Christmas Eve traditions and innovations

Although our Christmas Eve service could not be in person to protect our families and neighbors from coronavirus infections, it still held many of the traditions we've enjoyed over the decades at Epworth plus some clever innovations, some necessary for our new reality.

Christmas Eve worship, although filmed in the sanctuary, could only be seen on Facebook. The virtual worship experience opened with a video of luminaries lining the aisles leading to the altar decorated with our traditional poinsettia and Advent wreath

Besides the innovative video, the manger that has decorated the balcony for the past few years was placed on the altar instead so that worshippers could see it from home.

Traditionally, Christmas Eve services have consisted of scripture and familiar carols with special music interspersed throughout. This year was the same – with a few twists.

Jasper Ayers Assad has been the first soloist for Christmas Eve for a couple of years and he carried on this new tradition playing “Carol of the Bells” and “Joy to the World” but filmed rather than in person

Don Erickson has often sung with his family as well as doing a solo. This year it was just Donnie singing "Gabriel’s Message” as a solo.

Another Epworth Christmas Eve tradition was hearing “O Holy Night” sung by Jean Long. So many Epworthians were thrilled that this tradition continued in 2020.

Lilly Reiser and Lauren Miller filmed a duet singing a “mash up” of “Silent Night” and “What Child is This?” accompanied by their voice teacher Rachel Storlie on the piano.

And Will Reiser shared a devine musical rendition of “Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant”

The final special music was Nan and Tim Rice singing “The Christmas Wish” plus Nan played the flute while Tim played his guitar.

Keeping with tradition, Christmas Eve worship ended with “Silent Night” as congregants passed the Christ light virtually from home.

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