Year after year, the congregation assembles on Christmas Eve to reflect on the beauty and simplicity of the Christmas story by the glow of the Christmas tree, decked out in Chrismons and white lights. The Christmas tree is not lit until Christmas Eve, and the congregation wondered how they might enjoy it more fully. From this the idea was born. Families were invited to the church for a games night and sleepover. Families came with their favourite board games and snacks. As families arrived, they set up their games and played with other families.
A simple devotion and prayer was planned for 9pm, in the sanctuary that was lit by the Christmas tree lights (these remained on all night). After the devotion people chose their sleeping places in the church sanctuary and set up their sleeping bags. Young children went to bed, while others kept playing games in the fellowship hall. The Christmas tree provided a beautiful ambiance to fall asleep to; it was a light in the darkness.
The event was Saturday night, the night before the first Sunday of Christmas. Sunday was advertised as a morning for everyone to wear their pajamas to church, or to come casually dressed. For those who had slept in the church, they simply snuggled into their pews in the morning. Sunday’s service was carols and readings.
To balance out pajama Sunday, on a year that January 1st falls on a Sunday, invite the congregation to come to church dressed for New Years: satin gloves, cocktail dresses, suits, ties, costume jewellery. Serve punch in stemmed glasses and incorporate the use of noise makers into the service.