Advent and Christmas 2022
Advent Services
All services and programs are in person unless otherwise noted. Some in-person services and activities will also be broadcast on our website and/or Facebook Live, available on demand, or online only on Zoom or Webex. Learn more about watching our services online here.
Understanding Advent
Advent Approaches
A short article about the approach of Advent 2022 and how Trinity Church Wall Street will observe the season.
Watch the Movement Choir's daily Advent dance devotionals
Meditate on the four traditional themes of Advent through the medium of dance. Each devotional is approximately one-minute in length, and allows members of the Movement Choir to share expressions of Advent through the Japanese butoh style of dance.
Four Candles, Collects, and Gospels: An Advent Retreat with the Rev. Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones
November 25–27, Trinity Retreat Center Facebook page
God can be defined as the one who comes to us and the one who waits on our "yes." How do we pay attention to the patience of God? Join the Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones as he explores the themes of Advent and invites us to prepare our heart, mind, and soul. In five sessions, beginning Friday night, we will explore the themes of Advent and the Gospel readings. Using the candles, the Collect for each Sunday, and the Gospel readings, we will explore the patience of God and how God seeks to come to us in new ways. Mark the time and make the space. Bring your journal and your Bible and prepare to spend an hour after each thirty-minute session in silence and prayer. Learn more at trinityretreatcenter.org.
Giving Tree
December 4–18, Trinity Commons
Make a child’s wish come true. Trinity Church Wall Street is collecting gifts to support children and families this Christmas season. Choose a gift tag by The Giving Tree in Trinity Church starting December 4 and return your gift(s) to the lobby at Trinity Commons (76 Trinity Place) by December 18. All gifts should be unwrapped. For questions, contact Kyle Folk-Freund.
Discovery—Hospitality of the Table and Food Justice: How are we Physically and Spiritually Fed?
Sundays, December 4–18, 10am ET, Online and Trinity Commons
Trinity’s Program Coordinator for Outreach, Metha Balasquides, Regina Jacobs, chair of Trinity’s Hospitality Committee, and Lyla June, Indigenous public speaker, artist, scholar, and community organizer, discuss food insecurity, food justice and hospitality from three perspectives. Learn more and register here.
Compline by Candlelight: Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 4, 8pm ET, St. Paul's Chapel
A cherished holiday tradition, the service of Lessons and Carols tells the Christmas story through readings and musical illuminations. Stephen Sands, Thomas McCargar, and Melissa Attebury conduct Downtown Voices, St. Paul’s Chapel Choir, and Trinity Youth Chorus.
Handel's Messiah
Friday–Saturday, December 9–10, 7pm ET, Trinity Church and online
In a season full of Messiah concerts, Trinity’s is unique— performed in a sacred space, on period instruments, with soloists from the choir chosen to best complement each aria and recitative. Trinity and Messiah have a long history: Trinity presented one of the first performances in North America in 1770, and Trinity’s ensembles are widely regarded as some of the greatest interpreters of the work. Don’t miss “the best Messiah in New York” (The New York Times), featuring The Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Trinity Baroque Orchestra with renowned conductor Andrew Megill at the helm. Tickets are sold out but to watch live online for free, go to Trinity’s homepage at the time of Saturday’s concert. To watch on-demand, visit our music video portal.
Holiday Favorites
Sunday, December 11, 3pm, Trinity Church and online
Popular choruses from Handel’s Messiah will be presented alongside Christmas carols and other holiday favorites in a special concert, featuring all of Trinity’s ensembles. Avi Stein conducts the Trinity Youth Chorus, Downtown Voices, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, and Trinity Baroque Orchestra.
Comfort at Christmas Eucharist
Wednesday, December 14, 5:30pm, Trinity Church
A service for those in grief or loss. Not everyone experiences the holidays as a time of joy and cheer. Join us for meditative music, prayer, and a quiet space for comfort and support. A light meal will be served. For more information, contact PastoralCare@trinitywallstreet.org.
Wait for the Lord: An Advent Retreat with the Rev. Sr. Promise Atelon
December 17–18, TRC Facebook page
Join the Rev. Sr. Promise Atelon, SSM as she explores how we are called to wait on the Lord. In this season of Advent, we await the coming of Christ; however, we are called to wait in faith every day of our lives. Waiting requires that we pay attention to our life of prayer, faith, generous living, repentance, and commitment to taking up our cross daily. Come deepen your desire to wait for the Lord and learn more ways of preparing the way for the Lord. Learn more at trinityretreatcenter.org.
Chorister Compline: Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols
Sunday, December 18, 8pm, St. Paul’s Chapel
Chorister Compline at Christmas has become a beloved annual tradition. Under the direction of Melissa Attebury and featuring harpist Caroline Cole, the Trinity Youth Chorus will present Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. This masterpiece juxtaposes ancient and modern sounds as Renaissance texts and plainchant intersect with Britten’s sonorous and colorful writing in a stunning choral work for treble voices.
Christmas Services
All services and programs are in person unless otherwise noted. Some in-person services and activities will also be broadcast on our website and/or Facebook Live, available on demand, or online only on Zoom or Webex. Learn more about watching our services online here.
Christmas Eve Family Eucharist
Saturday, December 24, 4pm ET, Trinity Church and online
Children’s Christmas pageant and first Eucharist of Christmas with favorite hymns sung by the Trinity Youth Chorus.
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
Saturday, December 24, 7pm ET, Trinity Church
Festival Eucharist with favorite hymns and anthems offered by The Choir of Trinity Wall Street with the Trinity Youth Chorus, St. Paul’s Chapel Choir, and NOVUS NY.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Compline
Saturday, Dec. 24, 8pm ET, Online
Join Trinity Retreat Center for live-streamed Candlelight Compline on Christmas Eve from the old stone chapel on Facebook Live and Instagram Live. Led by the Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones and TRC staff, this brief service in the glow of candlelight will feature special prayers of hope, peace, solidarity, unity, and contemplation of God's everlasting love for the season.
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
Saturday, December 24, 9pm ET, Trinity Church and online
Festival Eucharist with favorite hymns and anthems offered by The Choir of Trinity Wall Street and NOVUS NY.
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
Saturday, December 24, 11pm ET, Trinity Church
Solemn Midnight Eucharist with favorite hymns and anthems offered by The Choir of Trinity Wall Street and NOVUS NY.
Christmas Day Holy Eucharist: The Nativity of Our Lord
Sunday, December 25, 11:15am ET, Trinity Church and online
Festival Eucharist with favorite hymns and anthems offered by The Choir of Trinity Wall Street.