After decades, some traditions become ingrained in the culture of a neighborhood. For Chestnut Hill, Caroling at the Crèche is one such event. Since Hill resident Peggy Hebard first organized the event in 1952, neighbors of all ages have been gathering to sing carols the Monday evening before Christmas. 

This beloved tradition, rain or shine, will continue this year as carolers gather at Christ Ascension Lutheran Church (CALC) at 8300 Germantown Ave. at 7 p.m. on Dec. 23.

It’s a gathering that has a storied history of people coming together to put on an old-fashioned event – and keep alive the meaning of Christmas. No one gets paid; it's just a group of dedicated volunteers who put their time and effort into bringing holiday cheer to Chestnut Hill.

Nancy Block, this year's main organizer, credits the event's success to a network of committed individuals. Janine Dwyer handed on the tradition of organizing to Block, while Ginny and Tom Williams donated the greenery and help manage the crèche setup and takedown. Natalia Dominguez Buckley will create the lyric sheets and handle marketing. Mt. Airy residents Kweli and Melissa Washington, along with their son Yves and his grandmother Norine, are the most recent additions to the volunteer team.

"There has never been any budget," Block explained. "It was all donations and volunteers, people coming together at the same time every year."

The event requires significant coordination, from erecting the crèche after Thanksgiving to printing song sheets, arranging refreshments, organizing musicians, and finally dismantling the crèche after the Feast of the Epiphany.

Over the years, Caroling at the Crèche has been held at various Chestnut Hill locations, including the Chestnut Hill Library, the Chestnut Hill East station, and the former Santander Bank at the top of the Hill. When the bank closed, CALC became a welcoming venue. This is the fourth year at CALC, made possible through the graciousness of interim pastor, the Rev. Janet Peterman.

Block, who began her involvement in the early 2010s, notes that attendance typically ranges from 50 to 150 people, and spans generations – from babies to grandparents, with some families having multiple generations attending together. The evening features 15 to 17 carols, mixing religious and nonsectarian songs, and welcoming people of all faiths.

A group of talented volunteer musicians, including Block's three children, provide the musical accompaniment. 

"They're very accomplished," Block says. "They can just look at the song sheets and the chords, and if my voice is froggy they'll lower it or change the key. I have zero worry about the musicians."

After the caroling session, everyone gathers inside the church for refreshments and fellowship. This year's refreshments will feature donations from local businesses including Zipf's Candies, Chestnut Hill Brewing Company, Starbucks, McNally's, and the Pretzel Factory in Glenside. The children at CALC's preschool will help bake cookies, while Chestnut Hill resident Paul Roller continues his tradition since 1983 of preparing his famous mulled cider.

Despite all this neighborly camaraderie, hosting an event like this year after year is not without its challenges. The 2020 gathering was canceled due to Covid, and many organizers have fallen ill or passed away over time. 

Yet the community's commitment remains steadfast. "One year the crèche was dropped and the roof came off, but my husband fixed it that summer," Block said. "That kind of shows that we'll get it done. We'll do it."

For Block, the event's longevity holds special meaning. 

"Traditions can live on, despite all the changes, all the technology, all the strife, and all the negativity that people feel," she said. "They can still, one night every single year...show up and sing in solidarity."

Caroling at the Crèche will be at 7 p.m., Dec. 23, at Christ Ascension Lutheran Church, 8300 Germantown Ave.