Livestreaming Christmas

Rev. Joshua Patty
Regional Minister and President

Be honest: do the words above scare you? Or do they even seem wrong?

Deep down, almost no one wants a livestreamed Christmas. We want to join with the people we love in the same space at the same time. We want to laugh together. We want to hug. We want to see each other's faces lit by the same candlelight and sing "Silent Night" together.

Such gatherings are not always possible. Often we live far away from people we love. Sometimes health issues get in the way. Sometimes work responsibilities get in the way.

But technology can allow us to connect. Though physically apart we can see and hear the same things. Miraculously, sometimes we can see each other's faces, continents apart.

I'm reminded of a recent Christmas when my brother was serving with his army unit in Afghanistan. It was hard not being together, and harder still knowing he was in a war zone. But it was amazing to video chat with him that day, if only for a few minutes. That night, I thought about what so many people in previous generations, including my grandparents who served in World War II, would have given for such an opportunity to be with their families.

In these coming holy seasons, we have many opportunities to celebrate God's coming into the world. As church, we also have chances to invite people to recognize and experience God's presence in our midst. Sometimes we will do this face-to-face. But let's embrace technology that allows us to overcome distance and other obstacles to invite this connecting. Let's celebrate the ways that technology offers new doors to the church. Let's honor the anonymity that can help a curious seeker encounter Jesus, an open door that might change their life.

Looking for inspiration and guidance for livestreaming your worship service and other activities? Here is a recent article that offers some good tips prepared by someone helping congregations improve their livestreams. In particular, I hope you pay particular attention to #7 (remember why we are doing this) and #5 (that we need to help people connect with the work of the church).