Local churches bring cheer this year with in-person + virtual musical services
Reading time: 8 minutes
The sights of the holidays are here in Birmingham with glorious lights and decorations, but what about the sounds of the holidays? We’ve done some digging and found a joyous list of local churches offering musical Christmas services this year. Here’s what we found.
1. All Saints Episcopal Church of Birmingham
Christmas Caroling 2020
- What: Independent caroling
- When: Wednesday, December 16 at 6PM
- Instructions: Participating carolers will drive by All Saints to pick up instructions and hot chocolate to go. Stay in the car for pick up. Each participating family carols independently and is given the name/address of a parishioner to visit. Sing a few Christmas carols in their yard (socially distanced) and wish them a Merry Christmas.
- Sign up here to take part in the event.
Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist Service
- What: Music, imagery and liturgy.
- Extras: Pick up pre-consecrated Communion and a candle to light during the Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist online service. Pick up times – 8:30-10AM and Noon-2PM.
- When: Tuesday, December 24 at 4PM, 7PM + 10:30PM
- Watch via Facebook or Vimeo.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Asbury United Methodist Church
Virtual Candlelight Communion Service
What: Carols, candles + communion. Pick up a pre-made Christmas Eve Bag filled with candles, communion elements + advent devotionals. Pick up your bags on Thursday, December 24 between 1-4PM at Asbury.
When: Thursday, December 24 at 8PM
Where: Watch online
Reserve your Christmas Eve Bag here.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
3. Briarwood Presbyterian Church
A Briarwood Christmas in Living Portraits
What: Beloved classical + contemporary music of Advent by the Briarwood Music, Ballet + Drama Ministries.
When: Sunday, December 20
Where: Online
Watch the livestream here.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
When: Thursday, December 24 at 3PM, 5PM + 7PM | Communion Candlelight Services at 9PM + 11PM
Where: 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, AL 35243
Registration required to attend. (Bring proof of registration to service.)
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
4. Cathedral Church of the Advent
Virtual Choral Services
- What: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with The Cathedral Choir. Featuring the music of Wood, Ravenscroft, Willcocks, Joubert, Wadsworth, Pettman, Darke, Pearsall, Cornelius + Teardo.
- When: Thursday, December 17 at 5:30PM + Friday, December 25 at 10AM
- Where: watch here.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Christmas Eve Services
- Where: 2017 Sixth Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- When: Monday, December 21 – Thursday, December 24
- Registration required to attend.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
5. Church of the Highlands
In-Person Christmas Services
What: Worship, candlelight + more
When: Sunday, December 20 at 9AM + 11AM | Thursday, December 24 at 5PM
Where: Each Church of the Highlands Campus. Select your campus here.
Reserve your seat for in-person services.
At-Home Christmas Services
What: At-Home Christmas at Highlands celebration experience with worship, candlelight + more. At-Home Kit with cookies, hot chocolate, candles + more provided upon registration.
When: Saturday, December 19 at 5PM + 7PM | Sunday, December 20 at 9AM, 11AM, 5PM + 7PM | Tuesday, December 22 at 5PM + 7PM | Wednesday, December 23 at 5PM + 7PM
Where: Watch online here.
At-Home Experience Kits Pick Up: Every campus on Sunday, December 13th from 1-3PM + Monday, December 14th from 11AM-1PM + 4:30-7PM.
Reserve your At-Home Kit here.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
6. Dawson Memorial Baptist Church
Psalms – Songs of Hope
- What: Pastor David teaches through beloved Psalms.
- When: Wednesday, December 16 at 6PM
- Where: Watch online here
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
7. Faith Chapel Birmingham
What: Traditional worship service
Where: Watch online via Live Stream or on Facebook
When: Sunday, December 20 at 9:30AM
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
8. First Baptist Church Trussville
Christmas Music and Worship
- What: Special guests lead in Christmas music and worship.
- Where: Watch the live stream here
- When: Every Sunday in December
Candelight Services
- What: Christmas worship and candlelight services.
- Where: Watch the live stream here or register to attend in person at 128 N Chalkville Rd, Trussville, AL 35173.
- When: Sunday, December 20 at 5PM | Wednesday, December 23 at 5PM | Thursday, December 24 at 3PM | Thursday, December 25 at 5PM | Thursday, December 24 at 9PM
9. First Presbyterian Church Birmingham
Longest Night Service
- What: Contemplative music + prayer.
