Many churches tend to slow down during Christmas time. One event, though, consistently appears on the church calendar for December: the Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service. It’s a traditional service where people gather to celebrate the birth of Christ.

This service is beautiful and filled with rich meaning and Christmas cheer. If we’re honest, though, it can be tempting to skip it. Life is filled with distractions, especially in December—whether it’s Netflix, holiday treats, semi-dysfunctional families, or that comfy La-Z-Boy calling our names. I mean, who has time for a Christmas Eve service?

Distractions and busyness are not the only reasons we’re tempted to skip out on this service. There’s something else that tugs us in the opposite direction: spiritual warfare. Those three ancient enemies— the world, the flesh, and the devil—constantly seek to divert our attention from the kingdom of God and focus it on the kingdom of this world. As the Christmas Eve service rolls around, they tempt us to think about other things—lesser things.

With all this in mind, I want to share a few reasons why you should attend your church’s Christmas Eve service if your December calendar allows it.

The Word Will Be Preached

Throughout Scripture, God consistently works through the preaching of His Word. Consider this verse: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). When the Word about Christ is preached, the Spirit of Christ often works saving faith in unbelievers, bringing them to new life (John 3:5-6). That said, at your church’s Christmas Eve service, the Lord may work salvation in the hearts of unbelievers. Wouldn’t you hate to miss that?

God doesn’t only perform the miracle of salvation through the preaching of His Word; He also graciously sanctifies us and prepares us for good works. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Give thought to this: On Christmas Eve, if you’re attentive to the Word of God, the Lord will graciously strengthen your faith and further equip you to offer your body as a living sacrifice to Him. In other words, during the Christmas Eve service, the Lord may graciously allow you to make further progress in your Christian journey.

The Lord’s Supper Will Be Observed

Many churches participate in the Lord’s Supper during the Christmas Eve service. The Lord’s Supper is a God-ordained ceremony that Christ gave to the church. On one hand, the ceremony is a visible sermon. As we participate in it, the Spirit instructs us not through words, but through the bread and the cup. C.H. Spurgeon would tell his congregation, “The Supper of the Lord is simple, and its teaching is straightforward. It is designed to keep the person and work of Christ vividly present in the minds of His people.” When we see and partake in the bread and the cup, the Spirit reminds us of the broken body and the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. For this reason, Spurgeon frequently referred to communion as a “feast of remembrance.”

However, the Lord’s Supper is more than a visible sermon or a mere “feast of remembrance.” It also serves as a means of grace, providing a time of deep communion with the One whose body was broken and whose blood was shed. In the words of David Mathis, “The Table is not only a symbolic rite that we do, but it does something to us as we eat and drink in faith. The Table serves as a means of Christ’s ongoing grace to His church.” When we partake in the Lord’s Supper by faith, Christ blesses, nourishes, and strengthens our faith and grants us sanctifying grace. That said, wouldn’t you hate to miss such a precious time of communion with our gracious Savior?

The Family of God Will Be Present

During the Christmas holidays, you spend a significant amount of time with your family members—your kinfolk and blood relatives. While this aspect of the holiday season can be beautiful (for some), it’s essential for Christians, as the adopted children of God, to remember the family of God.

If you’re living the Christian life as God intends, you’re a member of a local church body. Under God’s guidance, you have covenanted to live the Christian life alongside fellow Christians who make up your local church. With this in mind, the Christmas Eve service allows you to do something countercultural: celebrate Christmas with the family of God rather than just your biological family. It will enable you to gather with fellow believers in Christ who share “one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:5-6). If you take this opportunity to celebrate Christmas with your church family, it will demonstrate to your kinfolk and blood relatives the centrality of the local church in the life of a Christian.

Theologically Rich Hymns Will Be Sung

Most of the Christmas hymns sung during the Christmas season are theologically rich and soul-stirring. If you pay close attention to the lyrics while singing, you can learn a significant amount about the Incarnation of the Son of God. These hymns often explain the who, what, and why of this important doctrine. Just take a look at these powerful words:

Hail! The heaven-born
Prince of Peace!
Hail! The Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!”

The lyrics contain allusions to both the Old Testament and the New Testament. They also explain the who, what, and why of the Incarnation, along with the doctrines of new birth and new creation. More than that, they are strategically written for the express purpose of causing you to exult in the Lord Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior. With that said, your Christmas Eve service will likely include theologically rich hymns that will instruct you and lead you to worshipful exultation.

It Will Be The Shortest Service of the Year

Most Christmas Eve services are short. The church staff knows the congregation is busy, so they typically prepare a concise order of service designed to nourish and edify your soul. It usually includes readings from Scripture, Christ-centered hymns, a brief message, communion, and possibly a candlelight portion. So, although you’re unreasonably busy, the Christmas Eve service is reasonably short.

You Won’t Regret It

Have you ever regretted sitting under the Word of God, participating in the Lord’s Supper, wishing your brothers and sisters in Christ a Merry Christmas, or singing hymns with the people of God? Of course not! Likewise, you will not regret attending the Christmas Eve service. In fact, it will make your Christmas much more enjoyable as you’re reminded of the gracious, humble, and loving Son of God who became flesh to save you from your sins.

I’m sure there are other reasons to attend your church’s Christmas Eve service. But for the sake of brevity, I’ll stop here. If you’re able to attend the Christmas Eve service, may the Lord fill your heart with joy and strengthen your faith.