By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

This year Dec. 25 falls on a Sunday, a day when many churches hold regular services. For many in the Christian church, this time of celebrating the birth of Christ could not be on a better day.

“I’ve always enjoyed when Christmas came on a Sunday,” said the Rev. Barbara Brewi, associate pastor at First United Methodist in Clanton. “To be able to sing ‘joy to the world, the Lord is come’ knowing that’s today is great. I think it makes it more significant.”

The carols, hymns and scriptures on Christmas day will serve as a reminder for many of why they celebrate Christmas. For some, Brewi hopes, these times will be akin to family celebrations and will provide hope and joy.

“You may be away from your family, or they may be gone, but it’s still Christmas,” Brewi said. “There’s still Jesus, and we are a family of God. I hope that it’ll be a time that we turn our eyes beyond what’s happening in our world and look up.”

Whether you prefer traditional, contemporary, candlelit or communion services, there is a church service for you this Christmas. Doors will be flung wide to any and all at these events, as pastors share what the Christian church holds as the meaning of Christmas.

“It’s about the greatest gift that mankind’s ever been given: God’s son, Jesus, to save us from our sins and for eternal life,” the Rev. Rex Kent of Jemison First Baptist said.

Christmas Eve

-Services at First United Methodist Church of Clanton, 207 8th Street North in Clanton. Contemporary service at 5:00 p.m., traditional service at 6:30 p.m.

-Candlelight Service at Pates Chapel Baptist Church, 190 County Road 295 in Jemison, from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

-Communion at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, 2930 County Road 49 in Clanton, from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Christmas Day

-Service at FUMC at 10:00 a.m. in the main sanctuary.

–Worship Service at Jemison First Baptist Church, 24348 US 31, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

–Service at Lomax Assembly in Clanton, 17580 US 31, from 3:00-4:30 p.m.