The Arena of Man 12 Days of Christmas Traditions: Day 8, Candlelight Christmas Service

When I was a kid growing up, I had a great aunt that would always leave from our family gathering on Christmas Eve to attend the candlelight service at her church. I can remember as a kid thinking how silly it was to leave all of the family festivities to go to a church and sing songs by candlelight. Fast-forward about 15 years when I found myself with my wife and daughter at our first candlelight Christmas service, and how impactful that experience was for me and my family. I now realize that Aunt Kathleen knew the greater value.

It doesn’t have to be a choice between spending time with extended family and attending the candlelight service. These services are actually pretty common, and also sensitive to the busyness of Christmas. That being said, the services are usually brief and allow you to return to family activities with a full heart.

The encouragement for today is to make this tradition a center piece for your family’s celebration. These special services provide an opportunity to truly focus your heart and mind on the true meaning of Christmas. We can so easily lose sight of the celebration of the birth of Christ in the midst of the gift exchanges and huge dinners. I have no doubt that choosing to attend a candlelight service on Christmas Eve will greatly enhance your joy at Christmas…in fact, I guarantee it!

Comment below and let us know where you attend a candlelight service.