By Rubin E. Grant
For years, as part of Mountain Brook Community Church’s Christmas Eve candlelight service, senior pastor Tim Kallam has had young children come to the front to quiz them.
He would ask them questions such as what is their favorite Christmas song or what is their favorite Christmas present.
But this Christmas Eve, Kallam will do his fun interviews beforehand, and they will be shown on video screens for the congregants to watch.
It’s one of the changes MBCC is making in Christmas programming because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but MBCC is just one of many Over the Mountain churches making alterations to their holiday services because of the coronavirus. Others are moving programs outside or offering shorter versions to smaller crowds, among other steps to make observances safer.
“We’re kind of approaching everything like we have since March, when we went to strictly online services for a few months,” Kallam said. “We’ll be exercising caution with the protocols we’ve put in place since we started regathering, such as wearing masks and social distancing and limiting the number of people who can attend a service.”
In the past, MBCC has had two Christmas Eve services, one late afternoon and one early evening. But this Christmas Eve that will change.
MBCC will offer limited capacity in-person services at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Nursery programming will be available, but all children pre-K and older will attend the service. Face masks will be required for everyone 4 years and older while in the building. Registration will be required, and registration will open Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. All three Christmas Eve services also will be live streamed.
First Baptist Church of Birmingham is doing a drive-thru presentation called “First Lights,” which shares the story of Christmas, Dec. 10-12.
People can stay in their cars the entire time as they interact with a video welcome, encounter ancient prophets and listen to the music of a contemporary band and traditional choir.
They also will see a re-enactment of Christ’s birth and engage with a narrated light show as they pass through the parking lot of the church on Lakeshore Drive.
“We’re excited about it,” said Larry Byrd, a First Baptist member who was on the planning committee for the drive-thru. “It’s something we haven’t done before. We were looking for something different because of COVID and we were able to put this together.
“Everybody within the Birmingham community can drive by and see this.”
Shades Mountain Baptist Church recorded a musical called Hope is Alive, a hour-long Christmas special, that was televised Dec. 6 on WBRC Fox 6. In addition to that broadcast, LifeWay will be distributing the program across the country and the world throughout December.
The program features Shades Mountain Baptist musical talent and others sharing thoughts and stories, as well as recording artists Drew and Elle Holcomb.
Dawson Memorial Baptist Church will present Candlelight 2020 Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. at Homewood’s Waldrop Stadium.
Dawson’s special tradition was reimagined this year as an outdoor worship gathering. Dawson’s Sanctuary Choir & Orchestra and its combined student choirs will present a night of seasonal favorites, culminating in the singing of “Silent Night.”
Because of limited seating availability, registration is required. Learn more and register online at dawsonchurch.org/candlelight. Parking is free. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m., and seating preferences will be honored on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Dawson’s Christmas Eve service will take place on the sanctuary front lawn at 5 p.m.
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church will have outdoor Christmas Eve services at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. All services will be identical and will be 30 minutes in length. Reservations will not be required but registration will. Child care will be available for all services except 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
To enable as safe a service as possible, VHUMC will be installing a 120-foot by 40-foot clear plastic tent parallel to the sanctuary. Kentucky Avenue will be closed to traffic all evening, allowing people to sit or stand under the tent or under the stars. Heaters will be around the tent. A few chairs will be provided for those who need to sit, but people are encouraged to bring their own chairs or to stand around the edges of the tent. As with all VHUMC services, masks will be required and social distancing is encouraged at all times.
Saint Francis Xavier Parish is making adjustments to seating and the length of its Christmas program.
“The Saint Francis Xavier Parish has always offered overflow seating for Christmas services,” the Rev. Joe Culotta said. “Because of the pandemic, those spaces will be expanded to better accommodate visitors in a safe and responsible manner. All services will be shortened and will not last quite as long.
“Several children’s activities associated with the celebration of Christ’s birth have had to be canceled. Depending on state, county and city restrictions, we may have to modify our preparations further as Christmas approaches.”
Culotta said the church has communicated with parishioners the protocol for attending services, including the wearing of masks and social distancing. He also is cognizant of the sacrifices being made by support staff.
“Our cleaning and video website crews are, unfortunately, going to have to work during the holiday to provide for those wishing to participate in Christmas mass on campus and from home,” Culotta said. “We’re grateful to gather this year, especially with so much uncertainty and heavy burdens for many that have been caused by the pandemic.”
