Ahwatukee’s Mountain View Lutheran Church will continue it’s holiday traditions this year.

This December will mark the seventh annual Christmas Service in German, a special event that consistently attracts more than 400 attendees every year.

The official name of the Christmas Service is quite the mouthful-“Weihnachtsgottesdienst in deutscher Sprache,” but it is very popular for many families in the area that want to celebrate their German culture and customs. The service is open to all Christians and anyone who wants to experience the German culture.

While the service is presented in German, many English-speakers can still participate, singing hymns such as “Silent Night.” The service will begin with the singing of traditional Christmas songs and the ringing of the church bells. To delight the audience’s ears, a children’s and adult choir and brass ensemble will perform traditional music. A short play will follow, presented by several parish children answering the question of why we celebrate Christmas.

Following the sermon, everyone is invited to reconnect with old friends and fellow parishioners at the fellowship hour, where homemade Christmas cookies, coffee and tea will be served.

This year, the service will take place on Sunday, December 18, at 4:10 p.m.

Mountain View Lutheran Church is located in Ahwatukee at 11002 S. 48th Street.