Advent 2023

Dear Friends at Trinity Church:

The Adult Formation Committee has assembled a partial list of the MANY opportunities available to add learning, joy, and meaning to our Advent observances this year. While there are plenty of activities at Trinity Church, the Committee wanted to make finding outside activities more convenient by organizing them in a central location for our parish community. Of course, no one can "do it all," and that's not the intention of these resources, but we hope you may find something here that sparks your interest. We bid you all a Happy Advent and a Merry Christmas.

- The Trinity Adult Formation Committee

Advent Family Craft Workshop

Marquette University Chorus Advent Lessons & Carols

Nashotah House Lessons & Carols

Bel Canto Chorus Christmas in the Basilica

TAIZÉ-STYLE PRAYER SERVICE

Dec. 20 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

SS Peter & Paul Church, 2490 N Cramer St, Milwaukee

Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a Taizé-style Prayer Service. Taizé Prayer is meditative in nature, using music, readings and silent reflection to focus our prayer. It is an ecumenical form of prayer modeled after the Taizé community in France. Christians of all traditions share in this ecumenical prayer whose purpose is to foster reconciliation and peace among all peoples.

BLACK NATIVITY BY LANGSTON HUGHES

  • Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. (Student Matinee at 11 a.m.)

  • Friday, Dec. 8th at 7:30 p.m. (Student Matinee at 11 a.m.)

  • Saturday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.

Wilson Theatre at Vogel Hall, Marcus Center

Black Nativity by Langston Hughes returns for its 8th Annual Holiday Musical Production, December 7-10, 2023, at the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Marcus Center. Hughes’ joyous holiday musical is a testament to his timeless work, telling the story of the Nativity through a combination of scripture, poetry, dance and song from the African-American perspective.

Each year, Black Arts MKE showcases MKE-based professionals and emerging theater talent. We provide new opportunities for next-gen artists to display their artistic skills and work alongside the Marcus Center’s seasoned backstage professionals. This year’s youth internships include talented production/lighting assistant Sienna Clarke from Nicolet High School and returning Black Nativity past cast member and intern, Tabitha Andrews as an ensemble understudy from Pius XI High School.

This year’s all-new Black Nativity production is led by Artistic Director Wanyah L. Frazier and features a new familial take on Hughes’ song play by emerging artist and first year Black Nativity Director Ashley S. Jordan. Choreography is led by international professional dancer and teaching artist Debrasha Greye, along with returning veteran Music Director Antoine Reynolds.

HANDBELL ENSEMBLE CONCERT

Sunday, Dec. 10 from 3-5 p.m.

Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, 1529 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa

ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914

  • Friday, Dec. 1. from 5-6:30 p.m.

  • Saturday, Dec. 2 from 5:30-7 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2-3:30 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 3 from 7-8:30 p.m.

  • Friday, Dec. 8 from 5-6:30 p.m.

  • Saturday, Dec. 9 from 5:30- 7 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 10 from 2-3:30 p.m.

  • Sunday, Dec. 10 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Calvary Presbyterian Church, 935 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233

Vanguard Productions is proud to present, All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 by Peter Rothstein with Music Direction by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach. Set in the harrowing opening months of the First World War, All is Calm tells the story of British, German and French soldiers who laid down their arms to celebrate Christmas together. All is Calm features descriptions of war and violence, however, no violence is depicted onstage. All is Calm would be appropriate for children ten and up.

ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 (Video)

This video is currently available to stream with MILWAUKEE PBS Passport or Amazon Prime Video with Broadway HD (If you have Prime Video, a free 7-day trial of BroadwayHD may be available.)

The Western Front, Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, peace. A remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.

1 h 25 min

LIVE NATIVITY (Free)

Dec. 16 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Performances will be held at 6:30 PM & 7:30PM

Hot Chocolate and sweet treats served after performances.

St. Matthew's Lutheran School, 1650 Brown Street, Oconomowoc, WI 53066

St. Matthew’s annual Live Nativity is back! It will be held at their Brown Street (school) campus again this year. They will be recreating the Village of Bethlehem for spectators to walk through.

A SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS

Thursday, December 7, 2023, 4:45 p.m.

St. Mary’s Chapel, Nashotah House, 2777 Mission Road, Nashotah, WI 53058

Based on the original Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols intended for Christmas, we anticipate the coming of Our Lord in Advent hymns, anthems, readings, and prayers in St. Mary’s Chapel. The Nashotah Choral Scholars, our organ, and the whole community come together to create an inspired liturgy of words and song. The music is drawn from over a thousand years of melodies, from chanted plainsong to well-known hymns and new 21st-century compositions.

Following the service, join us in Grafton Commons for hot cocoa and treats. Children are invited to gather for a story and special appearance by St. Nicholas.

This year's Lessons & Carols service will be available via livestream. For more information, go to https://nashotah.edu/carols/.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL

November 24 - December 24

First Stage Presents

Marcus Performing Arts Center, Todd Wehr Theater, 123 E. State St., Milwaukee

https://www.firststage.org/events-tickets/2023-24-season/the-best-christmas-pageant-ever-the-musical/

The horrible Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. The entire town panics when these rowdy six siblings are cast in the church’s annual Christmas pageant. It’s up to good-hearted Mrs. Bradley to help the Herdmans – and the rest of the town – discover the true meaning of Christmas before it’s too late. Silent night? Not a chance, but sometimes a little joyful noise is just right for Christmas.

1 hour and 30 minutes. Ages 5 & up.

HANDEL'S MESSIAH

  • 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8

  • 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9

  • 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10

Bradley Symphony Center, 212 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee

Learn more: mso.org/concerts/handels-messiah/