Merry Christmas Eve!

Dear Friends, 

The title of my Christmas Eve message tonight is, “When All We Can Do is Sing!”  The story of God coming to Earth – God becoming human – is a story I believe is best told through song. And while the virtual service we are offering tonight will be beautiful and special, it will certainly not the Christmas Eve any of us imagined or wanted this year. Our hearts long to gather together and sing the story of our Savior’s birth.

Due to the pandemic, it’s likely that most of your holiday traditions look very different this year. Whether that means you’re not traveling to see extended family or the dinner table has fewer seats than usual, the changes to your rituals can stir up many different emotions from grief to anxiety or even anger.

It’s okay to mourn the loss of this season and the way it used to be. If you can’t be home for the holidays, remember that home is wherever “the love light gleams,” as the old song says. My wish for tonight is that you will feel the love, prayers, and hope of your Bethel Pastors, Staff and Church family as you celebrate Christmas in a new way.  Let us always remember that the joy of this season is found in the promise of Emmanuel, God with us!

While we cannot sing together, we can sing along at home. Click on this link for a songbook of some beloved Christmas carols:  https://files.constantcontact.com/40cecef8501/b60b0cfd-1e2a-4d06-938e-89709decd67c.pdf.



No, this Christmas will not be the same. We will grieve the things we have lost, and with hope, start traditions anew.  One thing we can all do is sing. 

Lifting my voice with yours,
Pastor Julie Belman