Yes, it’s really called Christmas Eve-Eve

Happy Christmas Eve-Eve! Yes, that is what today is called, at least according to www.urbandictionary.com.

That website says today is the day before Christmas Eve – which is pretty obvious – and it also says to stay away from the malls today.

I figure that because most people think Christmas Eve is the busiest day of the year to shop, all those procrastinators usually shop today instead. That would make today, Christmas Eve-Eve, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Go figure!

I hope you are done with your shopping and are looking for a more meaningful way to spend both Christmas Eve-Eve and Christmas Eve. So I put together a little list of events going on for all you planners who are ready for Christmas, as well as all you procrastinators who still have more shopping to do.

Christmas Eve-Eve

Planners: Tonight, Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church will have its Christmas Cantata at 6 p.m. It is called “A Night For Rejoicing” and will feature a singing choir as well as some symphony players on flute, horn, clarinet and cello. They will be performing a mixture of carols and praise.

Procrastinators: Concord Mills mall will be open today from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Carolina Mall will be open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Christmas Eve

Planners: A number of Christmas Eve services are going on Dec. 24 (see list elsewhere in this section). For instance, Metrolina Church, which usually meets Sunday mornings at Harris Road Middle School, will offer a Christmas Eve service at the Moss Creek clubhouse beginning at 7 p.m. and featuring special guest musician Brad Bailey.

Harvest Community Church in Concord will celebrate at 5 p.m. with a traditional candlelight service.

“We chose this time so people will still have time for family gatherings. We will have live music including a drum ensemble playing a contemporary ‘Little Drummer Boy’ piece,” said pastor Jeff Burris. “We will share communion together, a short message, and end with a beautiful candlelight ending.”

Harvest Community Church is at 4282 Orphanage Road in Concord.

A Christmas Eve service would be a wonderful way to try out a new church for the first time.

“Harvest is a nontraditional church. Our worship is contemporary and dress is casual,” Burris said. “We focus on teaching life application messages to help people with their everyday issues. We place an emphasis on children and youth ministries and offer studies for the whole family.”

Christmas Eve services are being held at many locations Dec. 24 – too many to mention here.

“There are a lot of great churches in the area. We are very family oriented, and although the Lord has blessed us in growth, we work hard at keeping a ‘small church’ feel,” said Burris. “People have to feel a part of something to truly get involved.”

Procrastinators: Concord Mills mall hours for Dec. 24 are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Carolina Mall hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

So whether you are spending these remaining days shopping, caroling, praising or worshipping, or just finding meaningful time with family or friends, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve-Eve and Christmas Eve – and more important, a very peaceful Christmas Day.