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Christmas falls on a Monday this year. That means that Christmas Eve arrives on a Sunday, and some local churches are adjusting their services, amplifying them, and adding additional services in recognition of the “big day” on Monday.
For First Parish Church, in Town Square, the parish that traces its lineage back to the Pilgrims and the Pilgrims’ church, congregants will celebrate their Christmas Eve service in the chapel this year instead of in its meetinghouse.
“Due to ongoing construction issues at the Mayflower Meetinghouse, we will host the service in our chapel which is located up the hill from the Meetinghouse,” Rev. Arthur Lavoie said. “This will be a family service and all are welcome.”
The title of the Christmas Eve service is “Christmas Peace.” Whatever the circumstances, in meeting rooms large and small, the meaning of the celebration remains the same.
“We will be singing many of the familiar carols, and have a gospel reading as well as some contemporary readings about Christmas,” Lavoie said. “As is our practice, we will light candles and turn off the lights in the chapel to sing ‘Silent Night.’”
No Christmas Day services are planned the Unitarian-Universalist First Church. Lavoie became its minister in August of 2018, he said, “and the congregation has thrived despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.”
In Plymouth’s other church to claim a heritage that goes back to the town’s first settlers, The Church of the Pilgrimage, located at 8 Town Square, will hold two services on Sunday. The 10 a.m. worship service includes the lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle, the Candle of Love, and a Christmas Pageant enacted by children and adults.
Beginning at 9 p.m., the church’s Christmas Eve candlelight service will include lessons and carols. “We have readings, singing, and Holy Communion,” said Rev. Dianne Arakawa. The service will conclude with the singing of “Silent Night” and the lighting of candles.
The church, long known as Congregational, has been affiliated with the United Church of Christ since 1957, Rev. Arakawa said.
In an overview of its history, the church states on its website, “We are direct descendants of the Pilgrim’s First Church of Christ, known today as First Parish Church of Plymouth. While our theology is a bit different from our Pilgrim ancestors, we remain committed to their Trinitarianism, Congregationalism and the fervent belief that we will walk in God’s ways, known or to be made known to us.”
“We are a welcoming church, open and affirming,” Arakawa said. She became the church’s minister two and a half years ago.
Many of the town’s other churches have published their service schedules for the Christmas weekend online.
Shipyard Church will present “Christmas Eve at the Loring Center,” 384 Court St., beginning at 4 p.m. “Join us for a Christmas Eve service filled with music, connection, cookies and a reading of the Christmas narrative,” the church says. “All are welcome.”
Christ Church, an Episcopal denomination church at 149 Court St. in Plymouth center, is celebrating a “Christmas pageant with Holy Eucharist” from 4 to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, there will be a Holy Eucharist service at 10 a.m.
The Second Church of Plymouth, 518 State Road in Manomet, will hold two services to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Sunday, Dec. 24. A Children’s Christmas pageant takes place during morning worship at 10 a.m. The church’s “Special Christmas Eve” afternoon service takes place at 4 p.m.
Faith Community Church, 29 Carver Road, will hold a worship service from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and a Christmas Eve service from 4 to 5 p.m.
The New Testament Church, a non-denominational Christian church located at 1120 Long Pond Road, will hold a worship service at 10 a.m. on Dec. 24 and – because that Sunday is also the last Sunday of the month – a “Glory of God South Shore” prayer service at 6:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s Parish, 313 Court St., celebrates Roman Catholic Masses on Dec. 24 at 4 and 6 p.m., a Brazilian Mass at 8 p.m., and a Midnight Mass at 12 a.m. Also, on Christmas day morning, the church celebrates Mass at 10:30 a.m.
St. Bonaventure Parish, 803 State Road in Manomet, celebrates Christmas Eve Masses on Sunday, Dec. 24, at 4 and 6 p.m., and Christmas Day Masses on Monday at 10 and 11:30 a.m.
Continuing this week
“Wonder,” a members art show, is continuing at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., through Jan. 14, 2024. The Center is open to the public on Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Coming up this week:
Sunday, Dec. 17
Actor Neil McGarry performs his award-winning, one-actor rendition of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Spire Center, 25½ Court St. this afternoon, beginning at 3 p.m. Using a few props on a bare stage, McGarry plays all the characters in the morality tale of the meaning of Christmas. For tickets visit spirecenter.org.
