Dear Friends in Christ,

I love that our church bears the name "Incarnation." I love that we, as the church, are OF the Incarnation. We are people who ground our being and find our meaning in the truth of the Word made flesh.

The Incarnation is possibly the greatest act of love of all time. God the Son (who is the "Word," according to the Gospel of John) emptied himself of the powers of the Godhead to come among us as the person of Jesus of Nazareth – born as a baby, no less, in the humblest of circumstances, to an oppressed people, and under the threat of murder by King Herod. This sacrificial love of God shown in the Incarnation ranks right up there with the sacrificial love of God shown on the cross. 

"Incarnation" can also refer to each of us. "Christian" literally means "little Christ." So, like Christ, we are little incarnations. We carry his light in our hearts. This light manifests itself uniquely in each of us based on our gifts, abilities, personality traits, and even our vulnerabilities, shining ever more brightly as we grow and flourish into the disciples God created us to be.

On Commitment Sunday, our guest preacher, the Rev. Ryan Fleenor, gave us another meaning of incarnation. Our parish becomes the Word made flesh through our offerings of time, talent and treasure. The gifts we bring breathe life into Christ’s body, the church. (Watch Ryan's sermon here.)

I’d say our gifts also incarnate the Word of the Lord – i.e., Scripture. I don’t mean we incarnate those Bible stories that reflect the worst of human nature in contrast to God’s holiness. I mean we incarnate biblical texts that speak to the teachings of Jesus, the communion of saints worshiping before the throne of God, and the beauty of Christian community characterized by faith, hope, forgiveness, healing and joy. These words on the pages of the Bible become flesh because we embody them as a church.

This embodiment is especially evident during the seasons of Advent and Christmas, when our level of ministry activity reaches a peak. Please join us in our many offerings as you are able, and together we will incarnate the love of God. 

Frankly, fellow travelers, I am missing our Aeolian-Skinner opus 1289 and am struggling to imagine a Christmas without the famous "chord." The chord, you ask?

The organ (sometimes with brass and tympani) plays a very complex and striking chord in the last verse arrangement of the Willcocks Adeste Fideles, "O come, all ye faithful" – specifically when choir and congregation sing "Word of the Father." The famous chord made The New York Times last year where a writer described it as "…an explosive, half-diminished seventh chord under the text 'Word'…"

This year without opus 1289, I will try to do something special, give the choir a nod or even stand up and shout "Joy to the world!" because for me and many musicians, the "chord" announces "Christmas is actually here." 

My Christmas musical memories abound, ranging from St. Edward the Martyr on East 109th Street (fruitcake and too much sherry) to St. Mark’s School, Southborough, MA to Christ Church Hyde Park, MA and to Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kansas City, MO. Each memory involves myriad people, flavors, sounds, lights, and even the touch of a certain fabric or tie, a whiff of incense, candles, and happiness. Each has a special ring in my right brain – the chord and memories are significant because I finally know Christmas is here.

This year’s service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 15, will have the same magic for me and hopefully for you – the chordal-moment will occur and I relax for a brief second, hear the choir, sing a bit myself, play the chord on the piano, and all the memories flood back from years and years of singing, playing, conducting and most important, experiencing a dissolving of all the troubles of this broken world. It is ephemeral, I would never deny that fact. But it is memorable, sustaining, and life giving.

The Christmas season has inspired some of the most beautiful choral music ever written. While we await the return of our organ like Mary awaiting the birth of Jesus, this year's Lessons and Carols will feature glorious a cappella music sung by a choir of 12, filling the church with music from the Anglican tradition as well as American music ranging from shape note and spirituals to an original arrangement by choir member Martha Sullivan. Piano, strings, and choir will lead the congregation in the singing of Christmas hymns as we gather to celebrate the mystery, anticipation, and joy of the Advent season.

As we face the future, I ponder the 1687 "Ode to St. Cecilia" by Dryden (in the midst of "The Trinitarian Crisis" in the Church of England) and its memorable conclusion: "And music shall untune the sky" – which captures what Christmas can be – an untuning of the skies and a new morning of hope. May our music making share that new dawn with this congregation, this city and nation, and all of humanity.

As from the pow'r of sacred lays

The spheres began to move,

And sung the great Creator's praise

To all the bless'd above;

So when the last and dreadful hour

This crumbling pageant shall devour,

The trumpet shall be heard on high,

The dead shall live, the living die,

And music shall untune the sky.

– Dr. Thomas M. Reefer 

Operation Santa is our annual Christmas service project. Parishioners are invited to select a letter written to "Santa" by a child in need and to purchase gifts for that child. This year we are providing presents for 50 children living in a nearby domestic violence shelter.

Starting Sunday, December 1, you can select a letter in person at the church. You are also welcome to visit the Operation Santa page on our website to select a letter online.

Please note, we ask that participants spend approximately $50 per child – and all presents must be gift wrapped and delivered to the Parish House (by hand or mail/courier) by Sunday, December 22.

On Saturday, December 7, we invite children and families to the Assembly Hall from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. to make Advent wreaths and talk about how the season of Advent helps us prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. After making a wreath, you can head over to the Parish House to enjoy our Annual Christmas Fair!

(For those of you who track the liturgical calendar, you’ll know that Advent begins Sunday, December 1. So, we’ll be a little behind the ball but better late than never! We’ll light the first candle on our wreaths together and say a prayer. Then you’ll be all set to light the second candle at home the next day.)

Email the Rev. Adrian Dannhauser to RSVP. 

Incarnation’s Christmas Fair is one of our annual highlights and longstanding traditions. Saturday, December 7, will mark our 80th fair. Please stop by the Parish House between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Enjoy a Silent Auction, a Christmas Boutique, a Café and Bake Sale, as well as the sale of lovely holiday gifts.

