By Scott Barbarino***…’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house…
Most Americans would instantly recognize those words as the opening line of a poem properly titled A Visit From St. Nicholas. Many people would also be able to tell you that it was written by Clement Clarke Moore (July 15, 1779-July 10, 1863). But even fewer people would know that Moore was a distinguished biblical scholar and taught at the General Theological Seminary (an Episcopal Church institution) in New York City for many years.
What’s interesting about the history of “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” and the famous Thomas Nast illustrations that went with it, is that although the poem was first published in 1823 and attributed to Moore, he declined to confirm his authorship until 1837. The reason: Moore was concerned that such a lighthearted bit of frivolity would diminish his stature as a serious biblical scholar.
Tightening the circle, an even smaller group of people would know that the neighborhood we call Chelsea in New York City is called that because Chelsea was the name of Clement Clark Moore’s farm/estate, which occupied much of the land that we now call the Chelsea neighborhood. In fact, the General Theological Seminary was built on land donated by Moore and so thusly was St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on West 20th St. built there. For many years Moore served as the organist at the church as well as one of the members of the vestry (the governing committee of the church).
The Chelsea Community Church, a lay-led nondenominational Christian congregation established in 1975—which meets in St. Peter’s—has, for the past 45 years, presented an annual Christmas concert of Carols and Candles, which features a celebrity reading of “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” This year it will be recited by singer-songwriter and author Rosanne Cash.
This seasonal service has always attracted a full house of worshipers and celebrants, becoming an anticipated and important part of Chelsea’s holiday season. People who no longer live in Chelsea, or even New York City, often plan to return just to attend the service.
Of course, this year, the year of the COVID pandemic, the 46th annual Chelsea Community Church Carols and Candles concert and service will be virtual, on Sunday, December 13 at 6 PM via www.facebook.com/ChelseaCommunityChurchCandlelightCarolService2020 and www.youtube.com/scobarentertainment In honor of this long and happy tradition, we humbly present an updated version of the poem for your enjoyment—it is recited here by Mr. Ricky Ritzel. (Click on the link below.)
‘Twas a Month Before Christmas…
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