IRON MOUNTAIN -- Coming together on Christmas Eve is a tradition for many people, which is why churches were crowded with those coming together to celebrate their faith.  There are many, however, who only attend services on major holidays like Christmas.  There is some speculation as to why that is.

"Though they may not come regularly, they still want to renew their devotion," said Monsenior James Kaczmarek, pastor at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Still others come for familiar holiday music and a sense of fellowship with their neighbors.  For some, it's a chance to get the family together in a positive setting.

"Christmas brings everybody home," said parish member Brian Brouillette.  "So you have mothers and dads with all their children which come in.  I fall into that category.  My daughter is supposed to be coming with my two-year-old grandson."

Many churches held two services on Christmas Eve, giving people the option of choosing which they'd like to attend.  The midnight Christmas Eve services are typically regarded as the most popular, but the early service at Immaculate Conception drew in crowds because of its children's choir.

There's no reason to feel guilty if you are one of those who only have an opportunity to attend services occasionally--church officials feel that it's the way you live your life that counts.

"Many of them, for whatever reason, they don't come regularly, but I really believe they try to live a Christian life," Kaczmarek said.