In keeping with a tradition apparently brought to America by German immigrants (maybe even Lutheran ones), some Americans put Nativity Scenes under their Christmas trees. (For one cartoonist’s take on the custom, see here.) We might think that a Nativity Scene is not very visible under a Christmas tree, or we might think that, if the Nativity Scene’s pieces are fragile, then putting them down there is a good way for them to get broken, maybe by a pet or small child. But, short of putting a baby Jesus down there with a “To/From” sticker attached to Him, putting a Nativity Scene under a Christmas tree may best remind us of the most important Christmas gift of all. At Christmas, the Son of God is born for you! Through the prophet Isaiah God had said a son would be given to us (Isaiah 9:5). The angels told the shepherds the Savior was born “to”, or “for”, them (Luke 2:11). And, Jesus Himself said that God loved the world by giving His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish eternally, as we deserve because of our sinful nature and all of our sins, but instead should have eternal life, because Jesus died and rose for us (John 3:14-18). Now, the forgiveness of sins that Jesus won for us, Jesus gives us in His Word and Sacraments–Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, and the Holy Supper.

Pilgrim’s celebration of the Son of God’s birth for us runs the full Twelve Days of the Christmas Season, beginning with a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Readings and Hymns and a Christmas Day Divine Service. You are invited and welcome to join us for any and all of the following services (listed with their liturgical and calendar dates and, in most cases, descriptions and citations of their appointed Gospel Readings, according to Lutheran Service Book’s 3‑year Series C).

  • Christmas Eve (12/24 at 6:00 p.m.): Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in the New Testament
  • Christmas Day (12/25 at 10:00 a.m.): The Word of God is made flesh (John 1:1-18)
  • First Sunday after Christmas (12/29 at 10:45 a.m.): The infant Jesus goes to the Temple (Luke 2:22-40)
  • Second Sunday after Christmas (01/05 at 10:45 a.m.): The child Jesus goes to the Temple (Luke 2:40-52)

If you cannot attend in person, you can Skype-in live or stream or download audio or video files of the full service later (see the top of the widget area at right). And, you can usually read and hear sermons preached at Pilgrim during Christmas and every other season of the Church Year here.

For the entire season of Christmas, the paraments (colored cloths on the pastor and chancel furnishings) are white, a color most-frequently associated with festivals of Christ. White symbolizes joy, celebration, gladness, light, purity, and innocence—all of which meanings are appropriate for Christmas.

The banner graphic at the top of this page and the corresponding slider graphic on the front page were composed by Katy Myer, whom we hereby thank, using a photograph Pinky took of a nativity scene under a tree in her house found here.