For many Cochranites, Christmas Eve church services are a holiday staple, family tradition and a way to come together as a community to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

In wake of the global health crisis and strict provincial gathering restrictions, faith-based gatherings look much different these days.

Cochrane Alliance Church Interm Lead Pastor, Michael Poettcker says that the church has adapted its services in recent weeks to allow for a 15 percent capacity.

"People can register online with Eventbrite from our website and there's a limit," says Poettcker. "Then when people arrive they check-in and that gives us traceability for contact tracing down the road."

In addition to significantly reducing in-person attendance, the Church has been live-streaming its services for those in the community who aren't able to attend.

Poettcker says that given the challenges to accommodate families this year, they won't be holding any in-person services on Christmas Eve.

"We've just chosen to do the best we could to do an online service," says Poettcker. "So, Christmas Eve, the 24th starting at 1:30 in the afternoon people will be able to access the service that we've put together."

Poettcker says that the theme for this year's Christmas Eve service is quite fitting for 2020.

"The theme this year is Home For Christmas," says Poettcker. "That's a mixed bag for us. On one hand, we feel like we're stuck at home and on the other hand, we wish we could go to some other homes to be with folks."

'The Home For Christmas' church service will be live-streamed on December 24 at 1:30 pm. 

Cochrane Alliance Church is inviting members of the community to celebrate with them online in a family-friendly 60-minute experience filled with carols and stories of hope.

You can tune into this year's Christmas Eve service here.