Start Spreading the News Part 2

I was going to wait to blog until tomorrow but after accidentally deleting an ENTIRE FREAKING COMPLETED essay question for my final without saving it, I decided to take a mental break and focus on happier times...namely last weekend.

So..there was ice skating, show tunes, good food and more.. What is the more you ask?

First, Grand Central Station (i.e. headquarters for Saturday). We initially checked out GCS for this light show that was there for the holiday season. After seeing it the first time it was quickly determined we must come back at night because it would be EVEN better. But we had a quick bite to eat. We did end up coming back to see round 2 of the light show (and it was better in the dark) and a late afternoon latte and cookie break. We even considered goign back there on Sunday. Moral of the story: We heart GCS.

We were very into the "logo'd" pictures...don't ask.

We also checked out the New York Public Library. I was so happy to finally go inside. The building is absolutely amazing. We weren't allowed to take any pictures but Katie quick snapped this one of us by the Christmas Tree inside.

We also did the obligatory Rockefellar Center tree at night. It was kind of a fly-by as time got away from us at cocktail hour and we were on our way to the show. BUT, we didn't go so fast that I didn't know all the vendors selling cotton candy. Seriously...I love that fluffy stuff. Anyway, it was fabulous and very merry AND bright. Check out all those lights.

Which brings me to the last but certainly not least moment of the trip. I have to warn you that the three of us contemplated taking a pact not to tell ANYONE about this amazing event for fear of it becoming a raging tourist attraction. But, I will share here and then never speak of it again.

This is definitely one of my top 5 Christmas moments of all time....and I love Christmas. Alright...

We had originally planned to go to this church concert but at the last second it got cancelled. So, we decided to just start googling all sorts of different churches in the area. We came across The Brick Church on Park Avenue, and found out they did caroling and a tree lighting. AND it came in at our price...free.

So we headed out Sunday night in the freezing cold and wind, and showed up just in time to be surrounded by "Fur and Chanel" (as Summer pointed out), a children's choir, a brass quartet and four blocks of Park Avenue blocked off by the NYPD.

The Pastor came out and said a few touching words and the merriment began. THIRTEEN Christmas carols were belted out on the cold night. We were flanked by a young family with three little girls on one side and a group of elderly couples behind us. From Hark the Herald Angels Sing, to Silent Night to Deck the Halls each song swelled up within the group. The Christmas Spirit was alive and in full force at that moment.

And then...the Pastor told everyone that the first Christmas they did this was during WWII and each year Taps is played to honor those who have fallen and those who are currently serving. The taps player was phenomenal, and after he was finished the pastor exclaimed: LET THERE BE LIGHT!" and the trees on Park Avenue lit up the night.


Not to sound cheesy but it was seriously magical (can't you see it on our faces?). And for that reason, the three of us are already planning our trip next year to coincide with the date of the Brick Church Tree Lighting and Caroling.

Now...all of you have to swear not to tell anyone. Cross your heart.