A Very Covid Christmas to You – Part One
Ed. Note: What a year! We are planning at least two submissions to a series meant to encourage and edify. If you have creative plans of ministry in your church this year, would you be willing to share it with us? We think we can encourage one another in this way. Please send submissions to .
Any government’s shut down can be God’s open door!
I’ve reiterated this statement to our church family as well as the many national preachers worldwide with whom I minister. Worship ministry during the Christmas season is another open door to remind people of the reason for the season.
In our attempt at following guidelines by health professionals, we are minimizing group singing (for instance, a cantata or Christmas concert) as well as excessive contact (for instance, weekly rehearsals and the final dress rehearsal). This year, we invited our whole church (singles, couples, and families) to participate in our Church Family Christmas Service. People who are already in physical and social contact like parents and children may sign up to minister by singing their favorite Christmas carol or a married couple could sing a duet. People would be rehearsing as much as they want with those in their own homes. Others will play their musical instruments as solos.
Interspersed among the musical selections, some have signed up to read and/or recite parts of the Christmas record from Matthew or Luke. Still others are reciting traditional poetry while one lady will be sharing her own original meter. Someone has signed up to tell the history of a Christmas carol. I will be reading a story to our children. Lastly, a few family units will be sharing Christmas traditions such as my family’s tradition to read the Scriptures and hang a long, hideous nail among the ornaments on the tree as a reminder that the Baby Jesus in the manager came to be the Christ on the cross! I will be tying things together and adding some congregational singing. Our church folks are excited about this family program and their participation.
Merry Christmas!
Pastor M. Privett