TIS the season to be jolly, to eat and be merry, to shop and drink sherry, and to collapse in front of the telly wondering how on earth you got this belly. However, tis also the season to celebrate the birth of Christ. Beneath the glitz of tinsel, baubl

'TIS the season to be jolly, to eat and be merry, to shop and drink sherry, and to collapse in front of the telly wondering how on earth you got this belly. However, 'tis also the season to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Beneath the glitz of tinsel, baubles and a two-hour X Factor marathon it is far too easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas.

Schools across the area have been hard at work putting on their versions of the Nativity over the last few weeks, and our photographers have been to as many as we could to capture the innocent wonder of the children's productions. Check out our photo gallery for all the images, and don't miss the special Nativity supplement in this week's Herts Advertiser.

And why not take a break from peeling spuds and escape the crowds of the high street by attending one of the many church services St Albans has to offer? The churches of St Albans are serving up a generous helping of Christmas services this year, many of them catering for younger children, so whether you're game for live music and a film or prefer something more traditional there is bound to be a service to suit you.

Saturday, December 19

Seventh-day Adventist Church, St Peters Street, St Albans - 11.15am Christmas Service

Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban - 11am, and then every hour until 4pm Carols on the Hour, an informal 30-minute carol service open to everyone, just turn up! This event attracted more than 3,000 people last year so it's certain to be popular.

Sunday, December 20

Network Church, Rothamsted Conference Centre, Harpenden - 10.30am Informal Family Christmas Service - stay afterwards for coffee and mince pies!

Parish Church of St Mary, Sherwood Avenue, Marshalswick - 6.30pm Service of lessons and carols.

St Luke's Church, Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans - 6.30pm Service of lessons and carols by candlelight.

Trinity United Reformed Church, on the corner of Victoria Street and Beaconsfield Road, St Albans - 10am festival service including an infant baptism.

Hatfield Road Methodist Church, St Albans - 10.30am Christingle service, 6.30pm carol service followed by mince pies and refreshments.

Vineyard Church, Ashley Road, St Albans - 10am and 12pm guest service featuring live worship music, talk and fun, and a special kids' programme.

St Stephen's Church, Watling Street, St Albans - 6.30pm carol service followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

St Paul's Church, Hatfield Road, St Albans - 6.30pm carol service by candlelight.

Homewood Road United Reformed Church, St Albans - 6.30pm carol service.

Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24

SS Alban and Stephen Church, Beaconsfield Road, St Albans - 2.30pm children's liturgy; 7pm first mass of Christmas; 9pm Italian mass; 11.15pm carols followed by midnight mass.

Parish Church of St Mary, Sherwood Avenue, Marshalswick - 5pm crib service with nativity play; 11.30pm midnight mass including a sung Eucharist.

St Luke's Church, Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans - 4pm crib service; 11pm midnight Holy Communion by candlelight.

Homewood Road United Reformed Church, St Albans - 11.30pm Christmas Eve service.

St Peter's Church, Battlefield Road, St Albans - 3pm children's crib service; 6.30pm carol service by candlelight; 11.30pm midnight mass led by the Bishop of Hertford.

Trinity United Reformed Church, on the corner of Victoria Street and Beaco nsfield Road, St Albans - 10am family service.

Hatfield Road Methodist Church, St Albans - 11.30pm service with holy communion.

Vineyard Church, Ashley Road, St Albans - 5pm and 7pm carols and candlelight.

St Stephen's Church, Watling Street, St Albans -

4pm crib service; 11.30pm midnight mass.

St Julian's Church, Abbots Avenue, St Albans - 4pm crib service.

St Bartholomew's Catholic Church, Vesta Avenue, St Albans - 4pm vigil mass, 11.30pm midnight mass.

St Paul's Church, Hatfield Road, St Albans - 3.30pm and 5pm crib service especially for children; 11.30pm midnight communion.

Christmas Day, Friday, December 25

SS Alban and Stephen Church, Beaconsfield Road, St Albans - 8am mass, 9.30am mass, 11.30am mass, 4pm Polish mass.

Parish Church of St Mary, Sherwood Avenue, Marshalswick - 10am family communion service with a children's talk.

Homewood Road United Reformed Church, St Albans - 10.30am Christmas Day family service.

St Peter's Church, Battlefield Road, St Albans - 8am holy communion with the Book of Common Prayer; 9.30am family communion; 11am Matins with a musical celebration set around the formal setting of Matins.

St Luke's Church, Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans - 10am special Christmas celebration for all the family.

Forest Town Church, Lyon Way, St Albans - 10am Christmas Day family service.

Hatfield Road Methodist Church, St Albans - 10.30am celebration service for all the family.

Vineyard Church, Ashley Road, St Albans - 12 noon Christmas dinner with a three-course menu and film for 100+ people.

St Stephen's Church, Watling Street, St Albans - 8am holy communion; 10am family communion.

St Julian's Church, Abbots Avenue, St Albans - 10am family communion.

St Bartholomew's Catholic Church, Vesta Avenue, St Albans - 8.30am mass of the dawn; 10.30am mass of the day.

St Paul's Church, Hatfield Road, St Albans - 8am traditional communion, 10.30am family communion.

Feast of St Stephen, Saturday, December 26

SS Alban and Stephen Church, Beaconsfield Road, St Albans - 12 noon mass; 6pm mass.

Feast of Epiphany, Wednesday, January 6

Parish Church of St Mary, Sherwood Avenue, Marshalswick - 8pm sung Eucharist