Susanne Shoemaker on Remarkable Soon-to-Be-99th Christmas Eve Village Pageant
Nov. 27, 2013: At 5:30 pm on Christmas Eve this year, the Bronxville Village Pageant will celebrate its 99th consecutive year!
I was recently at MoMA viewing some early works by Kandinsky from 1914. It struck me that his work was created the same year the original Bronxville Village Pageant was held on the hill in front of the old Gramatan Hotel. President Woodrow Wilson was our leader and the US had not yet entered the war.
This is the same year that Babe Ruth played his first game in the major leagues with the Red Sox. Henry Ford introduced an assembly line for Model T Fords. Charlie Chaplin made his film debut. The famous Armory Show had taken place with critic Julian Street calling Duchamp's Nude Descending a Staircase "an explosion in a shingle factory."
Throughout this centennial period, the pageant has remained intact. This is quite remarkable given the fast pace of our modern world. The cast of the Holy Family, kings, shepherds, angels, and live animals continues to assemble on the lawn in front of The Reformed Church on Christmas Eve. The scene is illuminated, providing a magnificent visual display of the miracle at Bethlehem. Year after year, villagers have gathered together to witness the spectacle on Christmas Eve.
We invite you to attend with your family and friends. It is a cherished and long-standing tradition, and we welcome your presence. The pageant lasts about 30 minutes. Following the pageant, children are invited to walk up the hill to pet the donkey and view the crèche.
If you would like to join the Invisible Choir, arrive a little bit early. The Invisible Choir stands at the top of the hill during the ceremony and sings "Gloria in Excelsis Deo." No experience is necessary. A choir director will be there to lead the group at the appointed time for singing. The crowd below sings traditional Christmas carols with words appearing on a screen. Our song leader will lead the caroling for all to join in, accompanied by a brass quartet.
In anticipation of our 100th anniversary, we seek written remembrances of the event. We plan to compile a collection of memories to share with you. Some individuals recall watching the pageant sitting in a tree on the lawn of the church, others recall being present with beloved parents and grandparents. Many took part in the pageant as actors. We would love to hear all of your stories.
If you have a memory to share, please send it along to us. You may send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. And, if you are interested in joining our committee, please write to us. Planning includes many small jobs that may be completed well in advance of Christmas Eve. We would be happy to work with you to match you with an appropriate job to help us.
In a season that is too commercialized, please join us for an occasion to reflect on the true meaning of the season.
Hope to see you there! Dress warmly!
Pictured here (L to R): The three kings in the 2011 Christmas Eve Pageant: Dr. Viji George, Bob Underhill, and Tim McGrath.
Photo by M. Lee
Religion Directory
Christ Church Bronxville
Christ Church Bronxville, or "CCBNY" as it's known in the community, is the village's Episcopal church, whose beginnings date back to 1898. The current church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1926 and was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who also designed St. Bartholomew's in New York City and the Chapel at West Point.
CCBNY offers a wide array of programs to its parishioners, who live throughout southern Westchester. The acclaimed music program boasts five choirs; international outreach efforts to Cuba; and education and service programs for family members of all ages. CCBNY is also home to the renowned children's music program Young at Arts (http://www.youngatartsny.org), and Eliza Corwin Frost (www.elizafrostschool.org), a nursery school for children ages 1 to 5.
Our services are as follows:
8:00AM Rite I Spoken Eucharist
10:00AM Family Choral Eucharist, with 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
5:00PM Informal Eucharist or Choral Evensong
"No matter where you are on your spiritual journey there is a home for you at Christ Church. Our worship, music, education and outreach challenge us to embrace holiness and fearlessly share Christ's love."
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3544
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854. Its mission is “to reach out as a caring and Christ centered Church to people of all culture and races, helping them to know God and find fellowship with each other through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”
407 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2560
http://www.firstbaptistchurchbronxville.com/
Reformed Church of Bronxville
The Reformed Church of Bronxville is the community church in the heart of the village. We welcome people of all faiths and persuasions to be a part of our church family. We have exciting programs to meet your interests including music and the arts, service and outreach, children's ministry and a wonderful Nursery School.
Starting Sept. 7th, we have three Sunday services held at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 5:00 pm. A Fellowship Coffee Hour is offered after the 10:30 am service. Childcare is available during our 10:30 am service along with Church School classes for children from 2 years old through the 8th grade.
The Reformed Church
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6776
www.reformedchurch.org
St. Joseph’s Church
St. Joseph Church, which opened its doors in 1925, is the Catholic Church in Bronxville. It offers services on Saturday, Sunday, weekdays and Holy Days. It offers a religious education program for K - 8th grade which takes place on Wednesday during the school year. It also offers a myriad of opportunities for parishioners to meet, share ideas and experiences and help others. The St. Joseph’s School offers classes for K – 8th grade.
15 Cedar Street
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1660
http://www.saintjosephsbronxville.org/
Village Lutheran Church
The Village Lutheran Church “is a ministry of word and sacraments. This ministry gives opportunities for witness, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and service.” The Chapel School, which goes from pre-school three-year olds through 8th grade, is an integral part of the Church’s ministry for children.
172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0207
West Center Congregational Church
West Center Congregational Church is a member of The United Church of Christ. It welcomes “all who seek to find, know and serve the living God better in all they are and do.”
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3829
Sinai Free Synagogue
Sinai Free Synagogue is Westchester`s "newest" Reform congregation but its roots go back almost 100 years. Formed in 1999 by a merger of Mount Vernon`s Sinai Temple (founded in 1906 and the first Reform congregation in Westchester County) and the Free Synagogue of Westchester (founded in 1927), the 250-member congregation has a long, distinguished history.
Please check the Calendar for dates and times.
550 North Columbus Avenue
914-664-1727
Religion Recent Articles
Quick Links
Newsletter
MyhometownBroxnville reserves the right to monitor and remove all comments. For more information on Posting Rules, please review our Rules and Terms of Use, both of which govern the use and access of this site. Thank you.
The information presented here is for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to present accurate information, myhometownBronxville, LLC, does not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information herein. We urge all users to independently confirm any information provided herein and consult with an appropriate professional concerning any material issue of fact or law. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of myhometownBronxville, LLC, its officers, staff or contributors. The use of this website is governed by the Terms of Use . No portion of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed, either in whole or part, without the express written consent of the publisher.
Copyright © 2009 myhometownbronxville.com, All rights reserved.