Even though the story remains largely the same each year, area churches continue to be filled on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as worshippers hear the story of Jesus’ birth. According to Lifeway Research, 91% of Americans celebrate Christmas, though only about 47% attend a church service as part of those celebrations.

Christmas Eve is especially busy, with many pastors saying it is their church’s largest event of the holiday season. That means many ears will be in the pews this week, relying on church leaders not only to share the story, but to relate it through their homily or sermon.

For pastors Dan Schuster of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Luxemburg and Holy Trinity Parish in Casco, Joel McKenney of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Algoma, and Jim Honig of Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay, sharing the Greatest Story Ever Told is a relatively easy task.

Pastor Dan Schuster

Pastor Joel McKenney

Pastor Jim Honig 

No matter how many times they stand in front of their congregations, Pastor Matthew Sprunger of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kewaunee and Deacon Mark Bortle of St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church in Institute hopes people walk away with a similar feeling every year.

Deacon Mark Bortle

Pastor Matthew Sprunger

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service times vary across the area. Contact individual churches for exact schedules.