Hawkins United Methodist Church is gearing up for their upcoming production of the “Christmas Post,” that is set to run at 7 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 13 in the church’s Abundant Life Center, 3736 Halls Ferry Road.

“The production brings to life two of Norman Rockwell’s famous covers of The Saturday Evening Post,” Cheryl Montgomery said, the Hattie McGee’s newsstand (1941) and the exhausted Alice Garfield at the end of a busy Christmas shopping day (1947).

Montgomery is serving as one of three directors for the local production and said the musical is set in the mythical town of Homesboro, Ind., on Christmas Eve 1947.

The storyline is one of familiarity — times are hard and main character Alice Garfield takes on a second job at Herzog’s Department store to help buy her children that one special Christmas present, Montgomery said.

Daughter, Katie, is also trying to make Christmas special for her mother and is posing and working as a newsie at Hattie’s newsstand.

During the musical, calamity ensues for Alice and she looses her job at the department store.

Nevertheless by the end of the production, things turn around for Alice after she is reminded of the true meaning of Christmas from an unlikely source, Hattie McGee — the newsstand lady with angelical powers, Montgomery said.

This will be the sixth year Hawkins has offered the production with free admission, as their gift to the community.

“Over the years we have had the pleasure of sharing this ministry with those in our area and from around the country,” Montgomery said.

This year’s local production, will offer a slight variation, however, from previous shows held in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011 since its creators, Deborah Craig-Clarr and Robert Sterling, have added three new production numbers to the musical — “On Union Square,” “Hit Pay Dirt” and “Brilliant!”

Even though “The Christmas Post” is being presented at Hawkins United Methodist Church, Montgomery said many of its actors, which have numbered in the 60’s and are between the ages of three to 80, represent others from the community.

Planning for the elaborate production begins in May, Montgomery said and rehearsals start up in September.

“A reception is held at the conclusion of each performance where audience and cast are invited to share a cup of apple cider and cookies before their ride home,” Montgomery said.

For more information, call 601-636-2242 or email mshel2us@yahoo.com.