The auditorium of Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township was filled Sunday morning with song during candlelight services celebrating Christmas Eve. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
CRANBERRY TWP — The overhead lighting dimmed, but the auditorium at Victory Family Church stayed illuminated Sunday afternoon, Dec. 24, as hundreds of people passed a flame from candle to candle.
About 2,000 people attended each of the three Christmas Eve services at the Cranberry Township church Sunday, which Sarah Bauer, the church’s communications director, said was typical for the annual event services. This year’s three services could have been even bigger than last year’s, she said.
“Last year it was canceled because of all the snow,” Bauer said. “It’s great to be back in the building.”
People filed into the 11 a.m. service in droves, with many of them greeting each other with hugs and handshakes on their way into the church.
Ben Davis, a volunteer usher with the church, gave possibly the most welcome greetings to people entering the church Sunday. He said the services are usually the church’s best attended, along with the Easter services, but the Christmas Eve ones have a different theme.
“A lot of people are in town,” Davis said. “It's similar to a regular service, but it's Christmas at the movies. So we're going to watch a movie and talk about them relating to the Christmas story.”
The holiday service is also one of the only ones each year where entire families sit together in the main auditorium. Bauer said children typically attend classes in other parts of the church as adults sit in in the main auditorium for a service. Christmas Eve gave everyone the chance to participate in the service.
“As everyone is walking in they get candles, or glow sticks for the kids,” Bauer said. “At the end they dim the lights and we pass around the flame, and we all sing ‘Silent Night’ together.”
The Geisel family, of Cranberry Township, attends the Christmas Eve service each year at Victory Family Church, because it is where Dan Geisel has been going since he was a boy. Geisel also greeted many people as they filed out of the auditorium after the service.
“The service is very lively,” Geisel said. “I’ve gone here since I was 12, you get to know a lot of people.”
People take part in songs at a Christmas Eve service Sunday at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Parishioners sing at a Christmas Eve Service at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township on Sunday. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Anilah Ropon, 8, holds a candle while singing “Silent Night” during a candlelight Christmas Eve service at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township on Sunday. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
A musical number is perform during Candlelight Christmas Eve services at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township on Sunday. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
A musical number is perform during Candlelight Christmas Eve services at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township on Sunday. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Parishioners light candles and sing “Silent Night” during a candlelight Christmas Eve service at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Township on Sunday. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle
Anilah Ropon,8, holds a candles they sing silent night during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
Parishioners light candles and sing silent night during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
Pastor John Nuzzo gives a final prayer during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
A musical number is perform during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
Anilah Ropon,8, holds a candles they sing silent night during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
Parishoners get photos in front the big Christmas tree during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
Parishioners hold candles as they sing silent night during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
Pastor John Nuzzo givings a offering during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
A musical number is perform during Candlelight Christmas Eve Mass at Victory Family Church in Cranberry Twp on Sunday December 24, 2023.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)
