Dd1 wants to go to the church service at 10am on Christmas Day. I feel like taking her.

[IAmTheNewQueenOfMN]

Not sure what to do to be honest
I know it has come into her head from the service they went to with the school on the last day of the holidays

The reverend was sayin about make sure you bring one of your new toys to church with you when you come on christmas (this is what she has relayed to me)

and she was saying she wanted to go on christmas day

what would you do?

anyone?

Why on earth wouldn't you? I think that's lovely - I'd love the chance to get DS to realise it's about more than what presents he'll get.

oh sorry I should explain
I am against organised religion
I dont know what goes on at the service on xmas day
will it be hours of 'isn't jesus better than us'?

she is 8

I have a 3yr old and 22 month old too

would they be able to cope with it
is it long

she already knows about the christian celebration side of things

I'd send her with MIL but only because 10.00am is waaaaay too early for my face to be ready to meet and greet on Christmas morning!

lol doodle
my face is never ready to greet people

I think you are missing the point of Christianity if you think it is 'Jesus is better than us'!
It will be geared towards DCs-I should give it a try-you can always leave early.

Will be about 40 minutes and it sounds like it will be child focused and child friendly - a family service. Few hymns and the Lord's Prayer and you'll be out of there.

Would be a good service for her to attend if she's never done a 'Sunday' service before, if only for her to learn what happens at one!

Well if you state that you're against organised religion, but don't know what goes on in there, I think you should definitely go. Could be interesting.

I'd love to go. I'm church curious at Christmas.

"church curious" what a fab expression! Think I might nick that and pretend I thought of it!

I think it's lovely of her to ant to go and you should take her

I have been to the church quite a few times, with the school and have gone to the midnight mass before

It was 'jesus is better than us, we sin all the time, we must repent'

I didn't mean is it going to be like that, I know it is going to be like that BUT I wanted to know how long it would be or if maybe there would be less of that stuff and more singing and talking to the kids perhaps

I have christian friends and have explored it alot. It just doesn't sit right with me. I am as upset that one of my best friedns is a born again christian as she is that I'm not.

so do I compo
I think I will
but I'm not completely sure

Our church does a family friendly service on Christmas day. Its really lovely. The children if they want to, can take their presents up to be blessed, and say a little bit about their present and why they like it (but only if they want to).

It tends not to be that "preachy" either, so you should be OK.

Depends on the service and the church surely.

I was interested to hear the methodist minister at DS's school carol thing saying that we should thank God "for the story of Christmas" ie we know it's only a story but it's a good one.

I don't think I'd heard it put that openly before.

what would I wear?
what if the smaller kids start being noisy?
is it mean on the little ones who have no clue and just want to play with their toys?

I'm an Atheist but for some reason I have always wanted to go to midnight mass. I always stop myself though as I know it's probably hypocritical of me to go.

As a kid I went to a few harvest type things. It's possible your daughter just lilkes the ceremony thing so just for her would you consider going? you could still talk to her sesibly about your take on religion without it being hypocritical.

"I am as upset that one of my best friedns is a born again christian as she is that I'm not." but why?

I have born again christian friends, I let them get on with it and I don't criticise or get upset. Equally they don't either.

You can wear what you like-there will be everything from those dressed up- to jeans. The Christmas morning service won't matter if they make a noise-anyone who wants to avoid it will have been to early communion or midnight mass, it will be a family service. The vicar will probably get DCs up to the front and involve them.

I dont intend to talk about my thoughts on reliion till she older
I dont think it would be fair tbh
She does seem to enjoy the ceremonies

I dont think about the hypocrite thing as apparently the lord would welcome anyone
I dont start sayin its about as real as jedi knights whilst I'm in church and I join in and it can be fun

I think for my daughters to be able to make an informed choice they should see what it is all about

mabe it is because it is actually ON christmas day that she wants to ho that is my problem

not sure

In my church, it would be, wear what you like (within reason, a bikini might be frowned on! ). D

Don't worry about little ones making noises and playing with their toys - just don't take noisy toys with sound fx!

My SIL is "a heathen" as she puts it, but she always seems to go to midnight mass. Its fairly common to see people who only go once a year. You won't be turned away or branded, or even burnt at the stake!

well, I think iif you have time you should

well that sounds doable pisces

beanie
we dont argue about it
I just know she feels sad that I'm not
we have talked about it

we sort of had to as she became one when I had already known her fpr years
she changed a bit
I feel sad also
but we are still best friends and it isn't something that ever really comes up now apart from when it first happend

Do they have a Christmas Eve service-ours has a crib service at 5pm-especially for DCs.

I think we will be going, thanks everyone

There might be a Christingle service on Christmas eve which might suit you better timing wise? Very child friendly Christmassy service.