As health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, warn against large gatherings this holiday season, some local churches are finding ways to celebrate the holidays safely.

Dr. Jo Anne Passalacqua is an infectious disease specialist with Hartford HealthCare. She says with the ultra-infectious Omicron variant circulating, large gatherings are risky this holiday.

"Each time you add one more person to that closed space, you add risk and possibility that that one more person could be carrying virus," she said.

Some local churches are offering alternatives for worshipers who don't want to take their chances.

The pastor at First Church Congregational in Fairfield says they've been livestreaming all their services for over a year now.

For Christmas Eve, pastors are asking the congregation to join them on Facebook, if possible.

"We're reminding them that the first Christians worshiped in homes, and their home is a perfectly wonderful place to praise God," the pastor said. "They do not need to come into the building."

Worshipers will be welcomed in person as long as they're masked, vaccinated and socially distanced.

First Church is extending the virtual invitation to anyone who's looking for risk-free carols and blessings Friday night.

First Church is streaming its virtual children's pageant on Facebook Friday at 4 p.m., followed by carols and blessings at 10 p.m.