Parishioners are essential to the Fair’s success. Here are ways you can help:

• Donate homemade baked goods. Store bought goodies are welcome too!
• Donate or solicit an item for the Silent Auction. Examples include gift certificates to local restaurants, tickets to the theater or sporting events, pieces of silver, jewelry, and items for gift baskets (nice wines, fancy mustards, gourmet coffee, etc.). 
• Donate gently used housewares and other saleable items. (Please note we cannot accept clothing.)
• Give an hour or two of your time for set-up. We’ll be setting up in the Parish House the week prior to the Fair.
• Serve customers and help with logistics during the Fair, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Help with clean-up immediately after the Fair and the following week.

Contact Laurie Mygatt or Monica Culoso if you can volunteer, donate baked goods, and/or solicit items for the Silent Auction. 

The biggest party of the year for 20s/30s in the Episcopal Diocese of New York is the annual "St. Nick’s Party." This year, the celebration will take place on the evening of Saturday, December 7, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery (131 E. 10th St.).

It’s sure to be a festive night, full of all that the season holds. Email the Rev. Adrian Dannhauser to RSVP.

All are invited to Moravian Open Door (347 E. 18th St.) for a service project on Saturday, December 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We’ll assemble 150 “One Little Candle Packs” with MOD residents. Packs consist of a warm hat, gloves, socks, thermal blanket, lip balm and a laminated blessing. 

After assembly of the packs, we’ll enjoy a pizza lunch and then divvy up the packs for distribution on the street either that afternoon or at a time convenient for volunteers. Contact Lenore Ritter to RSVP.

Children of all ages are invited to participate in a short and simple pageant, held in place of the sermon, during the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, December 15. There will be one rehearsal from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14.

Email the Rev. Adrian Dannhauser if your child would like to participate so that we can have enough costumes and parts for all.

In October, we had our first go at a volunteer pick-up choir. Several parishioners joined our professional singers to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and lead the congregation in song. It was a great success, so we're doing it again on Sunday, December 15, at the 11:00 a.m. service. There will be one rehearsal that morning right before the service.

If you'd like to participate, contact Dr. Thomas Reefer. Be sure to let him know the part you sing and your past choral experience.

Lessons and Carols is one of Incarnation’s most beloved services we present each year. Based on the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge, it consists of readings from Scripture interspersed with music for piano, strings and the Incarnation Choir. Join us for this Incarnation tradition on Sunday, December 15, at 6:00 p.m.

After worship, we'll bring out festive food and drink and continue our celebration in the church.

As a special treat, The Crickets, a local glee club, will perform a few numbers. Then we'll all join in to sing more Christmas carols together, accompanied by our Music Director on piano. Partygoers will have the opportunity to cast final bids in the Silent Auction and can also participate in Operation Santa.

As always, we need volunteers in order to bring the Christmas cheer. If you would like to help with the party, please email the Rev. Adrian Dannhauser.

Many people like to make donations for Christmas Flowers and Music as a way to honor loved ones. Please send in your donations by Sunday, December 15, along with any names you would like to be listed in the Christmas Eve leaflet. Your donations will help cover the cost of poinsettias and greens and supplemental choral and instrumental music.

Another holiday custom at Incarnation is the Christmas Fund. The Fund helps people within the Incarnation parish family who need financial assistance; grants from the Fund are made in confidence.

You can use the this form to make gifts for Christmas flowers and music and the Christmas Fund. You can also request offering envelopes for 2025.

Or make your donation online by clicking here and using the dropdown menu. Be sure to include the names of your loved ones in the Memo line.

We are exploring the possibility of creating Incarnation cross necklaces, patterned after the crosses that appear on the Tiffany Doors (the large doors that lead from the church onto 35th Street).

Information on cost and other details coming soon. Check out the mold below!

There is still time to dedicate one of our new LEVAS hymnals to honor a loved one. The dedication cost is $25 per hymnal, and there will be a book plate placed on the inside cover to note the dedication as well as the donor. Click here to donate $25 and dedicate a hymnal. Book plates will be placed in the hymnals by Christmas Eve.

For a church named after the Feast of the Incarnation, Christmas Eve and Day hold an exceptionally special place in our hearts. The murals by John La Farge on either side of the reredos above the high altar depict the nativity, reminding us always of the joy of Christmas brought by the birth of the Christ child. 

Our worship on Christmas Eve includes a Holy Eucharist at 6:00 p.m. with two soloists from the Incarnation Choir and traditional Christmas hymns sung by all. 

Our later service is Incarnation's version of "Midnight Mass" – a beautiful and transcendent celebration of Holy Eucharist with strings, piano and the Incarnation Choir. A musical prelude is offered at 10:30 p.m., and the service begins at 11:00 p.m. I will preach the same sermon at both Christmas Eve services.

The Rev. Canon George W. Brandt will preach on Christmas Day at a service of Holy Eucharist at 11:00 a.m. We also will have a "visit to the crèche" and children's homily for the children present.

I hope you will join us for all the ways we are observing Advent and Christmas at the Church of the Incarnation. As we make room in our hearts and in our lives for Christ to enter anew, may you have a felt sense of Emmanuel (God with us) and an open spirit ready for wonder and awe. “Hark!” the herald angels will sing. There will be glory for our newborn King.

On behalf of the Wardens, Vestry and Staff, I wish you a blessed Advent and truly joyful Christmas.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Adrian Dannhauser, Rector

A Prayer for Advent

Lord Jesus Christ, I give my heart to the loving attention of your living presence within. Help me build my life upon the security of your Word in this uncertain world. I confess I need Christmas to remind me that you are with me. Enduring and eternal, your Spirit upholds all things and dwells within. Be born again through me. In this surrendered heart, I await your return to the world. Amen.

by Peter Traben Haas

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