Christmas Eve at Channing Memorial Church usually includes a retelling of the story of Christ’s birth as told from the Book of Luke in the New Testament, along with a secular Christmas story, for instance, O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi. Traditional carols are sung throughout, and the service closes with a group candle lighting and the singing of Silent Night, Holy Night. Before going on our merry ways, we partake of a cookie potluck.
When Christmas Day has fallen on a Sunday, we have done various things, including lay-led, story-based services, singing-based services, and even no services at all.