Christmas Services
I am beyond excited for our second Christmas together! Last Christmastide was lovely. Our 7:30 p.m. Choral Prelude and 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Eucharist were lovely, but we didn’t have any children! Why didn’t we have any kids in the pews on Christmas Eve? Well, most kids are tucked into bed by 8:00 or 8:30 on Christmas Eve. Don’t worry. There is a solution.
This Christmas Eve, St. John’s will have not one, but two worship experiences! Anyone is welcome to attend either of the two liturgies, but there will be some differences. Our 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service will be the Family Service. I’ll share a children’s Christmas story and talk about the meaning of the Christingle tradition with our young ones. The St. Ambrose Choir will not be present for the 4:00 service, but we’ll have Christmas hymns that all families will know and recognize. We will sing “Silent Night” by candlelight and be sent into the world giving thanks for the birth of the Christ-child.
At 7:30 p.m., our organist and the St. Ambrose choir will offer a beautiful medley prelude. The 8:00 p.m. liturgy will have a Christmas homily, along with the singing of “Silent Night” by candlelight. In addition, the later Eucharist will have incense. Plus, our St. Ambrose choir will sing during the late service.
My grandmother never attended Christmas Eve services because she always said, “Everyone goes to church on Christmas Eve.” To which I always thought, so why don’t you attend with the rest of the world? My dear grandmother had her preferences, as all of us do. If for any reason you don’t want to come out on Christmas Eve, we will offer a spoken (no music) 10:00 a.m. Christmas Eucharist on Christmas Day. Personally, I enjoy the quiet nature of the Christmas Day liturgy. All are invited to sit in the choir stalls. There aren’t assigned readers or Eucharistic Ministers. I simply ask who would like to read the lessons. During the homily time, we share our understanding of God-enfleshed as Jesus. The Christmas Day service is a bit unique in its feel, and I invite you to experience it.
Wherever you are this Christmas, know you aren't alone. One of our Christmas Eve liturgies will be livestreamed to our YouTube channel. You are a beloved child of God’s, and you have infinite value. You have a place of belonging with St. John’s. From my heart to yours, have a holy Advent and a joy-filled Christmas!
In God’s Grace,
Eric L. Miller+
Rector and Dean
