Christmas Eve Pro Tips // M-Note 12.20.2025

It is my favorite week of the year! I hope you are making plans to join me for worship at The Gathering. Over the course of a year, it is easy to drift from faith. Christmas is a time when God invites us back to what is most important in life. I will be sharing a hopeful message about the way Jesus can recenter us on what life is really about. It is a message that many of us need to hear (including me)! 

As we get ready, I wanted to give you all the essential information, as well as a few pro tips as you plan your Christmas Eve:

1. Going out of town or hosting on Christmas Eve? No worries -- we have two more early services Monday and Tuesday at 7 pm at our McCausland site. Same great service, just a day (or two) earlier!

2. For those with kids, we have our second Kid’s Christmas worship service TODAY at 3pm at our McCausland site. This service is a ton of fun because it is specifically kid-centered and followed by a bunch of fun Christmas activities. It includes a petting zoo, decorating sugar cookies, a bounce house, learning the Christmas story, and is a highlight of the year for families. I hope to see you this afternoon, and please invite other families to come along with you. Details are here.

3. Trying to figure out what service is best for you? We have multiple services at each site starting at 2pm. Each service will include amazing music from our bands, a special string quartet, a candle-lit Silent Night, and me preaching live. If you have flexibility, consider one of the evening services as they tend to be less crowded. You’ll find a complete schedule on our website and App.

4. Nervous about bringing along your kids to the Christmas Eve services? Don’t be! We love having kids participate in worship, and we also have kids ministry for ages 0-5. For a full schedule of when and where kids ministry will be available, check out our website.

5. Worshiping online? Our Christmas Eve worship service will be live streamed at 4pm and then available on demand immediately following. You can watch whenever it is convenient for you! The best way to watch the service is on our YouTube Channel or on our website. I also hope you’ll share the service on social media or with people you think will find it meaningful.

6. Don’t forget about the offering! 100% of the offering at all of our Christmas Eve services will go to fund a new pre- and post-natal health center in Mozambique. Last year’s offering was over $320,000. We didn’t get there by people throwing in a few dollars. Many of you prayed and prepared to give generously. I hope we will be ready to give generously once again knowing that THIS gift is one that will truly change and save lives.You will be able to give online here or on the App.

7. Finally, Christmas Eve is better with friends. Invite your friends to join you for worship. It can be the most meaningful gift you give someone, and you might be amazed at who is waiting for an invitation. Post the services on social media, give someone a card, or better yet, invite them to meet you there.

8. Don’t forget to follow us on social media (links to all our channels are below) and share your pictures of Christmas Eve with us. We will have a photo booth at each site and many great spots for a family picture. We love seeing your pictures from Christmas Eve worship.

Help us make this holiday a special one at The Gathering. Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the year. I cannot wait to see you in worship and meet your family and friends.

Peace,
Matt

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