10 places to say Happy Birthday to Jesus, whether you have a church or not

If you are looking for a place to worship on December 24, I have compiled a few places I think you will enjoy, whether you’re looking for contemporary or traditional church environments. If you don’t have a regular church, you might give these a try.

Freedom House Church

So many of my friends go to this church and swear it has changed their lives. The combination of passionate worship and honest preaching makes this Christmas service especially meaningful.

• 2638 Salome Church Road
• Hosting a Merry Queen City Christmas
• Services at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and online

Calvary Church

One of the biggest congregations in Charlotte, the service at Calvary will radiate the feeling of community. I believe whether your family is near or far, you will feel connected at Calvary Church.

• 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road
• Candlelight Christmas Eve
• Services at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Mecklenburg Community Church

Sometimes when you go to church, you don’t want to look like a visitor. You don’t want to feel out of place or awkward. Meck, as it is called, doesn’t do that. The services are upbeat and the minister has lived all over the United States, much like the average Charlotte resident. Bring your friends or family (or both) to this service. You will leave with more friends than when you came.

• 8335 Browne Road
• Dec. 23 at 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Dec. 24 at 2:45 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Free tickets available at Mecklenburg.org

University City United Methodist Church

I am a little partial here as this was the church I grew up in. The traditional singing of “Silent Night” gives me all the the yuletide feels.

• 3835 West W.T. Harris Blvd
• Services at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter

I have never visited this church, but the red doors on the outside always catch my attention when I drive by. The fact they are having a jeans and PJ’s dress code on Christmas Day proves this may be just the church I will settle into in the near future.

• 2701 Park Road
• Services at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.
• Christmas Day “jeans and jammies” service at 10:30 a.m.

Other places to visit that caught my attention:

Central Church

• 5301 Sardis Road
• Services at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

• 1400 Suther Rd. Charlotte
• Mass at 4 p.m., 7 p.m., and midnight on Christmas Eve
• Dec. 25 at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

Providence Presbyterian Church

• 10140 Providence Church Ln.
• Services at 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.

Little Church on the Lane (Moravian)

• 522 Moravian Lane
• Christmas Eve Lovefeast
• Services at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

St. John’s Baptist

• 300 Hawthorne Lane
• Service at 5 p.m.