Christmas Plans
Every year, for a few days between Christmas afternoon and the start of the new school semester, our family takes a trip to see our parents and grandparents. Years ago, we learned that the stress of having them visit us did not mix well with the challenge of leading Christmas Eve and Day services. Although the specific travel arrangements may shift slightly, the overall plan is always the same. Last week, for the first time, Elizabeth and I acknowledged that travelling back to Alabama may not be possible this year because of the pandemic.
For most of us, the bulk of our cherished holiday habits will not be possible this year. Because of that, some of us have wondered whether Christmas is worth celebrating at all. (It is!) Of all our holy days, this is the one that is most profoundly governed by tradition. Capturing that sentiment, a colleague once advised me that there are only two important questions to ask in premarital counseling: “Where will you wake up on Christmas morning?” and “Will you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?” This year, even the practices that feel most important and completely unalterable are likely to change.
At St. Paul’s, as each major liturgical event on the calendar has drawn near, our staff has had to come to grips with the fact that how we have always done it will have to give way to something new. Holy Week and Easter were early in the pandemic, and it felt so strange to preach to an empty church even though I knew that you were able to join us online. We did our best to offer resources for individuals and families to worship at home, and we looked forward to coming back together soon—maybe as early as midsummer. Soon, however, we realized that the bishop’s visit could not happen as usual. Then we had to let go of our August baptisms. And then we had to change our plans for fall programs. All Saints’ baptisms were celebrated one family at a time, and Advent programs have been limited to drive-thru offerings. Through it all, we have wondered with one another what we will do for Christmas.
A few weeks ago, I called a friend of mine in another diocese and asked him what his parish’s plans were for Christmas Eve. When he described what he and his staff had discussed, one thing he said really struck me: “We tried to figure out what was most important to our congregation on Christmas Eve and have done our best to meet those needs.” What a wonderful approach to worship in this time when nothing is normal! When I shared that idea with our staff, we quickly followed suit and named a few things that feel particularly important to St. Paul’s—Communion, music, and our building—and we have developed a plan that we hope will convey as much of what we value as possible.
On Christmas Eve, we plan to offer two livestreamed services. The first will be at 4:30pm and will include an abbreviated liturgy with a family-friendly sermon. After the eucharistic prayer, we will pause the service and invite those who are able to come down to East Avenue and gather outside the church at 5:30pm to sing “Silent Night” and then come into the church to receive Communion. Households will need to stay at least six feet apart, and everyone will need to wear a mask. Since we will only let a few people into the church at a time, it may take a while for everyone to receive Communion. Once households have come through the church, they will be invited to leave, saying the post-communion prayer and dismissal on their own. Those who are unable to come in person will be invited to say the prayer for spiritual Communion. Our hope is that we will be able to sense the presence of the whole community as we take Communion even if we are unable to gather inside together.
Later that night, we will offer the traditional, full, festal Eucharist at 11:00pm but only as a livestream service. If you are so inclined, you may join us online and share in the prayer for spiritual Communion. And, if you fall asleep earlier in the evening, you can always watch the service again the next day. On Christmas Day we will also stream our traditional service at 10:00am for those who cherish that smaller, quieter, simpler offering.
Of course, all of that could change. It could be bitterly cold or raining or even snowing on Christmas Eve. We are also watching the active case rate in Washington County and are very concerned. If the Governor or public health authorities suspend all public gatherings, we will follow suit and cancel the in-person part of our service. We think, though, that by staying outside, gathering for a short time, and only coming into the church a few people at a time we can offer some of the familiar beauty of Christmas Eve in a safe way.
This year is like nothing most of us have ever experienced, yet the universal need to celebrate the birth of our savior—God’s gift of salvation in the midst of the world’s brokenness—is as important as ever. However we can, let us strive to celebrate together.
Yours Faithfully,
Evan