Christmas Church Services in North Druid Hills-Briarcliff

Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year, so many churches in the North Druid Hills-Briarcliff area will focus on services on Dec. 23 or Christmas Eve, although some have special events slated for Christmas Day. Here's a rundown of Christmas events at area churches:

Briarcliff Baptist Church will hold a Christmas Eve communion service at 5:30 p.m.

Briarcliff United Methodist Church will have a family Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m. including an interactive reading of the Christmas story.

At Briarlake Baptist Church, Christmas Eve events include a contemporary service at 5 p.m. in the Backlot building, a traditional service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary and 6 p.m. s'mores roasting outside the Backlot.

Central Congregational United Church of Christ has three services lined up for Christmas Eve, all with carols, communion and candlelight. First at 5 p.m. is a family-oriented service. Children are invited to dress in costume and join the manger scene. The 7 p.m. service features ensembles, solos and instrumental music. The 11 p.m. service includes choir singing.

Clairmont Hills Baptist Church will have a traditional Candle Light and Communion service at 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Pre-service music starts at 6 p.m. The service will last about an hour.

Clairmont Presbyterian Church will have a family Christmas service on Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m.

First Alliance Church will have a candlelight service at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta's Christmas Eve service begins at 10:30 p.m. and includes candlelight, carols, communion and treats afterwards.

Holy Cross Catholic Church's Christmas Eve schedule includes Children's Mass at 4 p.m. followed by bilingual masses at 7 p.m. and midnight. On Christmas Day, two masses in English will be at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. while one in Spanish will be at 1:15 p.m.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church has masses at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. (in Spanish) and midnight on Christmas Eve as well as at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (in Spanish) on Christmas Day.

On Christmas Eve at Intown Community Church, there will be a candlelight service at 6 p.m.

North Decatur Presbyterian Church has two Christmas Eve services at 5 and 11 p.m.

Oak Grove United Methodist Church will hold a family-friendly Christmas Eve service at 3 p.m., plus two more services with carols, communion and candlelight at 5 and 7 p.m.

Rehoboth Presbyterian Church features a worship and communion on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m.

Shallowford Presbyterian Church has a family service at 4 p.m., a candlelight service at 7 p.m. and a service of lessons and carols at 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church will have their Christmas pageant during the 4:30 p.m. service on Christmas Eve, followed by a reception with light refreshments. There will be a festal Eucharist without incense at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve and a festal Eucharist followed by a reception starting at 10:30 p.m. the same night. On Christmas Day, there will be a holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m.

St. Bede's Episcopal Church offers holy Eucharists on Dec. 23 at 8:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. (in Spanish) as well as a tree decorating contest at 4 p.m. Bring ornaments. On Christmas Eve, an on-the-fly Christmas pageant will be at 4 p.m. along with a holy Eucharist and carols. Anyone may participate in the pageant, even first-time visitors. Another Spanish holy Eucharist will be at 7 p.m. and a holy Eucharist and carols will be at 10:30 p.m.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta has many Christmas events on Dec. 23 and 24. The service on Dec. 23 will include carols, good memories from Christmas traditions and other uplifting stories. On Christmas Eve at 5:30 p.m., the congregation presents the pageant Spirit of the Christmas Tree. Following the pageant at 7:30 p.m. is a service focusing on carols, readings and candlelight.

Valley Brook Baptist Church has a Lord's Supper evening service on Dec. 23 at 6 p.m.

Is your church doing something special for Christmas? Let us know in the comments.