Van Quinn, Organist and Choirmaster

“O great mystery and wondrous sacrament: that beasts should see the new-born Lord lying in their manger!”

O magnum mysterium

Lessons and Carols —
December 14, 9:00 and 11:15 Services

Two performances of this impressive service of scripture and great music are offered by our Junior and Senior Choirs on the morning of Advent III. Based on the well-known service at King's College, Cambridge, the service is conceived as a mystical procession to the East, a symbolic journey out of darkness into God's eternal light. These services are probably not appropriate for infants and very small children, but many pre-schoolers will enjoy the music. It is a good idea to arrive early to get a seat and avoid crowding in the back of the nave where more than seventy singers plus assorted clergy and acolytes will be assembled for the first part of the service. A more complete description of this service can be found on the music page of the parish Website under the heading “Essays.”

The Pageant

The Chapel of the Cross Christmas Pageant, offered at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve is one of the most popular of our Christmas traditions. Indeed, this pageant has become so popular that we have found it necessary to offer it twice to accommodate the numbers of people who attend. The text of the two pageants is basically the same, but there are some significant differences. If you are new to the parish you may be curious about which of these services would be best for you and your family.

The 3:00 pageant is slightly shorter and simpler. The Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke is read rather than sung. A real baby portrays the baby Jesus. The entire service takes place in daylight and may fit better with the daily rhythms of younger children. No candles are used other than those at the altar in the sanctuary. The Junior Choir is still there — looking angelic but with a smaller role, and there is a small orchestra to accompany the dance of the shepherds and the procession of the Magi. Friendly beasts are to be found outside (real ones!) and costumed ones inside.

The 5:00 pageant is the Candlelight Pageant. The music is more elaborate as the Christmas story from Luke is sung by soloists and the Junior Choir, accompanied by the little orchestra. Adults and children over the age of ten are given candles which are lit during the singing of “Silent Night” after the church has become dark. A big party is held in the parish hall after this service, and the friendly beasts are still waiting to be petted.

The pageant is a wonderful way to begin your celebration of a Holy Christmas.

7:30 Eucharist

This is a festive yet simple Eucharist for Christmas Eve held in the church. Traditional carols and service music are sung. The Parish Choir leads the music and offers two anthems. Please note the change of time; with large congregations in the church for the pageants, it is necessary to provide adequate preparation time between the services.

The Christ Mass

This 11:00 service is the parish's principal Christmas service. It features elaborate and festive music for choir and organ, is a more complex ceremony, and is a 'solemn' service (meaning that incense is used). Pre-service music begins at 10:30, and you should arrive by 10:00 to ensure getting a seat.

Christmas Day

The 10:00 Eucharist is a quiet and intimate celebration of Christmas. Held in the church it features the singing of traditional carols. Parking is not a problem and this service is usually out in little more than an hour.

Epiphany, January 6, 7:30 p.m.

Solemn Evensong will be sung by the combined forces of the Junior and Senior Choirs. This is your opportunity to complete the Nativity cycle in the Church's liturgical life, to celebrate the visit of the Magi to the Christ child and the manifestation of God's Incarnation to the whole of humankind. The following Sunday will be a celebration of the baptism of the adult Jesus and the Epiphany story will not be retold. The service will be preceded by a dinner and the traditional 'Kings' Cake.' Crossings will have additional details as time draws nearer.

Candlemas—
Procession and Solemn Eucharist for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, Monday, February 2, 8:00 p.m.

The story of the presentation of the infant Messiah in the temple at Jerusalem and the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary after childbirth completes the infancy narratives in the Gospel of Luke. After this we have only one tradition about Jesus' childhood (another trip to the temple, this time at the age of 12) and then nothing at all until he is about 30 years of age. This ancient service will begin, if the weather permits, outside, where everyone will be given a candle for a candlelight procession into the church, followed by a Solemn Eucharist. Among the traditional scriptural texts appointed to be sung is the Nunc dimittis, the song of Simeon, who along with the aged prophetess Anna are two colorful New Testament characters we encounter only in this story. The service will be sung by members of the Parish and Compline Choirs.