For us, at FirstU, that means two services.

​​First, an early evening service, just after sunset, that centres the many youngest members of our congregation: Kids 2-12 years old. Our Family Christmas Eve service includes a mix of familiar Christmas hymns like "What Child is This" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" alongside traditional pop songs (of their time) like "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Let It Snow", and shares both a reading of "The Night Before Christmas" and a nativity play featuring any kids (and any parents) who want to take part. I love the way this service blends both the Christian and the Secular Humanist sides of our UU spiritual sources.

Between our two services, we usually host a light meal - a Bread and Soup Supper that lets attendees of both services get together to share some comfort food and fellowship without having to worry about what to cook with excited kids in their midst or just before rushing off to church for the evening. Unfortunately, this year, both our congregation and the residents of Unitarian House next door were hit with a heavy wave of covid, so we decided that caution was the better part of community care and opted to cancel the meal. I'm sorry we weren't able to get together the way we wanted to, but grateful that we're set up to livestream our services so that all our members and friends who were sick didn't have to miss sharing Christmas Eve.

Our second Christmas Eve service is a quiet and contemplative mix of readings and carols. This year, our friend - and former Music Director - Deirdre Kellerman joined us for the service, singing a beautiful solo rendition of O Holy Night, and an acapella duet - The Tree of Life - with our own Jenn Berntson, as well as providing the piano for a candle-lit congregational duet of Silent Night / Night of Silence. If our early service highlights the joy and celebration of the season, it's the second service that reminds me of the blessing that is wonder, and to "open my eyes again" (to reference the late Sir Terry Pratchett) and find the quiet awe in every day.

This time of year, the calendar fills up so fast with so many commitments. It's a relief to make time on Sunday mornings for some reflection, some shared company, and a break from all the busy of December.
Which doesn't stop me looking forward to a few of FirstU's annual events. The double services we do at First Unitarian every Christmas Eve - usually with a community dinner (bread and soup) between them, so everyone can eat together, no matter which service(s) they attend - is definitely one of them. But before that, there's a tradition that Unitarian Universalists all across the continent take part in: Mitten Tree Sunday.
This tradition started a long time ago, in the middle of the previous century, as a way for UUs to help their friends, fellow congregants, and neighbours who had trouble making ends meet. Scarves, hats, and mitts make a big difference when it comes to keeping warm, but they can be easy to lose when your five - or even fifteen (we've all been there) - and replacing them isn't in everyone's budget. Especially not when you and your family are stuck sleeping in a "sprung structure" or a community centre dorm with dozens of other people.
At our church, we collect winter woolies in kid, teen, and young adult sizes and send them to The Snowsuit Fund or other local organizations for distribution. Everyone brings something - or picks up an item or two from the Knitting Group's fundraiser table before the service - and we decorate our tree together.
This year, the service is on December 15. Maybe you'd like to join us?