A Christmas Eve Poem for St. Alban’s

With my deepest apologies to Clement C. Moore, please enjoy (or at least pretend to enjoy) this little poem that contains some helpful information about our upcoming Christmas Eve services at St. Alban’s:

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Church,

Worshipers scurried to find the best perch.

The people, they came from all over Norman’s Lake

To seek Jesus at St. Alban’s, for goodness sake.

The nave filled up quickly—no room? What a bummer!

Not to worry! The Parish Hall will welcome latecomers.

The altar was set and the poinsettias looked rosy

The Flower Guild made everything festive and cozy.

The Children’s Choir, excited and a little bit nervous,

Warmed up their voices for the 3 o’clock service.

Ms. Courtney had all the costumes ready and waiting

In hopes that the Pageant cast would soon be narrating.

Under the tree, new Teddy Bears were piled,

For kids seeking shelter, just like the Christ Child.

Parking got crowded between three and five,

so neighbors walked over, rather than drive.

Extra ushers were recruited to welcome new faces,

And folks cheerfully scooched over, making more spaces.

Hundreds of bulletins were printed and prepared,

But when they started running low, families shared.

The 5 o’clock service was filled to the brim

As the Parish Choir sang carols to celebrate Him.

Then ’twas time for the clergy to take a quick rest

Ere midnight mass (yes, it’s late, but the BEST!)

At 11 p.m. we gather once more

To honor and give thanks for the One we adore.

Near the stroke of twelve, we sing ‘Silent Night’

And all is calm, and all is bright.

With candles lit and voices raised,

Our Lord, Emmanuel, will be praised!

As our Advent season progresses, I find that I am so looking forward to another Christmas with you, St. Alban’s. Last year, we were blown away by the numbers of people who joined us for worship. We want everyone who comes to have a welcoming and joyful experience, so some of the notes in the poem above are worth repeating.

• The Parish Hall will be set up for overflow seating. This is also a great option for those who may need a bit more wiggle room!

• Please walk or carpool as you are able, to help us manage our parking.

• We are still looking for folks to serve as ushers, as we anticipate needing a few extra hands on deck at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

• Please be mindful of filling every seat…please do not leave any “buffer chairs” between households at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

• If you prefer a less crowded worship experience, consider the 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Holy Eucharist or the Christmas Day Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. Both are beautiful, and typically offer ample space to spread out.

Thank you for helping us navigate the coming Christmas Eve services with joy and plenty of grace!

Yours in Christ,

Carmen