Christmas Tableaux Sunday Dec 14

Confession  - I resisted going to the Bryn Athyn Church tableaux when they were first held at the cathedral.  Part of me remained forever loyal & true to when they were presented at the Assembly Hall  & part of me resisted a non-traditional church service at the cathedral.  

Oh, those wasted couple of years!  Because the tableaux are as perfect a fit with the cathedral as any Sunday service, wedding or baptism! 

If you can possibly make it to any of the many presentations, GO.  

Yes, the tableaux are bigger & more dramatically presented than when I first experienced them in an unusually hushed Assembly Hall, the Bryn Athyn Choir massed to the right & back of the huge room.  Now, a massive "Shepherd's Choir" of practically every age sings from the cathedral chancel.  The size & range is changed, but the simple, loving faith still rings out.  Still gives me goose bumps that the first time I ever heard Mary, Do You Know? was at one of our tableaux!

"Live animals?!" I thought, back in those first years.  Yes, live animals.  And shepherds with a camel gathered around a fire on the cathedral lawns.  It can sound over the top, but it feels...  right.  Children can gently pet the camel, sheep & donkey - this is possibly my husband's favorite moment of the tableaux, it seems to make it all so much more real to him. 

 

It's such a blessing that the tableaux have become widely loved among so many from surrounding communities, with many people of many faiths not only attending, but also becoming part of them.  For many individuals & families, participating each year is a treasured holiday tradition.  Many scenes are inspired by illustrations from Maud & Miska Petersham's, The Christ Child.

Free and open to the public, the events will held at the 90-year-old gothic-style cathedral, 900 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, known for its stained glass and unique architecture.
 

 

A “Christmas Tableaux” will be presented Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Some 50 actors in costume, joined by live sheep, goats and a camel, tell the Christmas Story. 

Another special tradition is the wonderful Children's Tableaux, at Heilman Hall, also this Sunday but with only one presentation - 4:00 p.m.  Heilman Hall is at 600 Tomlinson Road (the building to the far left of the Bryn Athyn Elementary School & pastor's office).