“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, ‘God is with us.'”
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Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year. It is the feast of the incarnation—God becoming flesh—a uniquely Christian teaching: the Divine choosing to become one of us. It is a celebration of God’s love made tangible, a love that enters our world not as a distant idea but as a living, breathing presence. We gather as a Church every year to honor and share this miraculous gift.
At Saint Barnaba, Christmas Eve is not just a service; it’s an experience that envelops us with the warmth of community, the joy of tradition, and the awe of the divine mystery. As the evening approaches, the church fills with anticipation, and there’s no better way to begin the celebration than by witnessing the children’s Christmas pageant led by our director of children’s ministries, Sarah Petersen.
Dressed in wonderful costumes, the children take center stage with wide-eyed excitement. They may be a little nervous, but their faces shine with joy and wonder, just like the star above Bethlehem that night many years ago. As the first notes of the familiar carols fill the air, the room grows quiet. Families gather together, leaning in to catch every word, every note. The children’s voices bring something magical to the evening, and you can’t help but be moved by their earnestness as we hear the narration of the birth of Jesus.
The pageant is more than just a performance; it is a living expression of the Christmas story, seen through the eyes of the youngest members of our parish. Their voices echo the age-old message of hope, peace, and love. As we watch them, it becomes clear: there is something truly special about celebrating Christmas together as a family of faith, surrounded by the joy of children and the season’s warmth.
After the pageant, the evening continues with the beautiful liturgies of Christmas Eve. The choir, led by our talented musicians, fills the church with beautiful hymns, and the orchestra accompanies the service, creating a rich and reverent soundscape that helps us step closer to the sacred mystery of Christ’s birth.
Saint Barnabas’s Christmas Eve services beautifully combine the joy of family, the wonder of children, and the majesty of the liturgy. As the night unfolds, we are enveloped in the magic of Christmas, not just as a celebration of the past but as a present reality—God with us, now and forever. Thank you to all the people who made this joyous event possible!
