The Twelfth Day of Christmas Brings A Musical Celebration;
Weymouth Churches Hold Epiphany Concert for the Community
 The twelve days of Christmas end January 6 with the Feast of Epiphany, but Victor DeRubeis’ thought this day was an under-celebrated holiday in the American Christian tradition.
DeRubeis, the music director at the East Weymouth Congregational Church UCC grew up in a family that “made a great deal about the epiphany.” His mother, a great influence in his life, was Roman Catholic and a firm believer in ecumenism.
“In European countries, Epiphany is the day they give gifts to one another,” said DeRubeis. “So I thought it would be fitting to give the gift of music to the community.”
That’s when he decided to hold a concert – an afternoon of music that would take place on the day of Epiphany Sunday (also known as "Little Christmas") --and would involve other churches in the surrounding area of Jackson Square. The concerts began in 1999, and after his mother died in 2003, DeRubeis wanted to continue to honor her memory.
This past January marked the ninth annual "A Little Christmas in Jackson Square” Epiphany concert. The event, launched with the East Weymouth Congregational Church senior choir and two soloists, has evolved into a town-wide celebration featuring musicians from eight churches. There is participation from both UCC churches and non-UCC churches.
According to DeRubeis, this past event featured East Weymouth Congregational, First Church in Weymouth, Old South Union Congregational and Union Congregational Church of Weymouth and Braintree -- all Weymouth UCC churches – as well as Roman Catholic parishes and a Pentecostal congregation. First Congregational Church UCC traveled from Randolph to sing along with Union Congregational.
“This was always intended to be an ecumenical event,” said DeRubeis. “There’s so much polarizing in Christianity that it’s great to share what the various congregations have in common rather than argue about what they don’t.”
The concept is simple. The event runs for 2 hours; each group brings something unique to the concert each year. Then they sing together for Handel's famous "Hallelujah" [Alleluia] Chorus from The Messiah.
About 450 people attended this year's event, filling the sanctuary and fellowship hall at the East Weymouth church. Originally there was a charge to attend the event, but DeRubeis felt the fee kept people away. They now just ask for a ‘free will offering.’
“When you ask people to give what they can, they respond,” said DeRubeis. Since 2003, the free will offering has raised more than $4,300 for the Weymouth Food Pantry, which provides food for the hungry in Weymouth.
“Although my mother died four years ago, her spirit is present and driving and has inspired me to honor her memory. It’s a blessing today to get everyone together to sing.”
In Jackson Square, God is Still Speaking -- and singing.
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