If Google is to be believed, then the number of people who attend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day religious services is declining. However, the fact remains that more people go to church on Christmas Eve than at any other time of the year.

So, tonight, all around Pike County, church doors will be open and people will make time and take time to celebrate the eve of the birth of the Christ Child with a variety of Christmas services.

Most people will attend their home church but the doors of most all churches are open for those who want to join in the fellowship that comes with worshipping together at this special time of the year.

From 2 until 4 p.m., Park Memorial United Methodist Church will hold come and go communion with a candlelight service at 6 p.m.

Southside Baptist Church in Troy will have a candle light service at 4 p.m. and First Baptist Church will have a Christmas service at 5 p.m.

Hephzibah Baptist Church in Troy will have a 6 p.m. candlelight service with the Lord’s Supper.

First Methodist Church of Troy will have a Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m.

Brundidge United Methodist Church will have a Christmas Eve Communion Service at 6 p.m. and Salem Baptist Church in Brundidge will have a candlelight service at 6 p.m.

Troy Church hosts a “Christmas Eve on the Square” at 6 p.m. in Downtown Troy.

St. Martin Catholic Church in Troy will have Mass at 5:30 p.m. and at midnight.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Troy will have Lessons and Carols and Midnight Mass beginning at 10:30 p.m.

At midnight, the bells of St. Mark’s will ring with the news of the birth of the Christ Child. Those who are blessed to hear the bells will know that Christmas is here.

The doors of these and other churches are open to those who want to celebrate the birth of Christ and to wonder over his miraculous birth so long ago and to rejoice for the hope Christ brings to the world.