Monday, Dec. 18
The Manomet Branch of the Plymouth Public Library hosts a reading-readiness story time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Children aged 6 and under are invited (along with parents or caregivers) to enjoy books, songs and movement activities. It’s all part of a cunning plan to get kids ready to read. No registration is required.
The library’s Noteworthy Nonfiction reading group selection for its December meeting will be “The Year of Magical Thinking”by Joan Didion. Didion’s account of dealing with grief, loss and trauma was one the most talked about books of the first decade of the 21st century. The meeting takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. in the library’s Nook Road room. For questions, contact Kris Boyles at 508-830-4250, ext. 201
Tuesday, Dec. 19
Three V Restaurant, 10 Cordage Park Circle, hosts “Musical Bingo!” with Good Thomas from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bingo cards will be single use only. For more information call the restaurant’s Derek Nickerson at 508-927-4046.
Three big-kid groups – the Plymouth library’s chess club; “Changing Tides,” a group for teens that discusses sustainability; and the “Forever Young Book Club,” a group that discusses young adult books – all meet at the main library from 6 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 20
The Anime Club will meet in the library’s board room from 4 to 5 p.m. The group will watch Japanese anime (cartoons), offer Japanese snacks, and participate in crafts.Email Miss Madde at mmahony@ocln.org for more information. The club is for ages 11-18. Registration is required.
The library’s Philosophy Group meets from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library’s craft room. Ateach meeting a different philosophical question will be raised and discussed in a casual setting, with “no judgments” passed.
Thursday, Dec. 21
The Spire Center’s TD Bank Lobby series – in which the center’s lobby is transformed into a 70-seat “lounge” – showcases local and regional musicians in a relaxed setting, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Friday, Dec. 22
Still looking for holiday-themed entertainment? Consider the Edaville Railroad “Festival of Lights.” Located at 5 Pine St., in Carver, Edaville’s period trains ride through Santa’s village from 2 to 9 p.m. Tickets start at $12.95. Visit Edaville. Christmas Festival of Lights
Sunday, Dec. 24
As reported above, many churches are celebrating Christmas with traditional holiday services. Some are adding extra services.
Plimoth Patuxet Museum’s’ Visitor Center Museum Shop is open from 10 a.m. to noon for last-minute shopping needs.
Monday, Dec. 25
Stay home. Open presents. Visit with family or friends, or host the gathering at your house. Enjoy peace, good will toward men (and women). There’s nothing else to do today, anyway.
Tuesday, Dec. 26
Plymouth Public Library’s Chess Club welcomes chess players of all levels on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. in the library’s Nook Road study room areas. Chess sets are provided, although participants are free to bring their own chess set. Bill Petrillo, an experienced chess instructor, provides guidance
Wednesday, Dec. 27
Plymouth G Pub, at Plymouth Square on 101A Carver Road, hosts “Watch and Win Wednesdays.” Patrons catch featured sports match-ups and join “watch parties” during the Bruins and Celtics season, while playing sports bingo. More information is here.
Thursday, Dec. 28
The Plymouth Public Library Foundation hosts The Yoga Connection, the oldest yoga center in Plymouth. It will offer a practice session from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. for a fee of $10 per person. No experience is necessary; the practice is open to all. Participants should enter through the library’s side door.
Friday, Dec. 29
Toronto’s Enter The Haggis, a band that combines bagpipes and fiddles with a rock rhythm section to create a distinctively eclectic sound, will perform at The Spire Center, 25 Court St, from 8 to 10 p.m. For tickets visit the Spire website.
Saturday, Dec. 30
Another Tequila Sunrise, the New England based tribute band to the Eagle encompasses the classics and includes deep cuts from the Eagles’ studio collection, plus the biggest hits from the solo careers of Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Joe Walsh. At The Spire Center, from 8 to 11 p.m. More details here.
Sunday, Dec. 31
The Spire Center presents a comedy night with popular performers Brian Glowacki and Will Noonan from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $27 and $30. More information is here.