During the Family Service on Christmas Eve, candlelight was the illumination for "Silent Night." (Photos by Mark Braun)

Reflections on Christmas Eve services

There were angels, wisemen, and — as has become a tradition at our church — a giraffe disguised as a camel. The Family Service on Christmas Eve at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church was indeed a community gathering; a coming together of younger and older generations of families, some whom have worshiped with this congregation for decades, others for only a few months.

But as we rejoiced, it was a fellowship of unity — families and friends brought together by candlelight to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas.

For the Family Service, Nicole, Nick and Ryan Nicholas Tammaro were Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus.

Click here for more images by Mark Braun of the Family Service and the 11 p.m. Communion Service on Christmas Eve, 2010: