By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Hundreds gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" at the Church of the Intercession on Sunday.
Congregants sang along to Christmas carols performed by a string quartet, the church’s "Uptown Brass" band and jazz singers, before actor Malik Yoba read the poem to a crowd of approximately 700 adults and children who packed the Episcopal church 550 West 155th Street, at Broadway, Sunday afternoon.
"I didn’t realize at first what a great tradition this was… the reading of this holiday poem at such a historic site is such an honor," Yoba said.
The event was a unique blend of religious and secular celebration with a rendition of Jingle Bells sung shortly after "Angels We Have Heard on High," which was punctuated by a speech that focused on inclusivity by Rev. José-Roberto Gándara-Perea, Priest-in-Charge of the church.
"I once saw a bumper sticker that read 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season,' and thought that just seems pushy," he said. "The season is truly about God moving toward us. I think he would say we are the reason for the season."
Although the crowd was large, the celebration had a distinct small town feeling as revelers walked on a lantern lit procession after the reading to Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum across Broadway, where a wreath was laid at the gravesite of Moore.
Moore’s father, Benjamin Moore, was the sixth rector of Trinity Parish where the Church of the Intercession was a longtime member until 1976.
St. Nicholas himself made a guest appearance, thrilling children and adults alike, wishing the bilingual congragation a "Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad."
The service ended with a group rendition of "Silent Night" and a short party where hot chocolate, wine, cookies and finger foods were served. .
Washington Heights resident Eddy Joseph, 34, attended the service with his wife and 15-month-old daughter Mira before they plan to visit family in France for the holiday.
"This is our first real Christmas with our daughter and it is beautiful to celebrate it here," he said. "The story was amazing, we can’t imagine a more special way to celebrate together."
