Something Good: 50 Year Tradition Continues for Bethany Church

It’s a light that has burned bright for 50 years. 

Since 1970, Council Road Baptist Church has celebrated Christmas Eve with a candlelight service. 

“A time of seeing that God has brought us through another year. What a year this has been," said Executive Pastor Norman Behymer. 

A year that has doused so many spirits but will not extinguish this half century-old tradition. 

Pastor Behymer has been hard at work preparing for the Christmas Eve services, one at 6 p.m. and the other at 11 p.m. 

He said changes will be made to keep people farther apart, but the message as always, will be unity. 

“We have people that have come from every denomination. Some people that have moved away, come back for this service to see friends, so it’s kind of a family reunion type moment," said Behymer.

Ten years ago, another tradition got its start. 

Different members of the congregation team up to create an original picture book. 

Kids come dressed in their PJ’s for story time when the book is read to them. 

Dan Moore wrote this year’s story, with Danielle Smith providing the illustrations. 

“I grew up going to these services every year with my family. Getting to come and celebrate with our church family, getting to celebrate with our community here, I need that, I need that hope," said Smith.

“I’ve stood in the balcony of this church when we’re lighting candles, and watched the entire church lit with nothing but candlelight, and known the feeling of Christmas," said Moore.

A feeling that, even in 2020, still burns bright.