Drive-in Christmas services allow Germans to worship despite pandemic

HAMBURG: A church in Hamburg is hosting a Christmas service at a drive-in cinema to enable Germans to worship safely without fear of catching the novel coronavirus.

Some 80 cars signed up to attend the "drive-in Christmas service" hosted by a church here on Christmas Eve.

Participants watched a church service described as an "Online Christmas Experience," with a production of the Christmas story and musical highlights at ICF Hamburg at Horner racecourse. Viewers could also follow the service on YouTube.

Attendees were also invited to honk a Christmas carol together.

"As a church, we love to touch people's hearts with art and creativity," said ICF pastor Andreas Pantli. As it was not possible to host a full service this year, he said, "we decided to break new ground and offer an online experience."

There has been growing pressure on churches to call off Christmas services amid an increase in infection numbers in Germany.