Advent and Christmas

Woman in a hat enters the front doors of Trinity Church. White lights decorate the evergreen trees on either side of the steps.

Make room for joy, wonder, mercy, grace, peace, and love.

Advent begins December 1 . It’s a time of hope-filled expectation as we await the birth of Jesus, which we celebrate at Christmas.

While we wait, we make room for new life, not by hurrying, worrying, or doing more, but by letting go of the things that hinder us from accepting God’s gift of love — and sharing that love with others.

We warmly invite you to join us this holiday season in worship, community, and song. Come celebrate Christmas with Trinity Church.

Worship Schedule

Advent

Holy Eucharist | 8am, 9am, 11:15am 
Sundays, December 1–22

Comfort at Christmas | 6pm
Monday, December 16
A service for those in grief

Christmas Compline by Candlelight | 7pm
Sunday, December 22

Christmas Eve

Family Eucharist | 3pm
Festival Eucharist (en español) | 5pm
Festival Eucharist | 7pm
Festival Eucharist | 9pm
Solemn Eucharist | 11pm

Christmas Day

Festival Eucharist | 11:15am

Gather in Community

Advent Fair 

December 1, during coffee hours following services

Celebrate the beginning of Advent with the Trinity community! Join us at coffee hour, where we’ll have crafts and activities for the whole family. 

Youth Group Holiday Party  

Wednesday, December 4, 6–8pm

Before winter break, Trinity Youth Group celebrates the season with ice skating!

Trinity Afterschool Holiday Open House  

Wednesday, December 11, 5–7 pm

​​Members of Trinity Youth and their families are invited to watch a cozy movie, enjoy musical performances by JAZZ HOUSE NYC, decorate cookies , and more!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Sunday, December 15, 4pm, Church of the Intercession

For more than 100 years, the Church of the Intercession in Washington Heights, formerly a Trinity chapel, has hosted a festive annual reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” This year, the beloved poem will be read by the Rt. Rev. Matthew F. Heyd, Bishop of the Diocese of New York.

Volunteer to Serve

The Giving Tree 

November 24–December 17

Trinity is collecting Christmas presents to support children and families served by our Compassion Market, especially asylum seekers. Choose a gift tag by The Giving Tree in Trinity Church or Trinity Commons starting Sunday, November 26, and return your gift(s) to Trinity Commons by Tuesday, December 17. All gifts should be unwrapped. For questions, contact Maggy Laraque at MLaraque@TrinityChurchNYC.org.  

Giving Tree Gift-Wrap Party 

Thursday, December 19, 4–8pm

Help gift-wrap Christmas presents for children whose families are guests at our Compassion Market, including many asylum seekers. RSVP to Helen He at HHe@TrinityChurchNYC.org.  

Serve Christmas Dinner

Sunday, December 15, 2–4:30pm and 5:30–8pm  

Serve food and greet guests at Trinity’s Christmas Dinner/Cena Familiar de Navidad, where we’ll welcome neighbors served by our Compassion Market. For more information, contact Helen He at HHe@TrinityChurchNYC.org

Christmas Holiday Pack and Distribution

Wednesday, December 18, 11am–1pm
Thursday, December 19, 11am–1:30pm

Pack and distribute groceries to our Lower Manhattan neighbors in need. This is a great volunteer opportunity for parishioners ages 18 and older. To sign up, email Helen He at HHe@TrinityChurchNYC.org.

Concerts & Music

Handel’s Messiah 

Streamed live on YouTube
Friday, December 13, 7pm

Don’t miss the annual performance The New York Times describes as “transcendent and awe-inspiring . . . the gold standard,” featuring Trinity Choir and Trinity Baroque Orchestra.

Chorister Concert: Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols 

Friday, December 20, 5pm and 6:30pm

Past and present members of the Trinity Youth Chorus, led by conductor Peyton Marion, come together to sing this exuberant and beloved Benjamin Britten piece.

Sing Choirs of Angels: Holiday Sing-Along 

Saturday, December 21, 2pm and 3:30pm

Trinity’s holiday extravaganza of carols and other festive works features the combined power of all Trinity’s vocal groups as well as NOVUS brass and percussion, The Choirs of the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), and, of course, Trinity’s congregation.

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