AIBU to ask why you only go to Church at Christmas?

[LeilaDarling]

Ok, prob going to get roasted here BUT out of slight annoyance and curiosity please can you tell me why you go to Church at Christmas yet not the rest of the year?
Have had various texts from friends saying they are going to Church services tonight yet some either a)are atheist/do not believe
b) don’t step in a Church at any other time in the Year.
I was brought up strict Catholic and attended Church weekly for my whole childhood. Have left the faith behind as an adult and therefore do not go to Church just because it’s Christmas.

I don’t go but I imagine they go because it’s traditional and festive and all are welcome. They likely don’t go the rest of the year because for whatever reason, they can’t be arsed.
I’m surprised you’re asking. You know this already.

I go to a midnight service in my local CofE cathedral. I was Baptist when I was a child (my choice, parents not at all religious) but lost my faith at the end of my teens. There are two reasons I go. Firstly, for some reason, I like the feeling I am doing something that has been happening for centuries. Secondly, when I was 18 a close friend died on Xmas Eve and I sort of feel close to them by doing this. Can't explain it better.

out of slight annoyance and curiosity please can you tell me why you go to Church at Christmas yet not the rest of the year?

Why would you be annoyed by it? I never go to church, but I thought the whole point of mass worship was to give maximum audience to the good word.

Has a stranger been sitting in your favourite pew?

because the church is part of my culture, even if not my faith

This is a great way of putting it. I don't believe but I do have a strong sense of my cultural Christianity.

The Christmas story, though not literally true, is a beautiful one that I love to hear year in year out.

As humans we yearn to feel part of something bigger and more important than ourselves. Religion fills that void, even if we no longer believe in it.

Philip Larkin's 'Church Going' is very insightful on this point. These lines in particular...

A serious house on serious earth it is
In whose blent air all our compulsions meet
Are recognisd and robed as destinies.
And that much never can be obsolete

Oh and I adore Christmas carols

For the singing.

Culture / faith point is very important for those of us raised Irish Catholic.

You can’t separate Irish Christmas from the Catholic church, even if you abhor a lot of what has gone on and no longer believe in the Jesus story....

I suppose it's a relic of childhood - I was raised methodist but go to our local CofE carol service because it's such a superb event and I love singing the old carols in a really big congregation

That said I've been a committed believer in reincarnation for most of my adult life, so goodness knows where I fit into any stereotypes!!

I like carols. Reminds of primary school and happy times

As someone who does attend regularly I know that for many it's a tradition they share with their families. For some it's a mark of respect to loved ones they lost recently. Maybe some feel more welcome to attend at this time, whatever the reasons the church are always happy for newcomers to attend

If I do go to church, it's either for a wedding/christening/funeral (i.e. I've been invited) or at Christmas. While I'm not a Christian, christmas at churches has played an important part of my life - I remember watching my old next door neighbour playing the piano at the services when I was very little, or going to midnight Mass at the very old village church with my parents, or singing in the choir in a High Church when I was older.

I don't go often and if I do it's one of the community services (for example, a local homelessness charity organises a Carols by Candlelight evening), but all the churches I've ever been in to have made it clear that they welcome all.

I go every week and every holy day of obligation, on holiday etc. Even though I sometimes have doubts, my faith is a massive part of my life and integral to my family history and culture. This year I am very unwell and, for the first time in my life, I won’t get to Mass. I feel incredibly sad and emotional about it. I’m 34 and life has been very busy recently. I’ve not had much time to dedicate to my faith and God has seemed very far away. I’ve been angry and hurt about a lot of things but it’s only being deprived of the opportunity to be at church tonight and tomorrow that makes me see just how important my faith is and that there really is a longing there to be at church deep with me.

I want to see my friends and the community there, the crib, the church all candlelit and decorated for Christmas, hear the sermon, listen to all the readings and carols, receive communion and be there as part of the body of the church.

There is a lot that I am missing out on this Christmas due to being unwell; time with friends, gigs, all the food, being out amidst all the excitement, no energy to open presents etc, not even energy to stay awake through a whole film. But it’s definitely being at mass that is upsetting me most.

Each year, I see many faces there for the first or only time throughout the year. I can’t imagine why anyone would be annoyed at them. It’s so lovely to have everyone there. Even if they don’t believe, they’ve every right to go to church and I’m glad they get something out of it. Whether it’s a bit of peace, a sense of community or pleasure from hearing the carols, I just hope they find what they are looking for. Good on them.

If anyone is there tonight, please will you say a little prayer for me?

Merry Christmas everyone.

@ShadyLady53 I will my lovely and I truly hope you have a speedy recovery

@glitterelf

Thank you so much, that means the world. Merry Christmas to you and those you hold dear x

Free mulled wine

I actually want to go church on New Year’s Eve my friend does it every year

I suppose people feel they have to because it’s Jesus birthday

I was brought up catholic but really don’t believe. But I’ve fond memories of our church community and I have no issue with religion in general (I just don’t believe in any god). So I will go if we’re staying with my parents or other practicing family.

I go because I like the festival atmosphere and carols. I don’t believe in God, but don’t feel the slightest bit guilty given the CoE’s wealth extracted through compulsory tithes. When the CoE liquidates its assets and returns the proceeds to the people you can get annoyed at unbelievers pitching up

I’m Jewish and have just got home from the nativity service with Russian Orthodox DH and our young daughter. I like the songs, open up to the culture we live in and participate in an important community event. And the vicar is wonderful!

@ShadyLady53 Thank you, was a beautiful service and I kept you in my thoughts x

For the same reason I like Star Wars I guess. Enjoy the movies but don't believe in the force.

Like many people as I went through my teens I stopped wanting to go to Church. I then got out of the habit of going (except at Christmas / Easter when I wanted to go through a sense of tradition). I never stopped believing in God.

As I got older I found I wanted to go back but would get swayed by suggestions of doing other things, or I would sleep in etc.

About 5 or 6 years ago, during Advent, I promised myself I would go each Sunday of Advent (plus Christmas). By the time I got to Christmas I felt like I wanted to go to Mass regularly - I am still going.

I suppose what I am trying to say, is for some people they go through periods of their life when they drift from the Church- but not completely. Going at Christmas can help keep that link, and they may come back.