Locals looking to celebrate Christmas in the most traditional of ways have several options in Maplewood and South Orange where Christian churches offer welcoming environments to parishioners and non-parishioners alike. Choose from children’s pageants to live nativities to candlelit services to jazz mass and midnight mass — or celebrate them all!
Seton Hall University Immaculate Conception Chapel, 400 South Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ
Msgr. Anthony Ziccardi welcomes the greater community to celebrate Christmas Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. at the chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Seton Hall University.
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 767 Prospect St, Maplewood, NJ
Following up on Sunday Children’s Concert and Monday’s night Christmas Solace musical event, St. Joe’s will hold Christmas Eve mass at 5 p.m. and midnight. On Christmas Day, mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
New Year’s Day is also a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics — either way, mass is a great way to start off the year on a reflective and communal note. St. Joe’s will celebrate mass for the Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
See more about St. Joe’s schedule and read Pastor Fr. Jim Worth’s message here.
Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church, 500 Ridgewood Rd, Maplewood, NJ
Morrow will host one of the loveliest — and, yes, adorable — events of Christmas with its Live Nativity at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Parish children and real manger animals are featured. The Live Nativity is followed by a Christmas Eve Worship for Families service at 5 p.m., “Christmas Eve, Unplugged” at 7 p.m. and “A Brassy Christmas Eve Celebration” at 11 p.m.
The Episcopal Church of St. Andrew & Holy Communion, 160 W. South Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ
St. Andrew & Holy Communion will begin its Christmas Eve celebrations at 4 p.m. with its Children’s Service, followed by an 8 p.m. Jazz Mass with Willie Williams, 10:30 p.m. Call of Music of Christmas, and an 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Midnight Mass.
On Christmas Day, the church celebrates Christmas Mass at 10:30 a.m.
Prospect Presbyterian Church, 646 Prospect Street, Maplewood, NJ
Prospect Church will celebrate with a Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols at 7:30 p.m. which includes a beautiful Service of Light (see the program here).
Our Lady of Sorrows, 217 Prospect Street, South Orange, NJ
Our Lady of Sorrows will offer Christmas Eve mass at 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Christmas Day mass at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 a.m.
St. George’s Episcopal Church, 550 Ridgewood Rd, Maplewood, NJ
St. George’s offers a Family Service with Children’s Pageant at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Prelude Christmas Concert at 9:30 p.m. leading into the 10 p.m. Candlelit Service with Eucharist, which itself is followed by a potluck reception (bring your own champagne!) in parish hall afterward. Worshippers should come early to find seating as the Christmas Eve events tend to be crowded.
St. George’s celebrates Christmas Day with a 10:30 a.m. service, with music and the Eucharist.
First Baptist Church, 103 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ
First Baptist Church of South Orange, which just celebrated its 120th year, will celebrate Christmas with an 8 a.m. service on Christmas Day.
Wyoming Presbyterian Church, 432 Wyoming Avenue, Millburn, NJ
Wyoming Church will celebrate Christmas Eve with a 4:00 p.m. Family Worship service with the annual pageant and Children’s choirs and a 10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols during which the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 119 Main Street, Millburn, NJ
St. Stephen’s Church in Millburn will celebrate on Christmas Eve with a 5 p.m. Family Service and a 10:30 p.m. Candlelight Service. The Church will celebrate on Christmas Day with a 10 a.m. Christmas Day Service.
Did we forget anyone? Email us at villagegreennj@gmail.com.
Merry Christmas!
