Next week, from nightfall on December 24 through the daylight of December 25, we will celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation, the Nativity of our Savior, and the 193rd birthday of St Paul's Episcopal Church, Key West.
For nearly two centuries there has been a proper Anglican celebration of Christmas in Key West. These Christmas liturgies have taken place in a number of locations: the first one in 1832 was in the Monroe County Courthouse. Through the decades, the Incarnation has been celebrated in four different church buildings called St Paul's, all of them at or near the corner of Duval and Eaton Streets.
This year's celebrations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will also be near that corner but next to rather than inside the fourth church building of St Paul's. With the fourth, that is, current, church building closed for safety and awaiting restoration, we will gather outdoors.
Our celebrations of the Incarnation of God in Christ will be held under a lighted, clear plastic tent parallel to Duval Street. The choir loft will be the downstairs front porch of Kipany House, the historic rectory.
As a rule, lots of people wander into Christmas Eve and Day services at St Paul's at the last minute when they realize we are right there and the service time is nigh. Chances are even greater numbers of impromptu worshipers will join us this time around.
Things are different this Key West season, including this Advent and Christmas season. We are adapting and enjoying the opportunities created by needing to do things differently while the church building is closed. Baby Jesus' arrival will be duly celebrated outdoors on Duval Street in 2025. Just one more sign that our God comes to us where and as we are. That remains the best news of all.
I look forward to celebrating our Savior's birth with you outdoors at 6 PM and 11 PM on Christmas Eve and at 10 AM on Christmas Day. God reigns; let the earth rejoice.
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