Originally Posted by painted lady (Post 2507165)

i don't go to church anymore... ever. but i've been thinking about going on Christmas Eve for one reason: to sing. i was in church choir starting at age 3 and school choir starting at age 5. i LOVE singing. i never get to do it anymore (unless i'm in my car :) ). i told my boyfriend i might go to church on wednesday night and he made a face.... i am not religious or believing in anything in the slightest... i just like the music!

as for christmas day, Chad and I are going to visit his grandparents in Iowa. that will be fun... his family is so nice!

Originally Posted by NightengaleShane (Post 2507168)

:lol: Gary - CEO - Christmas and Easter Only - that cracked me up!!

I will most definitely be going to church with my family on Christmas.

I have recently started going to church again (as well as getting involved with the volunteer youth ministry!), after ending my relationship (and a few other not-so-healthy ones), doing some general soul-searching, and straightening my life out. As a kid, I always hated going to church, but now I have A LOT more enthusiasm for my faith since *I* chose it. No one told me to start going to church; God called me back and I did it on my own accord. :)

Originally Posted by junebug41 (Post 2507171)

Gary your poll options made me laugh.

I have never been to church on Christmas Eve! Can you believe that? We would always go the Sunday around Christmas with the whole family and I don't know why we never went on Christmas Eve.

That's changing this year! DH's family is in town and I'm lucky to be able to attend church at the largest Anglican cathedral in the state. It's breathtaking. So this year DH and I are taking the whole crowd down for the 7 p.m. service after an early supper. It should be fun for everyone.

I'm also big into the musical aspect. To me, that's a religious experience all its own.

Originally Posted by painted lady (Post 2507174)

i would be that creepy girl who sits in the front, doesn't pray, and sings really loudly. and then leaves immediately afterward.

Originally Posted by junebug41 (Post 2507175)

Same here. I did a lot of soul searching and self discovery when deciding what kind of wedding I wanted to have this summer. It was sort of the fringe benefit of the process ;)

Originally Posted by murphmitch (Post 2507176)

Our family tradition is for the whole family to attend Midnight Mass. We've been taking our kids to the Midnight service since they were born. It's always beautiful. In the last few years many churches have gotten away from it and have their last Christmas Eve service at 10pm or 11, but our church still does it at midnight. There have been mornings where I had to get up at 5am to go to work (hospital) after being up so late, but I wouldn't miss it for the world. There are fewer people attending the late service in the last few years.

Since the kids were older we have also begun opening gifts on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas (after Santa came). All my kids will be here (two home from college). We have a big meal with lasagna on Christmas Eve, open gifts, then go to Mass. It's gonna be a really cold Christmas Eve here this year. The high today here was -1!

Originally Posted by jtammy (Post 2507203)

We have a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6pm that is part of our tradition. We'll be there again this year. When our kids we younger, we went to a different church that had a midnight service. Although it was harder to do since they were so young, it really was a beautiful service.

We also have a 6 o'clock service for those with little ones.

Nightengaleshane, :) that's good news. I think you are someone the youth could really relate to.

Originally Posted by jtammy (Post 2507212)

Everyone is welcome at most churches. Go and enjoy the music, if that's why you want to go. I love Christmas hymns and other music as well. One reason I look forward to Advent is because of the music.

My new favorite is "In the Bleak Midwinter" (don't know how I missed this all these years) but I also adore "O Come Immanuel" and "What Child is This".

Originally Posted by Chance0421 (Post 2507298)

I haven't ever gone to church on Christmas Eve, but I think I'm going to this year. My husband works at our church & he is going to be running all 3 services, so I thought I would go & sit in the sound booth with him. Our church doesn't do a Christmas day service though, which wouldn't work because we do family festivities all day anyway. So, anyway, maybe I'm starting a new tradition this year. =)

Originally Posted by foodieUS (Post 2507342)

We never miss going to the church. On the Christmas day I and my family go to the church early in the morning.

Originally Posted by MissVitality (Post 2507483)

To me, Christmas isn't Christmas without going to Church. You have to ask yourself what Christmas is really about and its true meaning. For me, it's about the birth of his Christ and his love for us. I appreciate others have different beliefs.

I will be going to a lovely Carol Service at Church on Christmas Eve followed by Midnight Mass. On Christmas morning, I will take my little niece and nephew to the children's mass. It is magical to come together as a community to celebrate the gift of Christ, our families and love for one another.

Merry Christmas to you all when it comes. xxx

Originally Posted by alinnell (Post 2507705)

I only go to church when I'm back in Utah with my parents. It's really the only church I feel comfortable in, although there is a nice Lutheran church just a couple of miles from where I live. I know my parents go there when they come to visit me--their old pastor is a member there.

Originally Posted by MonteCristo (Post 2507722)

Our church doesn't have services on Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day. We did just have our Christmas potluck yesterday. It was so good! (Can you tell I'm Baptist?) ;)

Originally Posted by RobinW (Post 2507786)

weddings and funerals are the only things that get me in a church!!!

Originally Posted by RN BSN 2009 (Post 2507800)

nope.. not going.

I'm not even a christian.. so it doesnt count...lol

Originally Posted by bargoo (Post 2507809)

I had a pastor who called people who only go to church on Christmas and Easter " Creasters".
I don't know where I would be without the love, fellowship and prayers of My Christian friends . Some of you know I have cancer. The love of God means everything to me. Since being prayed for at my church, I have found the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Originally Posted by Fat Chick B Gone (Post 2507814)

Nope not me, not Christian. I just try to be a good person the whole year ;)

Originally Posted by painted lady (Post 2508429)

yep, me too. i was born and raised Congregational (it's part of the United Church of Christ, and open and affirming), and i was even confirmed! now the only religion i can claim is cultural Jewishness... so Happy Chanukah, everyone! :)

church can be a good place to meet people and make friends... it's just never really worked out for me.

Originally Posted by MonteCristo (Post 2507722)

Our church doesn't have services on Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day. We did just have our Christmas potluck yesterday. It was so good! (Can you tell I'm Baptist?) ;)

Originally Posted by Stepping Out (Post 2508608)

Originally Posted by BornToFly (Post 2508792)

I usually go on Christmas Eve. Will prob this year with the family as well.

Originally Posted by bargoo (Post 2510770)

Angie is a better woman than I am, I do NOT share!