Celebrating the birth of Jesus

Advocate staff photo by ARTHUR D. LAUCKFirst United Methodist Church's early Christmas Eve service Monday featured a Nativity scene and a reading of the Christmas story. From left are Phillip Skipper, Dinnie Braud, Clayton Braud, 9, Fran Skipper, Walker Caro, 4, Shelly Caro, holding Loni Caro, 3 months, Bradley Caro, Lucy Skipper, 3, Charlotte Cain, 8, and Caroline Cain, 5.
Advocate staff photo by ARTHUR D. LAUCKFirst United Methodist Church's early Christmas Eve service Monday featured a Nativity scene and a reading of the Christmas story. From left are Phillip Skipper, Dinnie Braud, Clayton Braud, 9, Fran Skipper, Walker Caro, 4, Shelly Caro, holding Loni Caro, 3 months, Bradley Caro, Lucy Skipper, 3, Charlotte Cain, 8, and Caroline Cain, 5.

While many people were traveling, doing last-minute gift shopping and preparing meals for Tuesday, Christmas Day, others went to Mass on Monday night and other religious services, which continue Tuesday. The federal legal holiday is observed on Friday if Dec. 25 falls on a Saturday and on Monday if it falls on a Sunday.

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