I have been attending Christmas Eve services at First Presbyterian Church for 40 years. I remember years when it was so crowded that you had to come an hour early to get a good seat. I remember wiggly children who evolved into candle and banner carrying acolytes and grandchildren who dozed off with their head on my shoulder. Early on the services ran from 11pm to 12:30am. In later years the service started at 10pm, perhaps a nod to our aging congregation. Always there was glorious music and enthusiastic singing and the old familiar scripture readings. Like so much else in 2020 this evening's service was different. It was prerecorded so I could choose my own start time. 7:15 worked for me. The songs were still lovely, the scriptures familiar although the only occupants of the sanctuary were the organist, soloists and pastors, plus the sound and camera people. While it felt very different to be sitting here in my living room attending Christmas Eve service, I find that .there are some things I really do appreciate about 'couch church.' I like to feel that the pastor is speaking right to me and I love to watch the organist play thanks to a well placed camera in the balcony. A nod to our Trinity English neighbors, my favorite prelude piece this evening was Robert Hobby's "Fanfare on Hark the Herald Angels Sing." As always with my couch church attendance, as I relax and tune out the world it does become a worshipful experience and for that I am very grateful. Joy to the World everyone, enjoy this Silent Night and have a blessed Christmas.
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