Festive Events of Advent and Christmas in the ACNA
As the earth swiftly turns towards the coldest and darkest days of the calendar year, the Anglican community keeps churches and souls warm with a flurry of heartening activities to mark the season. Christ is coming, and if he should come this winter, he will find Anglicans across the ACNA preparing for his return as they sing and anticipate his first Advent according to the long-tread paths laid out for us in the ritual year.
From traditional Advent devotions to services of Lessons & Carols, youth celebrations, and the main event of the Christ-mass, whether on the Eve or on Christmas day, I’ve looked around the ACNA to showcase the variety of ways that Anglicans are celebrating the Nativity this season. I hope you’ll enjoy seeing what your kindred in Christ have planned across the province and perhaps take some inspiration, whether it’s cosy or contemplative.
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Lessons & Carols and Caroling Services
One especially cherished, though somewhat modern, tradition (by Anglican reckoning) is the Nine Lessons and Carols service. First introduced by The Rev. Eric Milner-White to the chapel of King’s College “as a gift to the city of Cambridge” after World War I (read the whole story here), “Lessons & Carols” is a favorite across the ACNA, whether done in Christmastide or during Advent. Others enjoy gathering in a more casual setting to sing carols together. Singing carols has a heartening effect on weary souls, even as they carry the good news through freezing air to grateful ears.
- Community Lessons & Carols (St. Luke’s, Hilton Head Island, SC): St. Luke’s Anglican invites attendees on December 18, beginning at 6:00 p.m., to hear readings from Scripture and sing familiar and less familiar carols, followed by cookies and cocoa. The service is family-friendly, and childcare will be available for children 5 years and under.
- Christmas Caroling Caravan(St. Peter’s Cathedral, Tallahassee, FL): St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral invites the whole family to join their annual intergenerational Christmas Caroling Caravan on Friday, December 19, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This joyful tradition provides an opportunity to share the good news with neighbors during the Advent season.
- • Family Lessons and Carols(The Falls Church, Falls Church, VA): The Falls Church will observe this time-honored tradition on Saturday, December 20, at 4 p.m., featuring families and the TFCA Children’s Choirs, followed by a reception.
- Lessons & Carols at Holy Communion (Church of the Holy Communion, Dallas, TX): This service is scheduled for December 21 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Christmas Carol Sing-Along(Christ Church, El Paso, TX): On Sunday, December 21, at 6 p.m., guest musician Trey Lindsley will lead a Christmas Carol Sing-Along for young and old alike, followed by Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and apple cider.
Youth and Children’s Events
Many celebrations are tailored to fit the piety and schedule of the whole family this time of year. Some are explicitly dedicated for younger participants to meditate on and enjoy the themes of the season. These events offer festive activities with youngsters and families in mind:
- Youth Christmas Party (Holy Trinity, Edmonds, WA): Holy Trinity is hosting its final Friday Night Gathering of the year on December 19, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. PST, featuring food, games, and fun.
- Christmas Camp (St. Andrew’s Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC): St. Andrew’s Church is hosting a Christmas Camp from December 21 to 23 for children ages 3K through 5th Grade, featuring a “road trip through the story of the birth of Jesus”. The camp will culminate with a Christmas Family Dinner at 6 pm on Sunday, the 21st.
- Pop-Up Pageant(Church of the Resurrection, Washington, DC): The Church of the Resurrection is hosting a rehearsal-free pop-up pageant on January 4, 2026, for any child who can walk independently, with the performance scheduled from 4-4:30.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Worship Services
It is always best to keep the “mass” in Christmas (even if your “churchmanship” doesn’t incline you to call it “mass“). Anglican congregations are offering a range of worship opportunities, from festive family gatherings to contemplative late-night vigils, to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity.
Christmas Eve Services
- • All Saints Crestline (Fort Worth, TX): Offers three services: a Children’s Crèche at 3:00 p.m., a Crèche & Candlelight service at 5:00 p.m., and a final Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m.
- Holy Trinity (Edmonds, WA): Offers a service of Lessons and Carols from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. PST, and a late-night service from 11:00 p.m. extending into Christmas morning.
- All Saints (Pawleys Island, SC): Services include a Children’s Pageant at 4:00 p.m. (with childcare), a Candlelight Service at 6:00 p.m. (with childcare), and a final Candlelight Service at 11:00 p.m. in the Old Church.
- Christ Church Plano (Plano, TX): Services include a Family Service at 4 p.m. and multiple Candlelight Services at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m., with childcare available at all services.
- Church of Our Savior Oatlands (Leesburg, VA): Services include Lessons & Carols at 5:00 p.m. and Christmas Eve Holy Communion at 11:00 p.m.
- St. Vincent’s Cathedral (Bedford, TX): Offerings include Holy Eucharist Sung with a Children’s Message at 5:00 p.m., a Prelude of Carols at 10:30 p.m., and Midnight Mass Sung at 11:00 p.m.
- All Saints Church (Amesbury, MA): Hosts a Candlelight Service on December 24 at 5:00 p.m., which includes worship, carols, and a special kids lesson, followed by cookies and cocoa.
- Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Hosts a Candlelight Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 5:30 p.m.
- St. George’s Anglican Church (Helmetta, NJ): Offers a Christmas Eve Worship Service from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Bishop Seabury Anglican Church (Gales Ferry, CT): The church is holding a Carol Sing at 6:30 p.m., followed by Holy Communion at 7:00 p.m.
- St. Thomas Anglican (Gainesville, VA): Hosts its annual service of Christmas Lessons & Carols on the Eve of Christmas at 7 p.m., sung in the beauty of their candlelit church.
- St. Peter’s Cathedral (Tallahassee, FL): The Cathedral offers four Christmas Eve services at 12:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m., all including Holy Communion, Bible readings, and classic hymns. The 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. services include childcare and a children’s sermon. The later services at 8:00 pm and 11:00 p.m. are more contemplative and may feature incense and candle lighting.
Christmas Day Services
- Holy Eucharist Said (St. Vincent’s Cathedral, Bedford, TX): Offered at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Chapel.
- Christmas Day Service (Holy Trinity, Edmonds, WA): Held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PST, this family service celebrates the start of the season of Christmastide.
- Christmas Day Service (Trinity Anglican Church, Connersville, IN): Held at 10:30 a.m.
- Christmas Day Service (Christ Church Plano, TX): Held at 11 a.m.
- Christmas Day Service (Bishop Seabury Anglican Church, Gales Ferry, CT): Held at 12:00 Noon.
A Wish for a Joyful Christmas
This is a small sampling of festive joy expressions I found and published from parish listings online. If yours is listed here, then I thank you for making it easy to find! If your own parish’s holiday events weren’t listed here (or on our dedicated events page here), then I invite you to use the form at the bottom of our events page and share with our readers what’s happening in your neck of the woods! We’d love to hear from you!
Wishing you a blessed Advent season and a joyful Christmas from Anglican Compass!
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