On December 2nd, registration will open for reserved seating at both the 4pm and 10:30pm Christmas Eve Services. We will be holding pews at the front of the Church for current pledging parishioners.  Read More...

Solemn Eucharist

Sunday, December 24, 2023
Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

[caption id="attachment_308237" align="alignnone" width="1500"] The Nativity depicted in the South Stall Woodwork of Saint Thomas Church[/caption] Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of thy one true light: bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of thy heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

On Christmas Eve we will be open to the general public from 7:15 a.m.-1 p.m., 3 p.m.-6 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. until the end of the 10:30 p.m. Procession and Solemn Eucharist of the Nativity (Midnight Mass).


Pledging parishioners have received an invitation to register for early entry to the Nave for the 4pm and 10:30pm Christmas Eve services. The Fifth Avenue doors will open to the general public one hour prior to each service.

11:00 a.m. | High Altar

Support Saint Thomas Church

Pledge to the 2025 Annual Appeal 

You can also text "give" to (855) 938-2085

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We invite those of you watching this service online to invite Jesus into your hearts during Holy Communion by making an Act of Spiritual Communion.

Pledging parishioners have received an invitation to register for early entry to the Nave for the 4pm and 10:30pm Christmas Eve services. The Fifth Avenue doors will open to the general public one hour prior to each service.

<!–At noon on Mondays through Saturdays we offer Shrine Prayers at Our Lady of Fifth Avenue, sent to us via our website, prior to a celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Chantry Chapel. These services are audio live-streamed and then available on-demand. We invite you to send us your requests and join us in worship either in-person or online.

My Jesus,
I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things,
and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive you sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.

CelebrantThe Rector
PreacherFr. Gioia
DeaconMo. Lee-Pae
SubdeaconFr. Moretz
Sung byThe Gentlemen of the Choir
The Ordinary of the MassMissa Saeculorum Amen, by Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599)
PreludeToccata quinta, by Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643)
Hymn56 – O come, O come, Emmanuel – VENI, VENI, EMMANUEL
The Liturgy of the Word
Lesson2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Magnificat secundi toniby Francesco Suriano (1549-1621)
EpistleRomans 16:25-27
Hymn265 – The angel Gabriel from heaven came – GABRIEL’S MESSAGE
The Holy GospelLuke 1:26-38
SermonThe Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia: A God Able to Care
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
At the Offertory, AnthemEcce Dominus veniet, by Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)
Hymn115 – What child is this, who, laid to rest – GREENSLEEVES
AnthemEcce Virgo concipiet, by Cristóbal de Morales (1500-1553)
Hymn82 – Of the Father's love begotten – DIVINUM MYSTERIUM
VoluntaryToccata sesta, by Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643)

Resources

Leaflet
Annual Appeal 2024
Concerts at Saint Thomas 2023-2024 Brochure
Saint Thomas Church Self Guided Tour
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