It is with great sadness to highlight the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has made it extremely difficult for people to express their religious practices. It is unfortunate that throughout 2020 people could not assemble at their church, synagogue, temple or mosque due to social distancing and a mandated limited amount of assembly. In the United States it has been recommended by scientist and mandated by some state governments to not have an assembly of more than 10 people. They are also recommending for holiday, family gatherings to be no more than 10 as well.
However, there are some good stories about religious figures using technology to connect with their congregations through the internet. Many leaders are offering fellowship opportunities through YouTube channels, Facebook live, and many other apps and websites. Even though it is not the same as bringing the community together in person, some religious leaders are still able to reach thousands of people through videos and podcasts on the internet.
According to PennLive, many faith leaders have made inspirational messages for the holiday season:
Rt. Rev. Dr. Audrey Scanlan-Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
“Almost without fail, I take a walk in the morning. These days when I set out it is pitch black. I have a number of routes that I follow, but it is unavoidable – impossible to miss the sunrise. It is a lovely unveiling that looks different every morning. Sometimes it begins as a gentle lightening of the sky in the east, sometimes the glow is colored- pink and pale orange sherbet – and sometimes, it is a riot of color or an explosion of light that pushes through the darkness and exclaims, with triumph, a day of hope and promise! Bearing witness to this transformation each day brings me hope – in the unstoppable power of God to overcome darkness with light.
“From the first chapter of John (v 5): ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.’ Jesus is our light. And his birth brings an eternal hope for all the ages.”
Rabbi Ariana Capptauber- Beth El Temple in Harrisburg
“On Hanukkah, we light candles. It parallels the return of light to the world: from the sunlight, because Hanukkah occurs very close to the winter solstice, when daylight is at its least. On Hanukkah, we light candles beginning from one on the first night, and going up from there – with two on the second night, and so on, until on the last night we have eight candles and the brightest amount of light. It parallels our hope and our joy that he light will begin to return after the winter solstice. Daylight only gets longer from there.
“So I like to think about that – in the darkest times, we know that he moment of greatest darkness signifies that light is about to return. I like to think about that in terms of this time of year, when it’s darker physically, but also a difficult time of year because of the cold and isolation. This dark point is perhaps a signifier in some ways that light is about to return, and things are only going to go and get better from here.”
Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of the Harrisburg Diocese
“During the Christmas season, we may find ourselves singing along to many of our favorite Christmas Carols. One such carol, Joy to World, reminds us of the message the angel announced to the shepherds on the first Christmas, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Lk 2: 10-11) The birth of Jesus is the good news – the Gospel – of great joy.”
“As we near the end of what has been a challenging year, the good news we hear this Christmas is a reminder that our God is with us; He is Emmanuel. He is with us, redeeming us, loving us, setting us free to receive the gift of His own Life. In our world so hungry for good news, so needful of hope and joy, may our lives as individuals, as married couples, as families and as a Church proclaim “joy to the world” at Christmas and always.”
Rabbi Ron Muroff, Chisuk Emuna Congregation in Harrisburg
“As we all deal with the fears and restrictions of this ongoing pandemic, we can offer financial and emotional support to those who are suffering most. By focusing on others instead of ourselves, we can overcome feelings of despair and serve as partners with God in repairing the world.”
Bishop Michael Scalzi, Presiding Bishop, The Parish Community of Saint Joseph of The Old Catholic Church
“There are negative aspects of this holiday season that we’ve never encountered. People are sick, people are dying. Families are separated, businesses have fallen on hard times; some are even closing. People are looking to our government for help, and it’s not coming. And many cannot even worship their God in person; a Zoom Christmas service just doesn’t cut it. What a terribly bleak holiday season.”
“Any yet, in the middle of all of this, Christmas still comes! Just like it arrives each and every year to bring us those glad tidings: “For today is born our Savior: Jesus Christ the Lord!” These simple words remind us that Christmas is “the Holiday of Hope,” always arriving when we need it the most. As the song goes, “For we need a little Christmas, right this very moment.” Has there ever been a year when we didn’t need Christmas? If you can, take some time to enjoy this Christmas with all of its smells and bells and lights and glitter. Don’t give up on the true message of Christmas.”
