Christmas services at the Cathedral
For directions to the Cathedral and parking information, click here.
Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 8 at 5 p.m.
This service of music and lessons is a delight to share with friends. Following the service will be a reception for everyone to enjoy.
Las Posadas
Monday, December 16, to Tuesday, December 23, at 6 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral members, families, and friends get together in parishioner homes each night from December 16-24 to commemorate the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus.
All begin at 7 p.m. with the exception of the Christmas Eve Posada/service, which begins at 6 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral.
To get the full addresses, email Sylvia Garcia or call her at (713)590-3329.
Monday, December 16, 2019
Host House: Eric & Ana Portillo, Pearland, TX 77584
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Host House: Alonso & Blanca Ávila, Houston,TX 77065
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Host House: Margarita Vargas, Houston,TX 77017
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Host House: Carlos & Patricia García, Houston,TX 77011
Friday, December 20, 2019
Host House: Bob & Anna Nettles, Houston,TX 77009
Saturday, December 21, 2019 (Gran Posada)
Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Ave., Houston,TX 77002
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Host House: Marco & Concepción Diaz, South Houston, TX 77587
Monday, December 23, 2019
Host House: Consuelo Bravo & Patty Alcocer, Houston, TX 77087
Tuesday, December 24, 2019, at 6 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002
Christmas Eve Service (en espanol)
The Longest Night
Friday, December 20, at 6 p.m.
“The Longest Night” service is a candlelit service of hope that might bring comfort in the dim and dark times of life. The holidays can be filled with beautiful sights, sounds, smells, and memories. However, for many, the holidays can be a difficult time for many different reasons.
It could be that this year, you are facing something hard in life. There might be an empty chair at the table that has been filled by someone your whole life. It could be that you had hoped to have a new bundle of joy and yet that dream hasn’t been fulfilled. Maybe you can’t make it “home” to be with family and you’re longing to be in a place where you are known. As some count down the days until Christmas celebrations, others count down the days until Christmas is over, and life can go back to “normal, whatever that is. If this resonates with you or someone you know, please join us in worship just as you are in this holiday season.
This service uses modern language and includes a healing prayers and communion. This service is come-as-you-are, so people will be dressed in a variety of ways. For more about this service, contact Minister for Pastoral Care Jody Gillit.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is truly special at Christ Church Cathedral. We recommend you arrive early to secure parking and a seat. Click here for directions and parking information.
There will be child care available from 3-9:30 p.m. for children ages two months to five years. Scroll to learn more.
Family Service at 4 p.m.
4 p.m. Family Eucharist, Rite 2, and the Christmas Play
This service, designed for families and children, includes many Christmas carols and the Christmas play. The service uses modern language, and there will be communion. Most people who attend are in festive Christmas attire, unless they are in costume!
All children are invited to participate in our narrated Christmas Play. You can borrow one (conveniently located in either entrance to the Cathedral) of our costumes, or bring one of your own (all animals, including dinosaurs, are welcome in our manger.) There will be a live baby Jesus, and lots of fun. Additionally, there are Children’s worship bags located at the entrance doors to enhance your child’s worship experience – and on this night, they are our gift to you to take home and enjoy!
If your child would like to participate more robustly in the Christmas Play this year, be sure to come to Christmas Camp on Saturday, December 14, for a morning of Christmas activities crafts, games, and a service project for our brothers and sisters at The Beacon, as well as Christmas Play practice.
Childcare will be available during this service. Please see childcare information below.
La Misa de Nochebuena empieza a las 6 p.m.
Esa noche entramos al templo cargando el pesebre que llevamos durante nuestras Posadas en los vecindarios, y glorificamos a Dios por el Nacimiento del Niño Jesús, nuestro Cristo. Es la noche más importante de la estación de la Navidad. Les animamos a todos y todas a celebrar con nosotros esa noche tan especial para nuestra experiencia de fe. Por favor participen con su familia y amigos. ¡Dios, en la persona de Jesús, se hace humano como nosotros para salvarnos!
Choral Eucharist at 8 p.m.
7:30 Harp and Organ Prelude
8:00 Choral Eucharist, Rite 2, with the Parish Choir
This Christmas Eve service features Christmas carols, scripture, and wonderful preaching. This service uses modern language, and there will be communion. Some people attending the service will be wearing dressy holiday clothing, but dressing up is not necessary. This service tends to be less crowded than the other Christmas Eve services.
Childcare will be available during this service. Please see childcare information below.
Midnight Festival Eucharist at 11 p.m.
10:30 Cathedral Choir and Instrumentalist Prelude
11:00 Festival Eucharist, Rite 1, with the Cathedral Choir, Organ, and Instrumental Accompaniment
Resplendent music and traditional candle-lit Christmas Eve service. There will be a full choir and procession in the style of an English Cathedral. Traditional liturgical language will be used in the service, and there will be communion. Some people attending the service will be wearing dressy holiday clothing, but dressing up is not necessary. Be sure to come early to secure seating in the Cathedral.
Childcare on Christmas Eve
Children are welcome to worship with their families at all services at Christ Church Cathedral. However, there will be childcare available from 3:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Children ages two months through five years are welcome to be dropped off before or during the service. Childcare is in the Jones Building; you can follow the Agnus (lamb) signs to childcare and sign in your child. You will be required to leave a cell phone number so that you may be reached anywhere on campus.
Christmas Day
10 a.m. Rite 2, with organ and carols
This joyful Christmas Day service is replete with our favorite Christmas hymns and carols. This service uses modern language, and there will be a wide variety of how people are dressed, although most dress festively to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas Season (The 12 Days of Christmas)
The First Sunday in Christmas
Sunday, December 29, 2019
In the Anglican tradition, Christmas doesn’t end on Christmas Day! Here at Christ Church Cathedral, we celebrate the whole twelve days of Christmas. Our regular Sunday schedule resumes (with services at 8, 9, 11, 1 [in Spanish] and 5) but we will be enjoying Christmas carols and a beautifully decorated Cathedral. At 10 a.m., there will be gingerbread cookies and gingerbread house decorating.
The Second Sunday in Christmas
Sunday, January 5, 2020
This year there are two Sundays in Christmas. Come and enjoy the extended season and bask in post-holiday peacefulness with services at 8, 9, 11, and 1 (in Spanish).
Epiphany Choral Evensong
Sunday, January 5., at 5 p.m.
We welcome the coming of the wise men and the beginning of the Epiphany season with a traditional sung evening prayer and music with our outstanding Cathedral Choir. People dress in a variety of ways to attend evensong. There will be a brief and optional service of communion after the evensong. All are invited to enjoy a reception following the service in Reynolds Hall.
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