- Where: Watch via Youtube
- When: Monday, December 21 from 4-5PM
Recorded Lessons & Carols
Socially Distanced Service
- What: Christmas Eve service. *Masks required.
- Where: 2100 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- When: Thursday, December 24 at 4:30PM
Website | Facebook | Instagram
10. Highlands United Methodist Church
Online Worship Service
- Where: Watch on Church website or on Facebook
- When: Thursday, December 24 at 10:30AM
Drive-Through Communion
- What: Holy Communion and moment of prayer with Highlands clergy. No reservations required. *Masks required.
- When: Thursday, December 24 from Noon-1PM
- Where: Church parking lot. 1045 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
Walk-Through Communion
- What: Holy Communion, moment of prayer with Highlands clergy + organ solos. Limited capacity—reservations required. *Masks required.
- When: Thursday, December 24 from 1:30-2PM
- Where: Church sanctuary. 1045 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
Come and Go Communion
- What: Holy Communion, moment of prayer with Highlands Clery, choral ensemble + organ solos. Limited capacity—reservations required. *Masks required.
- When: Thursday, December 24 at 3-4PM + 5-6PM
- Where: Church sanctuary. 1045 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
Silent Night Candle Lighting
- What: Virtual gathering with candles + singing.
- When: Thursday, December 24 at 7PM
- Where: Watch on Facebook
Website | Facebook | Instagram
11. Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Holy Unction (Healing Service)
- What: Holy Unction service Greek/English. *Masks required for in-person attendance.
- When: Wednesday, December 23 from 6-7:15PM
- Where: 307 19th St S, Birmingham, Alabama 35233 or watch the livestream
Nativity Eve Service
- What: Divine Liturgy Greek/English. *Masks required for in-person attendance.
- When: Thursday, December 24 from 6:30-8PM
- Where 307 19th St S, Birmingham, Alabama 35233 or watch the livestream
12. Huffman Baptist Church
Christmas Worship Service
- What: Christmas-focused + music-heavy worship service
- When: Sunday, December 27 at 10:30AM
- Where: 700 Huffman Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215 or watch on Facebook
13. Independent Presbyterian Church
Christmas Worship Service
- What: Service of Nine Lessons & Carols. Clergy and full choir will safely participate in traditional Christmas Eve service with candle lighting, carols + traditional readings, music + prayers.
- Where: Watch via Youtube and Facebook
- When: Thursday, December 24 at 4PM
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
14. New Life Church
- What: Prayer + worship
- When: Wednesday, December 23 from 7-9PM
- Where: Watch on Facebook
15. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Birmingham
- What: Sunday worship
- Where: 228 Dennison Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211
- When: Sunday, December 20 at 10AM
16. The Cathedral of Saint Paul
Christmas Eve Mass
When: Thursday, December 24
Where: 2120 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Schedule:
- 3:30PM: Christmas Eve Mass celebrated by Fr. Jerabek (*masks required)
- 5PM: Christmas Eve Mass celebrated by Fr. Jerabek (4:30PM – Prelude)
- 8PM: Christmas Eve Mass celebrated by Bishop Steven Raica (7:30PM – Prelude)
- 11:15PM: Sung Office of Readings, Christmas Proclamation and Te Deum
- 12AM: Midnight Mass celebrated by Fr. Jerabek
Christmas Day Mass
When: Friday, December 25
Where: 2120 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
Schedule:
- 8:30AM: Christmas Day Mass celebrated by Fr. Jerabek (*masks required)
- 10AM: Christmas Day Mass celebrated by Bishop Steven Raica (9:45AM – Prelude)
17. The Church at Liberty Park
Christmas Eve Services
What: A celebration of Christ through music, prayer, telling of His story, the lighting of candles + the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. *Masks required for in-person attendance.
When: Thursday, December 24 at 2:30PM, 4PM, 5:30PM + 11PM
Where: 12001 Liberty Pkwy, Vestavia Hills, AL 35242 or watch the Live Stream via Youtube
Reservations required to attend in person.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
18. Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham
Blue Holiday Service
- What: For those grieving this season.
- When: Tuesday, December 22 at 7PM
- Watch via Zoom here.
Drive-In Christmas Eve Service
- What: Christmas Eve Service from the comfort of your car.
- When: Thursday, December 24 at 4PM
- Where: 4300 Hampton Heights Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209 or watch the livestream here
Website | Facebook | Instagram
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