Every few years, many churches choose not to have Christmas service on Christmas day because it falls on a Sunday.
FAIRBURN, Ga. -- It's an unusual religious irony.
Every few years, many churches choose not to have Christmas service on Christmas day because it falls on a Sunday.
Indeed, as many as one in 10 churches by some estimates will be empty this Christmas, arguably one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar.
It's hard to tell exactly how many churches are shifting their service to Christmas Eve Saturday, but a quick look online indicates that some of Atlanta's biggest are among them, opting to give their congregations the day off from church... but not necessarily from worship, which they can also do in the sanctuary of their own homes.
"I had never heard of it before," said Tamra Preston, a church member in Fayette County. "Celebrating on Christmas Eve with your church family. It's an excellent concept."
Preston is one of hundreds who will fill the pews at New City Church in Fairburn on Saturday. For many of the faithful, the re-scheduling is less about Christian orthodoxy than simple practicality: More people are likely to show up on Christmas Eve than Christmas day when it's on Sunday.
"More people seem to come on Christmas Eve than they do on Christmas day," agreed Cathi Flanagan, another member of New City Church. "We've been having our services on Christmas Eve for as many years as I've been going to this church."
The last time Christmas fell on a Sunday was 2005. And some churches that held their formal service on Saturday that year have decided not to do it again this time.
But Preston said for those who miss Christmas in the cathedral, there's another excellent option.
"It gives us time to go and visit relatives' churches too, which is a good thing," she said. "And if you haven't had a chance to visit with your family's church, well that's refreshing. And it's a very good way to reconnect with loved ones."