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BLACKSBURG -- When a local Unitarian Universalist Congregation kicks off the Christmas season today with its annual Advent Garden, there won't be a manger scene or a visit from Santa.

Nevertheless, there is likely to be a highly meaningful experience for all who attend.

The Advent Garden is a children's festival held at the church in Blacksburg each winter to commemorate the solstice shift bringing the return of extended daylight hours in the spring. On Dec. 22, the days start getting longer.

The ceremony, which started about 13 years ago, has become a deep-rooted tradition for the congregation of about 170 members.

"We know there are some advent celebrations at other churches, but we have not been able to find a similar one to what we do," said service coordinator Cathy Van Noy.

The Advent Garden, started by Freya Burgthorsen and Dawn Coe, will begin taking shape this morning, when the sanctuary is decorated with a large spiral of evergreen boughs. The evergreens form a two-foot spiral covering almost the entire sanctuary floor and ending with a candle in the center.

The ceremony, which lasts about 90 minutes, starts when children are ushered into the dark sanctuary by older youths dressed as angels. The children carry battery-operated candles and place them in hurricane lamps lining the spiral. The spiral is decorated with natural images such as feathers, apples and skulls.

As the church's choir sings Christmas songs in the background such as "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas," the sanctuary is lit to symbolize the meaning of the occasion.

"There's just a special feeling at that point," said Van Noy, a member for seven years. "We just let our senses take in the sight of the light and the smell of the greens."

For the congregation's pastor, the Rev. Christine Brownlie, the feeling is one that sinks in deep for those in the ceremony and the audience.

"It's very peaceful to me and it's very transcendent," said Brownlie, now in her seventh year as pastor. "There's a great tenderness in this whole experience because it's focused on the children."

The service ends when the children, one-by-one, extinguish the lights. About 35 children usually participate. The Advent Garden uses them to help convey an important message.

"I hope that what people will take from it is our connection with the natural world," Brownlie said. "The story of the birth of Jesus is a time not of rushing into something but paying attention to what's important."

The Advent Garden: A Seasonal Celebration of Light is at 5 and 7 p.m. today at Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

Hollyberry Fair. Today, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Radford Christian Church. Handmade craft items, baked goods, homemade beef stew. Proceeds benefit Christians Women's Fellowship service and missions.

Church concert, "Celebrate Christmas." Sunday, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Harbor of Hope Pentecostal Holiness Church, Christiansburg. 381-9434.

Missionary speaker. Sunday, 11 a.m., Bible Baptist Church, Christiansburg. 382-8441.

Art exhibit. Sunday, 11 a.m., Glade Church and Fine Arts Gallery, Blacksburg. Community reception, 2:30-4:30 p.m. 552-3394.

Christmas music. Sunday, 6 p.m., Bible Baptist Church, Cambria. Fairlawn Bell Choir performing. 763-3296.

Hanging of the Greens. Sunday, following 11 a.m. Eucharist, Grace Episcopal Church, Radford. Lunch in the parish hall before decorating. 639-3494.

Christmas musical, "Wondrous Gift." Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m., Blacksburg Baptist Church. Accompanied by narration and pageantry. No admission charge. Nonperishable food gifts accepted for Interfaith Food Pantry. 552-3869.

Sixth annual Christmas concert. 6 p.m., Dec. 11, Fairlawn Church of God. 639-1511

Church meal. Dec. 14, 6 p.m., St. Michael Lutheran Church, Blacksburg. 6:45 p.m. services.

Christmas musical, "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols." Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m., Pearisburg Presbyterian Church. Admission free and reception to follow. 588-1228.

Christmas Eve services. Dec. 24, 7 and 11 p.m., St. Michael Lutheran Church, Blacksburg. Christmas Day services. Dec. 25, 9 and 11 a.m., no Sunday school. 951-8951.

DivorceCare for Kids. Mondays, 6:30 p.m., 480 Canterbury St., Christiansburg. For ages 5-12. Led by the Rev. Bob Goad and held at the home of Marshall and Carol Fisher. $13 for workbook. Financial assistance available. 382-0751.

Relationship Bible study. Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m., St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Blacksburg. Meal and wellness program: "Food for Soul." 552-8782.

Wednesday Morning Prayer Breakfast. Wednesdays, 7 a.m., First United Methodist Church Small Fellowship Hall, Pearisburg. The cooks arrive at 5 a.m., and coffee is ready by 5:30 a.m. Breakfast is served at 7 a.m. 921-1356.

Meditation program. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga, Blacksburg. Learn a simple, universal meditation practice for people of all faiths and beliefs. 552-2177 or www.meditate-shivabala.org.

Gospel singing and Bible study. First Tuesdays and every Thursday, 10 a.m., Christiansburg Recreation Center, Christiansburg. Musicians, singers and bench warmers welcome. 382-8543.

Bible study group forming. Every other Wednesday, 6 p.m. 381-4557.

Taize prayer service. Second Fridays, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Church, Blacksburg. Candlelight service of song, silence, prayer and scripture. 961-0354.

Gospel Truth and the Redeemers Quartet. Second Saturdays, 7 p.m., Union Hall, Fairlawn. Door prizes and refreshments. Free. 382-4203 or 382-5513.

Grace Ministries COGOP in Pulaski now offers interpreters for the hearing impaired during the 10:30 a.m. service on Sundays.