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Christmas Eve worship - December 24, 2025
At Broadway United Methodist Church, Council Bluffs Iowa

4:00 PM Contemporary/Alternative Worship
Join us about 15 minutes early for caroling in the Sanctuary
Featuring - Children's No-Rehearsal Children's Pageant (all children are welcome)
Praise Band led singing, Communion, Candle Lighting

7:00 PM Traditional Style Worship
Organ led Christmas Carols
Pastor Brian's Message: The Light of the World
Communion
Candle Lighting to Silent Night
Organ and Trumpet led Joy to the world

As a child, Christmas Eve was about family gathering at a grandparent's home for potluck dinner and small gifts - Martha and Roy had many grandchildren and our gift limit at that time was $2.00. But, they never disappointed.

After clean up, my cousins and I would disappear upstairs for a game of spoons before we all went home.  The next morning as the youngest it was my responsibility to get everyone out of bed early and gathered around the Christmas tree. My sisters didn't always appreciate that, but I took the job quite seriously.

As a young family, we recreated many of the same traditions of our childhood.  It was after relocating and finding and joining a church that those traditions took on new meaning. I mean, I already knew the story of Christmas but after being in a faith community, I began a discover a deeper meaning of what that story means for me.

If I am honest though, I have moments as a church worker when our major holidays become another set of tasks to check off a list.  And then, the service starts. As I move through the service - the organ plays, we hear scripture, kids sing, the band plays, we hear the message, we share communion, we light candles, we sing "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World" somewhere in there I shift out of my head and into my heart, from the to do list to the presence of  God and community. My thinking that Christmas Eve is the date to put a pin in as the day God is with us unravels as I start to feel God reply, "I have been here all the time and will continue to be with you through eternity." 

If you are looking for a place that is affirming and accepting, the people of Broadway invite you to join us this Christmas Eve to remember that there is light in this world and a God that loves us ALL fully and unconditionally - ALL THE TIME. Come as you are. All are invited to communion at the Lord's table, but we will leave that up to you. Stay for family photos around the Christmas tree - we'd be happy to help.

Peace,
Teresa