Christmas Eve is one of the most beautiful liturgies of the year! It is a “vigil”, which means it spans the gap between liturgical seasons within the Liturgy, bringing Advent to an end and initiating the feast of Christmas. The Liturgy begins with the Church waiting silently, in the dark, for the Messiah. There is a procession of the virgins with their lamps burning, harkening back to the parable Jesus told us about the need to be ready for His return. (Matthew 25:1-13) Then, Christmas is announced, the Christ candle is lit, and the service continues with each person holding a beeswax vigil candle. After taking the Eucharist, we sing carols by candlelight to end the service.

After the Liturgy, we hold a festival. Everyone is invited to bring heavy h'orderves or desserts. We toast with mulled wine or sparkling cider, sing karaoke, play fun Christmas games, and end the night with English Country Dancing. It is a joyous time!

After Christmas Day, there are three feast days that accentuate the theme of marytrdom. St. Stephen, celebrated on 12/26, was the first Christmas martyr. St. John the Evangelist, celebrated on 12/27, is considered a "white martyr". Holy Innocents, celebrated on 12/28, remembers the infants killed by Herod in Bethlehem. All of these feast days will be celebrated with Holy Communion  with a meal to follow. For Holy Innocents, all the children are invited up close to the altar for an Instructed Eucharist. Afterward, they will enjoy a pizza party, treats, and games in the fellowship hall!