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Christmas Eve at Duke Chapel, In-Person and on TV

Duke Chapel services will be held at 2, 4, 6 and 11 p.m. 

The Rev. Bruce Puckett presides at a communion service in Duke Chapel.
The Rev. Bruce Puckett presides at a communion service in Duke Chapel.

Duke Chapel will hold four Christmas Eve worship services, including a live, statewide telecast of the final service.

The first service begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, and is suited for families with young children. A worship service of carols and Holy Communion, with Duke Chapel Dean Luke Powery preaching, starts at 4 p.m.

A service with Christmas carols, the Amalgam brass ensemble and a sermon from the dean starts at 6 p.m. The traditional service of Lessons and Carols begins at 11 p.m., with an instrumental prelude at 10:30 p.m.

All the events are free and open to the public. Attendees of the last service should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance, as seats often fill up.

"Each year, the chapel walls are decked with fresh greenery to remind us of the living God who came to us as a tiny baby," Powery said. "We invite you to join us in this inviting space to celebrate the Christmas mystery."

Those not attending can watch the final service live in most parts of the state on Time Warner Cable News channels 14, 114, 414, 1114 or 1414, beginning at 11 p.m.

"At Time Warner Cable News we are proud to partner with Duke Chapel for a live Christmas Eve telecast of their church service to our viewers across North Carolina," said Alan Mason, vice president and general manager for Time Warner Cable News (formerly known as News 14 Carolina). "For many people who are ill or homebound and cannot attend a Christmas Eve service in person, this is our holiday gift to them."

All four services also will be webcast on the chapel website and the Duke Chapel YouTube Channel.