Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania (CASP) encourages all Christians to attend a socially distant but spiritually unified “Silent Night” singalong on Christmas Eve.
The event begins on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when attendees stand outside their homes holding a burning candle to sing the traditional hymn, which reflects an element of personal Christmas Eve services in most Christian traditions.
“This year we’re preparing for Christmas Eve,” said Rev. Canon Natalie Hall of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, a representative on the Christian Associates’ Council of Bishops & Judicatory Executives.
The singalong is Hall’s original idea.
“Due to the global pandemic, many churches are closed to personal worship or are restricting participation and revising cherished traditions. Connections online are a gift, but the Internet can’t understand what Christians love when they celebrate Christmas Eve together, ”Hall said.
Rev. Liddy Barlow, Executive Secretary of Christian Associates, said, “Yet our candles are still lit and a pandemic cannot stop our song.
“If we band together in our neighborhood to sing ‘Silent Night’ by candlelight from a safe social distance, we will be a sign of unity and hope for one another and welcome the Christ Child into the world with one voice,” said Barlow.
Silent Night’s texts and prayers for the event are available on the Christian Associates website at casp.org/silentnight.
For 50 years, CASP has convened Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant ecclesiastical bodies to promote unity between different Christians and to work together for the common good.
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