Whether you are local to the DC area or you are traveling from across the country this holiday season, we hope to connect with you this Advent and Christmas season. With music arts at the heart of our ministry, this is a season that shimmers with the mystery of the season. Advent is also a time where we deepen our year round commitment to our feeding and serving ministry. Please take time to explore the many offerings of the Advent and Christmas season and make plans to connect with National City and our many ministries this holy season.
Worship During Advent
We offer worship each Sunday in person and online at 11am ET. During the season of Advent we will be exploring the theme From Generation to Generation,
November 30 – This first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope, will be led by our youngest generation as a Youth-led worship. Everyone is invited to wear purple to celebrate the start of our Advent season. After worship all are invited to participate in the “Hanging of the Greens” as we decorate our sacred spaces.
December 7 – The second Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Peace. We will have a worship that explores our holy call to bring peace into the world with congregant written poetry and liturgy that invites us to think of peace in our past, present, and future.
December 14 – On the third Sunday of Advent we wear pink to celebrate the Sunday of Joy! We will again have a poem by a member of our community and an intergenerational Advent Wreath candle lighting.
December 21 – The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Love as we get ready to welcome the Christ child into our midst. We will also have special music in worship that you won’t want to miss.
December 24, 6pm Christmas Eve Worship – Join us for our candlelight service featuring the reading of the Christmas story and special music
Serve During Advent
Great Day of Giving – Join us on December 17 from 10am – 1pm as we continue our annual tradition of providing food and warm clothing to our neighbors in need. Volunteer for the event or make a donation today to make the Christmas season one of care for all our neighbors.
Celebrate During Advent
Breakfast with Santa – An annual Advent tradition, join us for Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 13 from 9 – 11am. This event is free and includes breakfast, pictures with Santa (and Mrs. Clause), crafts, activities and the Christmas Story.
Music During Advent
The Christmas season is a time when our music ministry dazzles. From the programs we host such as Music at Midday to opening our space to national and local partners to offer a space that is sacred and special for this time of year. We hope that you will make a performance at National City a priority if you are visiting the DC area.
Wednesday, December 3
6:30pm – Candlelight Concert: Queen vs. ABBA
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Washington DC. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen vs. ABBA at National City Christian Church under the gentle glow of candlelight. Find tickets HERE.
8:30pm – Candlelight Concert: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Washington DC. Get your tickets now to discover Neo-Soul Favorites at National City Christian Church under the gentle glow of candlelight. Find tickets HERE.
Friday, December 5 at 12:15pm – Music at Midday: Christopher Reynolds
Organist Christopher Reynolds (Richmond, Virginia) will perform works of Kevin Hildebrand, J. S. Bach, Herbert Howells, and Louis Vierne. Learn more about Music at Midday HERE.
Sunday, December 7 at 5pm – Children’s Chorus of Washington: Voices of Peace, Hope, and Joy
Featuring special guest tenor, and CCW board alumnus Robert Baker, the program offers uplifting music, inspiring connection, light, and joy. Voices of Peace, Hope, and Joy brings CCW’s community together in a seasonal winter concert. Featuring special guest tenor and CCW board alumnus Robert Baker, joined by our Concert Concert, Young Men’s Ensemble, and Advanced Bel Canto, the program offers uplifting music that inspires connection, light, and shared joy. Learn more HERE.
Wednesday, December 10 at 8:30pm – Candlelight Concert: Best of Hans Zimmer
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Washington D.C. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Hans Zimmer at National City Christian Church under the gentle glow of candlelight. Get tickets today HERE.
Friday, December 12 at 12:15pm – Music at Midday: Eric Bowman
Eric Bowman (Charles Town, West Virginia) will present arrangements of familiar Christmas music by composers Lani Smith, Andre Fleury, J. S. Bach, Wayne Wold, Emma Lou Diemer, and Myron Roberts. Learn more about Music at Midday HERE.
Saturday, December 13 at 4pm – National Children’s Chorus: Winter Showcase
This is why our acclaimed Showcases are among our favorite events each year, highlighting the talents and achievements of ensembles in both the Junior and Senior Divisions. In December, children as young as five through our advanced singers will demonstrate the extraordinary progression of vocal skills at the National Children’s Chorus in a uniquely loving and supportive environment. Don’t miss this joyous culmination of the season as the full Children’s Chorus family comes together! Get your tickets HERE.
Saturday, December 20 at 4pm – The Thirteenth: Handel’s Messiah
The Thirteen performs all three parts of Messiah—including the iconic “Hallelujah Chorus”— telling the greatest story ever told in song. Featuring the region’s only all-professional Messiah, our orchestra of the nation’s finest period instrumentalists, and our “dazzling” choir, whose members—center-stage soloists all—will sing Messiah’s iconic solos and duets in a kaleidoscope “of distinctive approaches to these famous arias” (Washington Classical Review). Get your tickets HERE.
This holiday season we hope to connect with you as you connect with the art and stories that make the Christian faith come alive