The events of Sept. 11 are shaping many of the services at Nashville-area churches this Christmas.
''This year, we are focusing on getting back to the real meaning of Christmas and the whole idea of giving of oneself,'' said Bishop Joseph Walker III of Mount Zion Baptist Church here. ''God gave his Son to us as an unconditional surrendering of himself. Considering the events in our nation, it's really important to understand that giving is a blessing.''
Mount Zion canceled its Bible study class, scheduled for the day after Christmas, for the first time this year to give people more time with their families - something that has become more important since the attacks, Walker said.
Some churches don't plan to mention Sept. 11 in their services this week, but say that the terrorist attacks make the traditional holiday messages even more meaningful this year.
''We are just going with Christ because, it is the still the same message, the same answer to every problem no matter what's happening in America,'' said pastor Rodger Thaxton of the Hendersonville United Pentecostal Church. ''He still cares for the world. He still has the same power. Sept. 11 doesn't change that.''
The Rev. Derrick Jackson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gallatin, said his sermon would focus on ''watching, waiting and hoping.''
''As Americans, we believe ourselves to be invincible, generally speaking. No one would have the idea that our own planes would fly into one of our buildings. Now, we are preparing ourselves, we are on watch, so to speak.''
''Likewise,'' Jackson said, ''we are watching and anticipating the return of Christ on Christmas Day and every day.''
At First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, in downtown Nashville, the Christmas service will focus on sharing congregation members fondest memories of Christmas, praying for world peace and talking about Sept. 11.
''This year, more so than any other, will challenge us to find the genuine meaning of Christmas, of peace on earth and goodwill to all persons,'' said the Rev. Victor Singletary, the church's pastor.
''This Christmas I hope people will want to renounce the materialism and consumerism that is so easily associated with the season and think of more meaningful things in life, such as the love of one's family and friends and the need for the world community to come together,'' Singletary said.
Other churches say that their services will reflect a universal Christian message that can serve people struggling through the events of the past three months.
''Some might think (Sept. 11) has shaped our service because the message is peace on earth,'' said the Rev. Gary Henecke, pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in Nashville. ''Without the Prince of Peace there is no real peace. That message is not specific to Sept. 11.''
At First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Sandra Randleman will read from the book of John.
In those passages, ''It's about the light coming into the darkness of the world and that the darkness cannot overcome the light,'' she said.
''That to me is Sept. 11 because it was such a dark day and the goodness is shining through in rescue efforts.''
Bishop Edward Kmiec has been working on his homily this week at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. He does not know exactly what he will say but will likely include a message about Sept. 11.
''To help calm whatever fears we have, we need to turn to our Lord and recall the exhortation which was used by the angel to Mary, as well as stated many times later by Christ, himself, and that is, 'Do not be afraid.' ''