Christmas Eve in Gladwyne, PA Offers Tidings Sacred and Secular

Children dressed in period costumes pose before filing into pageant procession.

” … Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Till he appear’d, and the soul felt its worth.” – O Holy Night

Story, photos by Sharon Kozden

St. John Vianney Church in Gladwyne staged on Christmas Eve an outdoor mass featuring live animals and a Christmas pageant with costumed children portraying the usual cast of characters in the story that is the Nativity of Jesus.

On the day prior to Christmas Eve, I noticed large tents, outdoor heat lamps and warming fire pits being erected and installed on the front lawn of the Parish House adjacent to the church. Green outdoor carpeting had been rolled out, and hay was strewn in an area cordoned off for a menagerie of animals that included sheep, goats and a donkey a.k.a. those not likely to be found at the neighboring Gladwyne Animal Hospital. I would not have been surprised if a camel had been represented.

Curious, I nipped onto the parish website and discovered that the alfresco mass would replicate the very first one held in Bethlehem. From 19035 to the biblical birthplace of Jesus without having to endure any holiday airport travel delays as Omicron surges and spreads. Count me in!

Fortunately, the weather was seasonally temperate for the late afternoon celebration. Folks arrived early with lawn- and camping chairs to stake ideal viewing spots.

I was immediately drawn to the animals. These magnificent creatures wandered beneath a grand tent, interacting with curious and engaged kiddos, who hugged and petted them with delight. No one seemed to care when errant hay straws clung to seasonal Sunday-best threads.

A beautiful manger scene in front of the church was well-lighted, colorful and lifelike in its details, depicting the miracle and glory of Christmas as celebrated by Christians the world over. The replica of the rustic outpost shelter, where baby Jesus was believed born (for lack of room at any inn), is often referred to as a creche and was festooned with fragrant white-pine roping. As both a logophile and a Francophile, I’m enamored with the word creche, borrowed from the French and referring to a stall, crib or manger. And I’m guessing that, since Mary and Joseph weren’t members of Philadelphia’s Union League, Gladwyne’s erstwhile Old Guard House Inn (now The Union League Guard House) was an obvious “no vacancy” for the couple in search of shelter.

St. John Vianney’s resident Pastor Father Bill Donovan said the mass with his usual passion, warmly welcoming and offering blessed Christmas greetings to those in attendance. Beautiful vocals and uplifting song filled the air. Families and those present clearly enjoyed the observance, festive atmosphere and post-mass congregating. Now about that camel for 2022’s service …

But wait … there’s more! Several hours after the religious celebration, sirens rang out in not-so-silent-night fashion to herald the arrival of Santa who, along with members of Gladwyne Fire Company, visited various scheduled locations while handing out candy canes and wishing happy holidays to all who came out. At the cul-de-sac on Monk Road, Gladwyne’s volunteer heroes made an adorable fuss over my puppy, bellowing her name and holding her aloft.

While the turn-out was not as populous as in pre-pandemic years, I was happy to reconnect with several neighbors. Challenging current times notwithstanding, I managed to feel a sweet nostalgic tinge reminiscent of Christmases past. The only missing element was the white stuff; however, snow arrived not long after the holidays to gently blanket lovely Gladwyne.

My brother Michael, who resides in Southern California, claims the photographs I shot of Gladwyne Animal Hospital and the church’s creche just after snowfall appear like some vision from a snow globe. When I revisited said snaps, I wholly agreed and could almost see the soft and always uniquely unique flakes falling. Shaken, not stirred. There’s no place like home.

The stone exterior of St. John Vianney Church decked out for the holiday looms lovely between tree branches.

Vibrant red poinsettias and evergreen wreaths decorate the altar in an interior shot of St. John Vianney Church.

A lighted manger scene festooned with white-pine roping and strewn hay fronts the church.

As shepherds mind their flocks, this angel watches over Baby Jesus and all “hoomans” and animals present at the Nativity.

St. John Vianney’s Father Bill Donovan greets congregants from the Parish House’s porch.

A “floofly” pair of angels await their pageant-entry cue.

At the intersection of Youngs Ford Road and Conshohocken State Road, a large crowd gathers to celebrate a very special Christmas Eve Mass.

“O Come Let Us Adore Him.” And the faithful, beautifully and respectfully outfitted, came to worship.

Gladwyne’s Merion Square Scout House appears stately in the distance; however, this shot’s focal point is an adorable tyke giving me the wary eye. Too cute!

There’s never a wrong time or place for … as the Brits say … a lie-in. Shout out to my teacher-sister, Sandy, an inveterate napper living in New York, who will love this snapshot of a sweet little girl doing her “you be you” thing.

Matching powder-blue pom-pom hats keep these girls warm. Boop my cap!

A girl with long golden tresses and another in curly updo love up some animal peeps. But the cut-out heart leggings in the background!

Do not come shear me! I woke up like this. Bed hair, don’t care. Tee. I am enjoying this sheep’s bad-arse fluff cover.

Clock the sibling factor on this boy and girl, while presumably Mom casts a protective, watchful eye.

Pink puffer-sporting girl makes friends with a gentle member of the animal kingdom.

I can has love! After an initial tentative outreach (previous photo), these two have clearly bonded as BFFs.

Can anything be more precious than this furry donkey with a shy eye? Um, yes … see next photo.

Pig-tailed girl gets the shy eye from a gentle donkey as she reaches out with a nibble.

Signage posted at the cul-de-sac of Monk Road signals Santa’s intended traditional Christmas Eve arrival via fire engine.

Tillie Rose Kozden poses with candy cane-toting Santa Claus while enjoying puppy love from some of Gladwyne Fire Company’s finest. “Miss Tee-row” is due for a grooming session, but Santa’s hirsute look is spot-on.

Writer Sharon Kozden and puppy Tillie Rose (named in honor of her nearly 95-year-old, Covid 19-surviving mother) at home in Gladwyne on Christmas Day, 2021. Who am I wearing? Why, Walmart, natch. I nabbed these velveteen holiday-themed overalls for a steal at $20. Pink Santa cap by Victoria’s Secret, Pasadena, California. Puppy is chic in Blueberry Pet rose-print harness and matching leash.

Sometime post-Christmas, the white stuff arrived in Gladwyne. I captured at dawn the house that is a hospital. “Gladwynites” are especially fond of their animal friends.

Imagine the GAH (Gladwyne Animal Hospital) in a snow globe. The warmth and inviting charm of this scene is matched only by the exceptional care and love given to all who enter. Owner Dr. Carrie Sutor and Team GAH are the consummate and caring professionals.

A scene worth repeating. A blanket of snow envelops “a very, very fine house with two cats and a yard.” Stage right from the front door is a wooden bench, where I once spent many hours grieving the loss of my beloved kitten Lilyaulait, who lost her battle with FIP after a valiant attempt to save her. I cannot thank enough Team GAH for the consolation they showered me with during a painful-even-now-to-recall period in my life.

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”