Christmas Eve is the perfect time to come together with family, friends and neighbors to reflect on the season. This year, for the first time, the Bradford Alliance Church will offer a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Square.
This event is open to the entire community, not just those who regularly attend religious services.
“It is a simple time to gather and sing Christmas carols, have a candlelight service, hear the Christmas story and come together as a community,” said Pastor Rob Jeffrey.
“This is really what God has inspired us to do this year.”
In the past, the church has always had its regular indoor service. Although that was very popular, this year church leadership and staff decided to shake things up.
“Typically we have a packed house inside the walls of the church but ultimately, Christ wants us to engage with our community,” said Jeffrey. “We can’t do that from within four walls.”
There will be free cups of coffee and hot chocolate available to keep bodies warm during the service — but Jeffrey’s message is sure to set hearts ablaze.
“To me, the Christmas story is about new beginnings,” Jeffrey. “The One who created everything loved us enough to take on flesh and walk among us, face every temptation we face and somehow navigate a life without sin so that by his sacrifice we could be saved.”
This will be a chance to experience the joy of the season as the community comes together to share in the warmth of fellowship. Guests will be given candles and are asked to join in the singing.
“In the chaos of the season I hope we can pause for a moment and remember why we have this celebration to begin with,” said Jeffrey.
“2,000 years ago Christ was born and we pause to reflect on that and what it means in our lives.”
Church leadership has been preparing for this event with great anticipation.
“It was a matter of sitting down with the leadership of the church, worship leaders and staff and talking about what this would look like and who would bring what,” said Jeffrey.
“Then we had to get permits to make sure the square was available — it is a beautiful setting for the service.”
Those who want to attend should watch Bradford Alliance Church’s Facebook page for updates.
“Because this is a Pennsylvania winter, the event is weather permitting,” said Jeffrey. “If it is raining or seems particularly bad we will have our normal church service inside.”
Bradford Alliance Church is located at 240 Minard Run.