Rev. Dr. Brenda M. Alton, UPMC Pinnacle, Manager, Spiritual Care Services; Founder, Kingdom Embassy in Harrisburg
“If there is ever a necessity for hope in our world, the time is now. Hope is that needed element in our lives that strengthens and motivates us. Hope propels us in times when we are discouraged, tired, and frustrated. Hope is the glimmer of light amid the darkness that keeps you taking steps towards a forward place. You cannot naturally see a place, but you firmly believe within your soul that it exists; a place called “better.”
“Psalms 42:11 reminds us of how hope comes alive within us when we acknowledge our daunting realities. It says, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? Then the psalmist offers a remedy by stating, ‘I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!’ You may ask how one lifts-up praise when life is contrary and our soul weary. Put your hope in God and allow your perspective about your current situation to pivot. He will propel you to a place where good days give you happiness. Bad days give you experience. Your worst days give you lessons, and your best days give you memories.”
Pastor John Green, Paxton Presbyterian Church, Paxtang
“This is Christmas Day. But it is a very different Christmas Day than you and I are used to. Anxiety, confusion, frustration and fear have surrounded and, in many ways, depressed “our normal holiday activities. Many of us grieve the deaths of family and friends. Still others grieve the loss of financial stability. This is a tough Christmas.”
“But the message of Christmas has not changed. God loves us and sent his Son into our world to teach, inspire, and to draw us closer to him. To us is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. That means that there is hope. Good news of great joy. Even in the darkest moments of this COVID time God has not abandoned us. Maybe we should take a lesson from Jesus’ mother Mary. When she first heard the news from the shepherds about her son, she sought out a quiet place and time to ponder what all of this meant. We could do the same thing. Find a quiet time and place today, to ponder this great love that God pours into our lives through the birth of his Son. Inspired and humbled by the love of God that we see in the Bethlehem stable, let us treat each other with grace, patience and humility. May we all have a servant’s heart.”
Pastor Shane Wilson, Lead Pastor, Christian Life Assembly, Lower Allen Township
“Merry Christmas from Christian Life Assembly! God loved you so much that He put a divine journey in place many years ago to send his son Jesus to be our Savior and offer us the gift of eternal life. I invite you to pause for just a moment on this very special day to allow this truth to encourage you.”
“I understand you might be facing a challenging situation today and that this year’s holiday season likely looks a bit different. It is my prayer that the hope of God’s perfect love fills your life and that you feel just how personal Christmas really is. Having a relationship with Jesus changes everything. Many blessings to you and your family!”
Rev. Dan Schmidt, pastor, St. Thomas UCC in Linglestown, Lower Paxton Township
“ ‘O Holy Night’ was sung in Christmas services I was part of this year. Each time, the phrase “a weary world rejoices” jumped out. Who isn’t feeling weary these days? Who couldn’t use more joy?
“A year of longing, disappointment, and loss has stretched us thin. We see the effects on friends and family; we read and hear about many more. And then we come to the Christmas story. “I bring good news of great joy for all people,” the angel says to shepherds who are not just watching their flocks by night; they’re also weighed down by the demands of daily life and challenging circumstances. Joy is probably not their first inclination, but the angel’s message that God is on the move changes the trajectory of their thinking. It anchors hope then—and now—in fresh ways.”
“The Christmas story about the birth of Jesus who came to bless and save plants “a thrill of hope”, reminding us that what we see is not all there is. It promises that as we move through these days, God is with us.”
Rev. Dr. Jack M. Horner, Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill
“Our 2020 Christmas may be more of a silent night than many of us have had for the whole of our lives. But that doesn’t change what Christmas is about.”
“On a silent night more than 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in the midst of concerns and problems. That birth has given us a promise of peace—not peace from the world at large, or government, or doctors, or even the church. Instead, it’s a promise of comfort and peace with God, with neighbor, and with ourselves. It’s a promise of better days ahead. It’s a peace which surpasses all understanding.”
“I encourage all to enter into the life that Jesus offers. Love God, love neighbor, be thankful, be generous, be caring. And just as the silent night of long ago was broken by the voices of angels, we too can repeat that message of hope and promise for all the world to hear: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth.”