Amid COVID restrictions, church delivers ‘Christmas Eve in a box’
Harvest Church in Eugene, Ore., will hold an online-only Christmas Eve service this year due to surging COVID-19 cases. But the church is helping families and their neighbors worship together by delivering Christmas Eve in a box. Harvest handed out 200 boxes with candles, chocolates, hot cocoa, candy canes, postage-stamped outreach cards, the Gospel, and ornaments shaped like the Christmas star—everything a family needs to hold their own candlelight vigil service, and invite a neighbor or two.
>Related: The New York Times reports churches are modifying traditionally grand Christmas concerts for smaller audiences
Los Angeles County lifts worship ban in time for Christmas
After the U.S. Supreme Court ordered lower courts in some states to reconsider cases involving COVID-19 restrictions on churches, Los Angeles County reversed its ban on indoor worship gatherings. The High Court ruled first in favor of New York houses of worship seeking relief from restrictions, sparking a series of religious liberty victories for churches.
Americans plan for different holiday season
About half of all Americans whose Christmas usually includes attending a church service say the likelihood they’ll attend is the same this year, but 35% say it’s less likely in 2020. According to data from LifeWay Research, 65% noted at least one change they’ll make to how they celebrate this year. Two in 3 (65%) Americans noted at least one change they’ll make to the ways they celebrate this year. “Some Americans are reacting to the effects of COVID-19 by doubling down with plans to celebrate more,” said LifeWay Research’s Scott McConnell. “Other Americans will scale back their traditions likely due to safety, finances or their state of mind.”
Missionaries support Lottie Moon Offering
International Mission Board missionaries and staff pledged more than $800,000 to the 2020 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which supports more than 3,500 missionaries serving around the world. “Our IMB missionaries around the world and our stateside support staff wanted to lead by example as we asked Southern Baptists to give more generously than ever before to get the gospel to the nations,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood.
The goal for the 2020 offering is $175 million, in honor of IMB’s 175-year history. If the goal is met, it would be the largest Lottie Moon Offering ever.
Sources: Baptist Press, The New York Times, Christian Post, Illinois Baptist, LifeWay Research, International Mission Board