sunday, December 23. The service will be led by Mrs Glennis Hobbs from Kirkbymoorside and will commence at 6.30pm. There will be musical items and drama by the children of the Sunday School and favourite carols and readings which together tell the Christmas story. Seasonal refreshments will be provided after the service. Come and join us on 'a Journey to Bethlehem'.

23 West Heslerton: All Saints will be celebrating Holy Communion at 9.15am.

24 Beadlam: St Hilda's, Christingle service at 6pm.

24 Harwood Dale: Carol by candlelight, the Rev Jonathan Baker, Mr Graeme Hay, St Margaret's Church, 6.30pm. In aid of St Margaret's church.

24 Kirkbymoorside: First Mass of Christmas at 8pm, St Chad's, following carols from 7.30pm. Mass on Christmas morning at 10.30am.

24 Kirkbymoorside: All Saints' parish church, 5pm, the Light of the World, a candlelit pilgrimage to the crib for all ages. 11.30pm Midnight Mass.

24 Kirkbymoorside: Methodist church, 11.30pm Christmas Eve Communion.

24 Kirkdale: St Gregory's Minster, 11.30pm, sung Eucharist.

24 Leavening: Family carol service in the Ven Bede, Leavening, at 6.30pm.

24 Malton: St Michael's, noon, Shoppers carol service. 6pm crib service. 11.30pm Midnight Eucharist.

24 Malton: St Leonard and St Mary's, vigil of carols and mass at 7.30pm.

24 Norton: St Peter's Church, Langton Road, children's crib service 4pm, midnight mass 11.30pm.

24 Old Malton: Crib service and nativity play, St Mary's Priory, 3.30pm.

24 Old Malton: Midnight mass, St Mary's Priory, 11.30pm.

24 Pickering: St Peter and St Paul, 3pm Christmas crib and Christingle; 11.30pm midnight mass.

24 Pickering: Methodist Church, midnight communion at 11.15pm, not 11.30pm as previously advertised.

24 Sherburn: St Hilda's will be the venue for the Benefice Midnight Service starting at 11.30pm.

25 Beadlam: St Hilda's, at 9.30am, family communion.

25 Kirkbymoorside: All Saints' parish church, 8am Holy Communion (book of common prayer). 10.15am Christmas family communion service (common worship order 1).

25 Kirkbymoorside: Church of Our Lady and St Chad, 10.30am, Mass of Christmas Day.

25 Kirkbymoorside: Methodist church, 10.30am Christmas Day church family service theme: It's now!

25 Malton: St Michael's, 8am Holy Communion; 9.30am Parish Communion with carols.

25 Malton: St Leonard and St Mary, mass 9.30am.

25 Norton: St Peter's Church, Langton Road, communion 10am.

25 Old Malton: Holy communion, 8am; Family matins service (with carols), 11am; Holy Communion, 11.55am. St Mary's Priory, 3.30pm.

25 Pickering: St Peter and St Paul, 8am Holy Communion; 10am Family Eucharist.

25 Pickering: Methodist Church service at 10.30am with an URC preacher. 26 Kirkbymoorside: All Saints' parish church, St Stephen the First Martyr.

27 Kirkbymoorside: All Saints' parish church St John, Apostle and Evangelist.

28 Kirkbymoorside: All Saints' parish church The Holy Innocents, there will be a service of Holy communion at 10am.

30 Sherburn: St Hilda's at 10am a Benefice Communion with prayers for healing.

Updated: 12:02 Thursday, December 20, 2001