’Twas the day of Christmas, and all across the land, church members were trying their best to understand. Oh, some things were the same — the ornaments and lights, the sweets and treats, packages wrapped merry and bright. But for many folks, it was still hard to believe, that they had not been to church on that Christmas Eve. They had not lifted their candles into the air; they had not raised their voices in song or in prayer; had not been able even to darken the doors, for COVID had prevented this, and so much more. This Christmas, though decorations filled up the rooms, many loved ones were seen and heard only through Zoom, or FaceTime, Google Hangout or some other name, which was better than nothing, but hardly the same. And so, this pastor wondered just what he might say, to his flock watching on their screens this Christmas Day. The more he thought about the truth of what he’d share, he realized, for some, sadness had already been there. For whether there’s a … [Read more...]

  Our congregation returned to limited in-person worship in October. One service takes place in the sanctuary and is broadcasted over Zoom, and another service is held outdoors. Most of the congregation is still opting to worship with us over Zoom. But being back in the sanctuary has given our worship team a chance to think through how we might celebrate Advent and Christmas together, especially since we worship in a hybrid fashion. It provoked the question: What is essential to our worship during Advent and Christmas? Traditions rose to the top of the list — like singing Christmas carols and lighting the Advent candles. At the very top of the list was singing “Silent Night” by candlelight on Christmas Eve. This posed several problems. Singing, for one, is not encouraged. And can you imagine all those people blowing out their candles at the end of the hymn? It’d be an aerosol nightmare! Still, I connect to this feeling that Christmas wouldn’t feel like Christmas without … [Read more...]