Although the way to celebrating Christmas has an intricate history, Christian faith communities, Catholic, Protestant, and non-denominational alike, today cannot imagine anything other than December 25 as the feast day of the nativity of Jesus. It was not always so. The early churches regarded January 6, Epiphany, as the major liturgical gathering of the season. But by the third decade of the fourth century CE, references to Christmas worship on December 25 begin to appear.
The date was arrived at either by coopting existing Roman winter festivals or by calculating forward from Mary’s miraculous conception during Passover, a moving date based on the lunar calendar. Once settled upon however, 12 centuries later the Reformation introduced freedoms in worship and devotional practices, and the loosened ecclesiastical policies resulted in a variety of observation. Some of the reformed faith communities abandoned Christmas observance as itself pagan, and in colonial times here, Puritans banned Christmas celebration altogether. After the successful American Revolution, Christmas fell out of favor, as it was considered a British custom. America recognized Christmas as a federal holiday only in 1870.
Be that as it may, in Custer County the several faith communities are proceeding with the devotion and worship now long associated with Christmas.
As of press time, the Tribune is aware of the following gatherings, all of them welcoming the public:
Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church on 5th Street, Westcliffe, celebrates Mass on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 4 p.m.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, at 3rd and Rosita, Westcliffe, invites one and all to a Christmas Eve potluck dinner at 5:00 p.m., with a service of Lessons and Carols at 6:30 p.m., and dessert at 7:30 p.m.
Community United Methodist Church, 6th and Rosita, Westcliffe, holds a candlelight service on Christmas Eve, December 24, at 4:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church, on South 6th Street, Westcliffe, holds a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 5 p.m.
Sangre de Cristo Fellowship, 120 Jerry Drive, Westcliffe, gathers for worship with a Christmas Eve Service at 4 p.m.
The Cowboy Church, 60260 North Highway 69, Westcliffe, will gather on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. for a Candlelight Service.
Valley Bible Fellowship, 116 Hermit Lane, Silver Cliff, invites all to a Christmas Service, Lighting the Love Candle, on Sunday December 21, and to the Christmas Eve Service at 4 p.m.
Hope Lutheran, 312 3rd Street, Westcliffe, in addition to regular services on Sundays, December 21 and 28 at 2 p.m., celebrates Christmas Eve, with a Candlelight Service of Lessons, Carols and Holy Communion at 7 p.m.
Custer County Church of Christ, 818 Ohio Street, Silver Cliff, observes Christmas at the regular service on Sunday, December 21 at 10:30 a.m.; all are welcome.
Cody Park Community Church, 157 County Road 27A, Cotopaxi, will observe Christmas Eve, December 24, with a candlelight service at 6 p.m.
The kids and youth of Wetmore Baptist Church, 26252 State Highway 96, Wetmore will present the Christmas story in word and song on Sunday, Dember 21, at 10:45 a.m., followed by a Christmas Banquet.
These are the observances the Tribune is aware of; other services are no doubt being held at High Country Mennonite, St. Patrick Anglican, and Wetmore Community churches; contact these faith communities directly for information.
However our readers celebrate Christmas, the Tribune staff wish one and all a blessed season of good spirit and cheer!
– W.A. Ewing
