MARYSVILLE – Like many churches, the Marysville Shoultes Gospel Hall doesn’t forget Christ in Christmas.

It opened its doors to the community Monday and Tuesday night for hot chocolate, cookies, caroling and crafts.

“It’s Christ-focused, community and family friendly,” pastor Tom Hoy said. “It’s got music and refreshments and doesn’t cost.”

Brian Meyers, an elder at the church, said it was the second year for the event. They went door-to-door around the neighborhood with invitations.

The church is all lit up with Christmas lights. They modeled it after the Lights at Warm Beach, only “one-thousand times smaller,” Meyers said.

Two of the more impressive pieces – a manger and a “Joy” sign – are “out of my yard,” he added.

A choir sang Christmas carols like “Silent Night” outside around burning barrels to keep them warm. Inside, visitors could get their pictures taken at a photo booth. Pictures were processed right there and turned into Christmas cards stenciled with “Simple Christmas,” the theme of the event.

Liz Lamb was there with children Tristan, Marcus and Avery. They came all the way from the gospel hall in Clearview. The kids kept busy at the craft table, making artwork of the three wise men.

Dale Tanis and his son Griffin, 2, of Granite Falls were looking at a manger. Tanis proudly said his dad, Leroy, of Marysville, constructed the scene.

Josephine Meyers, 3, was there with her dad, Scott. She was making her own manger scene with tiny, wooden pieces.

Hoy said the church started about 22 years ago as an outreach of the gospel hall in Arlington.

“Christ came into this world to be our savior,” Hoy said. “That’s worth celebrating.”