Tableaux Services (Sunday, December 14, 2025: 2:30, 4:15, 6:00, and 7:45 pm, Bryn Athyn Cathedral Nave & Online)
Come see the Christmas story presented in living pictures. The scenes will be depicted while the story from the Word is read. There will also be a chance to walk up to see the nativity scene, while the angel and shepherd choir sings.
Changes for 2025
There are a number of changes this year:
Earlier Tableaux Service Times
All the tableaux services have been moved earlier. The new times are 2:30, 4:15, 6:00, and 7:45 pm.
A Shorter First Tableaux Service
The 2:30 p.m. service will be shorter — about 35 minutes instead of 45. This service will include the following scenes: the annunciation to Mary; Joseph’s dream; going to be registered; the manger scene; the angels appearing to the shepherds; the congregation invited to come to the manger, while the shepherd and angel choir sings; the wise men; and a shortened version of the risen Lord at the end. The congregational hymns and their accompaniment will also be simpler for this service.
Full-Length Later Services
The 4:15, 6:00, and 7:45 pm services will be the normal length of around 45 minutes and will include all the scenes above plus: the prophecy of Isaiah; Gabriel appearing to Zacharias; Mary visiting Elizabeth (and the singing of “The Magnificat”); the naming of John; the flight to Egypt; Jesus growing up; and the candle procession at the end while the congregation sings “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light.”
Choose What’s Best for Your Family
Everyone is welcome at any service! Some people may love the shorter 2:30 service; others might feel like it’s worth bringing their little kids to one of the longer services to experience all the scenes. It’s your call as to what works best for your family this year.
Live Animals After the First 3 Services
There will be live animals near the porte cochère on tableaux Sunday. They will be available to see after the first three services.
Admission
There is no cost to attend the tableaux services, but if you feel moved to, you can place a monetary contribution in one of the offertory bowls. The basket offerings from the Tableaux services on December 14 will again be a gift to the pastors of Bryn Athyn Church. This is an opportunity for our congregation to express our heartfelt gratitude to the pastors who so devotedly serve our church. If you would like to donate online, please visit brynathynchurch.org/donate and enter “Tableaux” as the comment.
Parking
There is parking available on the Cathedral grounds and overflow parking available near the Glencairn Museum and across Huntingdon Pike at Bryn Athyn College.
No Photography
Because this is a worship service, please leave your camera at home.
No Other Worship Services on this Date
This is the only worship service offered on this date. we will not have any of our regular morning worship services (Young Children's, Informal Family, Family, Adult). However, you can tune in at the regular Adult Service time to watch a rebroadcast of a service from 2013. The Rt. Rev. Brian Keith was the minister and the title of his sermon was "The Name 'Jesus.'"
Watch the Christmas Tableaux Services Online
All 4 services will also be live-streamed. You can watch them here. (Note that other upcoming services will be shown on the player below before the day of the tableaux services.)