CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE CHICAGO TEMPLE
This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. Therefore, we have slightly adjusted both our normal Sunday and traditional Christmas Eve schedule of services.
In the morning, we will have ONE service at 10 a.m. This service will focus on the fourth Sunday in Advent. It will be our usual order of worship, and communion will be celebrated.
At 4 p.m., we will be offering a service of Lessons and Carols. While this is a very traditional service, it is not one we have used in recent years. This service dates back to 1880 and is a simple, family-friendly service. As the name implies, it is focused on a series of Scripture readings beginning with the creation story and moving up to the birth of the Christ Child. Following each of the nine readings there will be a congregational carol or a special anthem by the choir. This is a simple service focusing our attention on the story of the coming and birth of Jesus. There will be no sermon, communion, or candle lighting at this service.
The fourth floor nursery will be available to families for the 10 a.m. service from 9:45 – 11:30 a.m. and for the 4 p.m. service from 3:45 – 5:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m., we will be holding our traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight service with communion and the lighting of candles. There will be no 11 a.m. service this year.