Church has been a substantial part of my life since I was born. I attribute this to being the daughter of a pastor. In keeping with this life-theme, it seems as if every time my husband and I take a vacation or a weekend trip, we end up in a church. Not because we attend a Sunday morning service, but because if we pass by, we are compelled to go inside, especially if the church is beautiful with stained glass windows or even austere with bricks and columns.
While basking in the tropics of Key West, we found a bright white church and ventured in to light a candle:
A short trip to Chicago didn’t disappoint in the restaurant or the church department:
While on a weekend away in the seaside town of Lewes, Delaware, we found ourselves listening to the liturgy of a Sunday evening service while walking the prayer labyrinth on the grounds:
I’ll be in church tonight, celebrating with traditional hymns and praying that the meaning of Christmas soaks into my soul every day, not just on Christmas Day.
He said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will be true to me”;
and so he became their Savior.
In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.
(Isaiah 63:8-9)
Whatever “church” looks like for you and however you choose to celebrate this holiday, I wish you the merriest of Christmases, as well as love, comfort and peace each day of the New Year.
Rachel's Table 
Beautiful shots you have here, Rachel!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
✟Peace always, Uncle Tree ▲
Thank you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
As the son of an atheist Freudian psychoanalyst and a recovering artist mother, I had a different orientation toward church as a child. 🙂 But I’ve always loved the beauty of churches and felt the spirit of God in man’s aspiration to reach for something higher. Some of the most awe-inspiring churches I’ve been in were the ruins of old abbeys and cathedrals from the Middle Ages in Ireland. I love arched, gabled ceilings. But I love sky even more. Merry Christmas.
This is my favorite comment you’ve ever written to me. 🙂
I say nature is God’s best church.
🙂
And it was supposed to say “…recovering Catholic artist mother…” Oh well.
I understood the undertones since I’m a recovering fundamental Baptist.
We’re all recovering something.
Beautiful photos. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Melissa! Happy New Year, too!
Beautiful words, Rachel, and a beautiful quotation. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Darya. Hope your Christmas was fabulous. Now it’s time to say Happy New Year!
praying that the meaning of Christmas soaks into my soul every day, not just on Christmas Day.
Loved this post, RP and the photos were beautiful. I find such peace when I’m inside a church. Merry Christmas to you and Mr. Rache!
Thank you, D. Big, old churches with stained glass and wooden pews are the best kind. Like you said, peace is in the air. Hope you and the Maineiacs had a wonderful Christmas!
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Merry Christmas!
Hope yours was fabulous!
Merry Christmas Rache and Mr Rache!
Love Daile and Bixby xx
Give Bixby a squeeze for me. Happy Christmas (a few days late), Daile!
Church is part of our Christmas eve also and always. Blessings to you and your other half.
Thank you, Tammy!
And now Happy New Year!
Beautiful Churches, thanks for sharing! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Rachel. 🙂
Thank you! Christmas was great and now I’m looking forward to the New Year. Happiest of 2014s to you!
I’m late here, but I do hope you had a magical Christmas. Your church snapshots are fantastic! Especially that one in Key West…wow. My church is the trees, nature if you will. Fortunately, I have my own “churches” right on my property. Very convenient for worshiping, which I do daily.
Happy New Year to you both, Rachel.
Nature tells the story best, I think, Shannon!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
wow I am awestruck by the beauty of these photos ! So amazing to read ! Loving your cool blog right now as I am taking a tour 🙂 Wish you a very happy new year ! Love xx
Thank you, Lala! I’m glad you found your way to me–I’ll be sure to check out your site, too.
Happy New Year to you! Hope it’s your best year yet!
That would be a pleasant surprise 🙂 Welcome to my world already 🙂 Love you. Happy new year and may this year brings endless joy for you. Hugs xx
I love that church in Key West! I’ve never noticed it before — despite being there a couple of times a year — and will definitely seek it out next time that I am there. The photo from above it where you can see the ocean in the distance is perfect!
Key West is amazing!!! That photo is from the “tallest” building in Key West (I think it’s 7 stories). They have lovely sunset views.
I love this picture…