Advent and Christmas at Saint James

Preparing our hearts and minds for Christmas

Each year, as we enter the Advent and Christmas seasons, we prepare our hearts and minds for the arrival of God into our world as an infant. During this time of quiet reflection, wonder and expectation, we invite everyone to explore the activities at Saint James to help deepen their Advent experience as we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord.

Advent Wreath-Making &
Christmas Cookie Bake

Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Parish House Forum room

Join us as we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent with an afternoon of festive cheer! Families of all ages and origins are invited to create their own unique Advent wreath. We'll provide the rings, greens, candles and other materials needed to create a beautiful Advent wreath that you can light at home in preparation for the birth of the Christ Child.

Families will also be busy in the kitchen baking and decorating Christmas cookies with all the festive trimmings. At the end of our time together, everyone will be able to take home a delicious selection of baked cookies, along with the beautiful wreaths they create! A pizza lunch will be provided, and all ages are welcome!

Registration is kindly requested for planning purposes. Deadline: Tuesday, November 25th. Click here to register.

Pencil drawing by Scott Wright

Drawing and Meditation with Scott Wright

In the Chapel
Tuesdays, December 2, 9 & 16 | 7:00 PM

Join Artist in Residence, R. Scott Wright, for this unique workshop designed to bridge drawing and meditation - or put more simply, to embrace drawing as a form of meditation. Our goal is to use drawing tools and techniques to locate the sweet spot where keen observation and hand/eye coordination free the mind and calm the breath and the body. Drawing exercises will be demonstrated.

Students should bring whatever drawing tools, pads, etc. they are comfortable using. All ages and experience levels are welcome. $25/session, $65 for all three, or pay as you can by making a donation in Realm.Please click here to register.

A Sound Sanctuary: Meditation for Calm Amid the Holiday Rush

In the Urban Well Yoga Studio
Thursdays, December 4, 11 and 18, 2025 | 6:15 – 7:30 PM

Join Sandra Orndorff—experienced sound healer, life coach, and yoga instructor — as she guides you through an evening of immersive sound meditation. Each session begins with a brief restorative practice to ground the body, then unfolds into a spacious sound bath where you are cocooned in soft light and cozy blankets amidst a soundscape of gongs, singing bowls, chimes and percussion that helps calm the nervous system, ease anxiety and release layers of held tension. Many find this experience brings a depth of relaxation and renewal that feels both restorative and transformative. All sessions are held at the Urban Well Yoga Studio, located on the lower level of 119 North Duke Street. $25/session | $65 for all three. Click here to register.

St. Nicholas Mass and Live Nativity Animals

Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 3:30 - 6:00 PM

Come celebrate the life and gifts of St. Nicholas of Myra with live nativity animals and a joyful procession!

3:30 PM - Visit with nativity animals, enjoy cookies and refreshments, and help create care packages to brighten the holidays for members of our community.

4:30 PM – St. Nicholas arrives by horse-drawn carriage
*5:00 PM – Mass and storytime with St. Nicholas

Children are invited to leave their shoes in the chapel during the service, where they’ll find a special gift from St. Nicholas when they return! Held rain or shine. Click here to view the Mass via livestream.

*Children & Youth Christmas Pageant & Mass

December 24, 2025 | 3:00 PM

Families of all ages are invited to attend this colorful retelling of the birth of Christ presented by our children and youth in full costume under the direction of StephJo Wise, Children, Youth and Family Director. Click here to view via livestream.

2025 Christmas Eve Services

5:00 PM: A Quiet Christmas Mass: Smaller and intimate with incense, candles, chant and carols
*7:30 PM: Christmas Eve Mass | Click here to view via live stream.
*10:45 PM: Musical prelude | Click here to view via live stream.
*11:00 PM: Midnight Mass with incense | Click here to view via live stream.

Christmas Day

December 25: 10:00 AM Holy Eucharist with Carols

*Streamed live

Children, Youth and Families Christmas Cookie Bake (Ages 5-18)

Saturday, December 2, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Parish House Forum room

Gather with us in the parish house kitchen to bake and decorate a variety of holiday cookies while listening to Christmas music. Each child will leave with a sampling of the cookies they baked.

Please register so we can be sure to have enough supplies for everyone! Click here to register!

Blue Christmas

Tuesday, December 21, on the winter solstice

Blue Christmas (also called the Longest Night) is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year which falls on or about December 21, the winter solstice.

On this day, we honor those who have lost loved ones and are experiencing grief. All are invited to visit the churchyard—adorned in blue lighting—which will remain open until 8 PM.

Children's Mass and Pageant

December 24th
Join the community of Saint James for our Christmas Pageant and Mass as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. This annual tradition begins with a prelude featuring our youth followed by the reading of the Christmas narrative while over 40 cast members, in costume, act out the story. All are welcome as we celebrate the birth of our Lord!

Women's Gathering in Advent

December 15, 2 - 2:30 PM via Zoom

Women’s Gathering prepares for Advent in a discussion of St. Hildegard’s life and her vision, “The Redeemer” from Scivias (Know the Ways of God). In “The Redeemer,” she describes how “The Living Light” redeemed the world through the Incarnation.

Saint Hildegard of Bingen was a medieval nun, counselor, healer, philosopher and composer who was one of the few prominent women in medieval church history. She is one of only four women who were named a doctor of the church, meaning that her doctrinal writings have special authority in Roman Catholicism. She is considered by many to be a patron saint of musicians and writers.

If you would like the Zoom invitation to attend, please email Lorraine Rollo.

In the Footsteps of Mary: An Advent Pilgrimage

With Dr. Cordelia Moyse on December 12th at 2 & 4 PM

The theme of the walk is the Magnificat, the joyous song Mary proclaimed when the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of Jesus.

As we make our way through the sanctuary, chapel and churchyard, participants will be invited to think about Mary's powerful vision of the world shaped by faith, hope and love. We will also reflect on the lives of some of the inspiring people for whom Saint James was their spiritual home.

Our walk will begin at the gazebo and will last approximately 40 minutes. Masks and social distancing are required. Held rain or shine.

Men's Spirituality Group

December 12, 8 - 10 AM via Zoom
In this season of Advent, we examine our expectations for life’s transformations and how scripture, prayer, liturgy, and community can help us understand them in the context of God’s grace, mercy and will for our lives. What are we expecting from God through life’s transformations? Join us as we discuss and consider our transformations in this season of expectation.

Hershey Handbell Ensemble to Perform at Saint James

Saturday, 4 - 6 PM in the cloister fountain area

The Hershey Handbell Ensemble will be at Saint James to ring in the sounds of the holiday season from the cloister fountain area from 4 - 6 PM Saturday, December 19th.

Masks and social distancing are required. Event subject to change.