PROSPECT HEIGHTS — With the flip of a switch in Grand Army Plaza on Dec. 13, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony became a dazzling display of light and harmony.
For almost a decade, the ceremony has brought Christmas cheer and the Nativity scene to the plaza, drawing people in under one theme: unity.
Bishop Robert Brennan officiated the ceremony and blessed the tree and neighboring Nativity scene. His fourth time leading the event, Bishop Brennan said the anticipation grows a little bit more each year as he is reminded that “Jesus already lived among us.”
“The tree lighting really does set the tone for our upcoming celebrations as we continue to get ready for the coming of the Lord,” he said. “As we get closer to our Advent, we cry out ‘Come, Lord Jesus,’ but we remember that God actually did live among us, and we celebrate that coming with Christmas.”
The ceremony was sponsored by DeSales Media Group, the technology and communications ministry of the diocese and parent company of The Tablet.
Keenan Ferguson, who attended the tree lighting ceremony with his partner, said that regardless of the weather, it’s important to attend events that bring people together.
“I am happy that there are people helping put this together for us,” Ferguson said. “I feel like it brings us together, and I think that we all need to be together and support each other, and this time of year brings that out of people.”
The 28-foot Norway Spruce tree can be found in front of the Alexander Skene statue, adjacent to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch. The traditional location under the arch was moved this year due to the ongoing reconstruction of the structure.
However, Msgr. Sean Ogle, vicar for clergy and consecrated life for the diocese and chairman of the board of DeSales Media Group, said that the new location doesn’t diminish the celebration. He noted that, like many things, the arches need improvement, and renovations can only make the celebration better once they are complete.
Msgr. Ogle also emphasized the importance of faith on Christmas, as opposed to the material aspect.
“The tree is a symbol of natural life that God gives to the world, and sometimes we don’t have those kinds of signs of life, but we do have an inner life that comes with faith, hope, and above all — the charity of love,” Msgr. Ogle said. “Look at your life of faith and its growth. You don’t have to have the biggest and best tree; you can have the biggest and best love for people.”
Christine Persichette, anchor of Currents News on NET-TV, was hostess for the night and led the countdown to the lighting. She said she is honored to be a part of the annual tradition and hopes to see more people take part in the holiday celebration next year.
“It’s wonderful to be in the Diocese of Brooklyn, lighting up this beautiful tree and having the bishop by my side,” Persichette said. “It really starts the Christmas season off for me.”
The 17,000 multi-colored lights are meant to represent the diversity of the diocese, often referred to as the “Diocese of Immigrants.” The event also featured a Christmas musical presentation by The Opera Next Door, a Brooklyn-based opera company.
Because of the diocese’s multicultural and diverse communities, Masses are regularly celebrated in 26 different languages across the diocese, which spans 172 parishes and 211 churches.
Caleb Ollivant came to share the celebration with his two kids, marking their first time coming as a family.
“We just moved to New York, and the kids wanted to see a big tree light up,” Ollivant said. “It’s cold, but these kids didn’t mind it. My son said, ‘Wow!’ when the lights came on.”
