For the 39th year, Duke Chapel has invited the community to attend its Christmas Eve service at 11 p.m. As in past years, only 1,375 people will be admitted into the beautiful Gothic sanctuary due to fire code regulations. This has prompted some folks to call the chapel for tips on how to be sure they'll be admitted.

Mandie Sellars, manager of chapel communications, said this week that Rodney Wynkoop, director of chapel music, has the best suggestion she has heard. He said, "The best way to get in is to sing with the Christmas Eve community choir." It's a tradition for this all-volunteer group to sing for the service.

But for those who are musically challenged, the most practical suggestion is to arrive early. The congregation usually begins gathering at about 9 p.m., two hours ahead, the same time the community choir will hold a rehearsal.

The offering at the Christmas Eve service, usually in the range of $20,000, will be given this year to Family Health Ministries, a nonprofit clinic in Blanchard, Haiti. The clinic was established by Dr. David Walmer of Duke Medical Center.