GRAND ARMY PLAZA — With the flip of a switch, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s official Christmas tree came to life on Wednesday, Dec. 14, with 16,000 twinkling lights shining brightly against the evening sky.

The 28-foot-tall Norway Spruce, covered with those glistening LED lights, stands majestically beneath the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch in Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza.

Bishop Robert Brennan, who led the countdown to the tree lighting, marveled at the sight of the tree, as well as the life-sized Nativity beneath it, sitting at the center of the busy Brooklyn traffic circle.

“And in the middle of all this busyness, we’re proclaiming the joy of Christmas,” he told The Tablet.

Before the ceremony, which was hosted by Currents News Anchor Christine Persichette, a crowd gathered at Grand Army Plaza to see how the tree would look when the lights were finally turned on.

“I just happened to be coming by, and I saw this tree. So I decided to stay and watch,” Jacqueline Lionel said. “I love anything that has to do with Jesus Christ and the day He was born. I guess you can say I’m here to honor Him.”

The theme of this year’s tree can be summed up in one word: Unity.

The multi-colored lights are meant to display the diversity in the Diocese of Brooklyn, which is known as “The Diocese of Immigrants” and where Mass is celebrated in 33 different languages. Shining brightly together, the lights also symbolize the unity in the diocese as well as among Catholics worldwide who are united in the belief that Jesus Christ came into the world to be the savior of all men and women.

“The tree, lit up in the brightly different colors, is really a sign for us of both unity and diversity,” Bishop Brennan said. “Unity means that with our differences, all the different ways that we approach life [and] cultural backgrounds, there is something that pulls us together. And that, for us as Catholic Christians, is our faith.”

The call for unity comes at a time when the nation is divided over many issues, including immigration and the question of how to handle the number of undocumented immigrants who cross over every day from Mexico to enter the U.S.

The tree lighting ceremony, held against the backdrop of music performed by the choir of the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, was sponsored by DeSales Media Group, the technology and communications ministry of the diocese and parent company of The Tablet.

It also featured a prayer for unity from Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Octavio Cisneros, and Father Alonzo Cox.

“May all of us, created in the image and likeness of God, continue to grow in unity as one body, one spirit, one church,” said Father Cox, the director of The Liturgy Office for the diocese. Bishop Mroziewski read a portion of the prayer in Polish, and Bishop Cisneros recited a part in Spanish.

The tree, purchased by the diocese from a family-owned farm in Pennsylvania, was brought to Brooklyn a week before the lighting ceremony. It was cut down, transported to the borough, and set up at Grand Army Plaza by Torsilieri Inc., the company that provides the same service for the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Msgr. Sean Ogle, vicar for clergy for the diocese and chairman of the board of DeSales Media Group, said prayer is important, particularly now.

“Above all,” he said, “we know we need the power of prayer to light up the world’s darkness.”

By John Alexander

One of Brooklyn’s premier music halls, the Emmaus Center, is planning a Christmas spectacular featuring a star-studded cavalcade of some of popular music’s biggest stars. 

The always-anticipated holiday event will be bigger than ever this year, featuring legendary performers such as original Beach Boys member Al Jardine, award-winning singer-songwriter Peabo Bryson, American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart, and New York Tenor host Christopher Macchio. 

Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Williamsburg, called this an extra special event because Christmas hasn’t been celebrated in the venue for the last two years due to the COVID pandemic. “I think we can safely say that with the pandemic mostly behind us, it is truly a cause for celebration,” he said. 

Additionally, he believes that this year’s show, which benefits Futures in Education, an organization that for over 30 years has helped provide financial aid and tuition for students attending Catholic schools and academies in the Diocese of Brooklyn, will help people reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas. 

“It’s about God becoming man, God with us, Jesus with us, Emmanuel, and this concert really helps us to reflect on that and put us in the Christmas spirit,” Msgr. Gigantiello added. 

The Spirit of Christmas follows a series of successful pop, country and contemporary Christian concerts held this fall at the Emmaus Center. This year’s Christmas concert will be bringing a Beach Boy to Brooklyn as Al Jardine takes the stage with his band. Jardine was part of the California group’s original lineup in 1961, alongside Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, and Mike Love. 

In 1962 the group charted their first top-20 hit with “Surfin’ Safari” and in 1963 scored their first No. 1 single, “I Get Around.” In 1965 Jardine sang lead on the group’s second No. 1 hit, “Help Me, Rhonda.” 

Peabo Bryson has released over 30 albums, with five being certified Gold. He’s charted 57 singles, including the 1984 top-20 duet classic “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Roberta Flack and the top-10 hits “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” and “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion. Bryson released his biggest hit in 1992, the No. 1 charting “A Whole New World,” duet with Regina Belle. He also received Grammy Awards for both “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World.” 

American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart has forged a successful career as a singer-songwriter. She made it to third place on the 10th season of the popular competition, covering songs that ranged from traditional jazz favorites such as “At Last” by Etta James and “God Bless the Child” by Billie Holiday to pop hits like the Shirelles’ “Baby It’s You” and The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road.” 

Other artists performing at the concert include classic pop vocalist Jackie DiMaggio, harpist and singer Erin Hill and celebrated pop and Doo-Wop singer Joel Katz. 

Christopher Macchio will serve as host for the show. The world-renowned tenor has performed in some of the most esteemed venues around the globe including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Apollo Theater, and the White House. 

The Emmaus Center is a world-class performing arts theater housed in the historic Williamsburg Opera House, which was built in 1897 and renovated in 2020 and 2021. The 800-seat venue is situated above Ss. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church and located at 299 Berry Street in Williamsburg. 

Craig Tubiolo, executive director of the Emmaus Center and founder of Godsplanproductions.com, believes that these concerts are creating a music evangelization movement within the Diocese of Brooklyn. 

“We believe that the music will bring the listeners to Christ,” Tubiolo said. 

Msgr. Gigantiello said he is hoping to hear some of his favorite Christmas songs during the concert, including his personal favorite hymn, O Holy Night, “about the night Jesus was born and how God became man to be with us, and that’s exactly what we are celebrating and what Christmas is all about.” 

For ticket information please call 718-965- 7394 or email [email protected]