Churches Prepare For Virtual Christmas Services: ‘Different, But No Less Special’

With just over two weeks until Christmas, Green Country churches are working through plans for Christmas services amid the pandemic.

Church leaders like Edith Guffey, Conference Minister for United Church of Christ's Kansas-Oklahoma Conference, said just because things will look different this year, it doesn't mean the holiday will be any less special.

"Christmas still happens whether or not we are gathered or scattered,” Guffey said. “Gathering at this year is just the wrong thing to do. Jesus says love your neighbors as you would love yourself, and this year that means staying apart."

Yale Avenue Christian Church's Minister Reverend Andy Campbell echoed her thoughts, highlighting safety concerns.

"I think the first thing you have to look at is to do no harm, and at this point we see there is too much potential for harm meeting in person," Campbell said.

Both are guiding their churches to keep sanctuaries empty and draw audiences online this Christmas. Rev. Campbell is going a step further, so his congregation feels like they're a part of the worship this year.

"We are actually in the midst of creating the Christmas Eve service and one of the things that we have focused on this year is wanting to see one another," Campbell said.

He's asking his congregation to send in video clips of themselves praying, singing, or just saying hello to be shown at the service.

"Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus and that doesn't stop with not being able to go into a building," Guffey said.

Rev. Campbell said the message of Christmas is more important than ever this year.

"This season of Advent and Christmas is about patience,” Campbell said. “It's about something new coming and it's going to bring light into the world, and I think that's a way we can look at this season. A season of waiting, knowing that something better is coming.”