While much of Alaska has endured bitter cold snaps, driving windstorms and a darkened landscape this December, numerous Alaska churches are lit with glowing candles, adorned in traditional decorations and filled with congregants singing beloved carols in celebration of the birth of Christ.

Many area churches held Christmas Eve services to mark the Holy Night with thanksgiving, worship and praise for the coming of Emmanuel. Others will host Christmas Day services as well.

December is often consumed with frenzied present shopping, holiday concerts, cookies and parties, which sometimes obscure the historical foundation of the Christian holiday. Numerous families, however, take time to attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in order to hear the scriptural accounts of Christ’s birth and to focus on the historic roots of Christmas – the incarnation of Christ to rescue mankind from sin and restore union with God.

Times and locations of Christmas services across Alaska are listed on various church websites. Most Catholic parishes and Orthodox churches, as well as many Protestant congregations held Christmas Eve services, and scores of churches also will hold Christmas day services and liturgies.

Check out the links below to find specific church websites and Christmas service times.

— Catholic churches in Alaska https://catholicmasstime.org/church/state/alaska/

— Hundreds of Protestant and Evangelical churches are listed here. https://www.faithstreet.com/

— Orthodox churches (OCA) in Alaska https://www.oca.org/parishes/state/AK

— Greek Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration in Anchorage https://transfiguration.ak.goarch.org/

— St. John’s Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River https://www.stjohnalaska.org/

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