Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, isn't until Thursday, but St. Rose of Lima Church celebrated the day early on Sunday. The church hosted a family event that included music, scripture, dance and pageantry. It also included a live nativity pageant, which included animals like a camel. The Mascarina family portrayed the Holy Family (baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph), and over 350 people attended the event. Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the three wisemen in the Christmas nativity.

First Night Maplewood/South Orange may be hitting its 18th year, but it's still a child at heart. The family-friendly Near Year's celebration which runs from 4:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday, is bursting with the stuff of children's dreams. Organizer Connie Cosgrove promised us "storytelling, crafts, magician, puppet theater, a crazy chemistry show, a ventriloquist, hip hop, a subway musician, and the best balloon sculptor ever! Oh, and fireworks at 6:30 p.m." This year the venue has moved to the South Orange Middle School, 700 Ridgewood Road, South Orange. But you've got to move outside …

All of Millburn's schools have been involved in a variety of gift-giving drives this holiday season. In addition to contributing to the Millburn Police Department's annual Toys for Tots appeal, all schools have held holiday drives to provide gifts to those less fortunate. Hartshorn Elementary School families donated gifts to 250 children from the Department of Youth and Family Services. South Mountain and Wyoming elementary schools also collected for DYFS families, providing 270 gifts in total for those children. Glenwood families donated new and wrapped gifts for 300 needy children in a …

The first hint of winter snows to come didn't quite take me by surprise recently. I had heard that flurries were predicted on the weather channel. Still, spotting  snowflakes fluttering here and there in feisty gusts of wind created a feeling of excitement that made me think of holiday parties, cups of piping hot chocolate, shiny colored paper decorations and all things that glitter.   It was almost the end of Hanukkah and I was feeling more Christmas-y than Hanukkah-ish. I have to blame my Rhode Island-born Jewish mother for the magical pull that Christmas has on me. When I was a child of 6 …

Most churches around Millburn-Short Hills had family-oriented services for Christmas Eve with pageants and music. At Wyoming Church, they also had a living nativity scene to celebrate the holiday. Church services continue on Saturday for Christmas (and through the weekend). Check our listing of services by clicking here. Do you have photos from Christmas Eve? Click "add" to add them to the photo gallery or send them to jen@patch.com.

Christmas pageants, live nativity scenes and candlit carols are all part of Christmas Eve in Millburn-Short Hills. Christians will be heading to church services Friday night to celebrate Christmas, and churches also will hold services on Christmas morning. Below you'll find a list of services happening at churches in Millburn-Short Hills. Some Christmas celebrations extend beyond this weekend. Christ Church in Short Hills Christmas Eve4:30 p.m.: Christmas Pageant10 p.m.: Pre-service concert10:30 p.m.: Christmas Eve Service Christmas10 a.m.: Christmas Day Service Sunday8 a.m.: Holy Eucharist9:…

Whether it represents the hills of Rome, the Catholic sacraments, or, as veteran home cook Rosella Vitale suggests, "lucky lottery numbers," the Seven Fishes dinner is synonymous with Christmas Eve for countless Italian-Americans, especially those with roots in New Jersey and Philadelphia. "Squid, smelts," says Reggie Delphin, owner of Freeman's Fish Market and purveyor of Eden Gourmet's fish, "clams, mussels, sardines, maybe they serve a seafood salad." He and fellow fishmonger Shawn McClure agree that, while every family's order is a little different, the Seven Fishes dinner makes for the …

If you're planning to travel in the coming week, you'll be part of 2.2 million New Jersey residents traveling, a 2.6 percent increase, according to AAA. AAA is predicting the increase for year-end holiday travel from Thursday through Jan. 2 compared to those who traveled during the same period a year ago, according to a press release. Nationally, AAA projects 92.3 million Americans will travel, which is a 3.1 percent increase from the year before. "It's great to see so many people taking trips this holiday season," said Rick Zeckendorf, vice president of travel services, in a press release…

NJ Transit is offering early getaway service on Thursday for people trying to leave New York early because of the holiday weekend. Additionally, the transit company is extending the Family Super Saver Fare starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday through 6 a.m. on Jan. 3. The special fare, which is usually limited to weekends, allows children 11 years old and younger to travel free with each fare-paying adult. Trains are operating on a weekday schedule on Thursday with early getaway service starting at 1 p.m. from New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal on most lines, including …

As my kids get older I'm finding it increasingly difficult to come up with original gift ideas for the holidays. My 5 year old is still thrilled with new markers and an Ugli doll, but pleasing my 7 and 10 year olds is more of a challenge.   They don't need much, but we always have to come up with a long list to satisfy the relatives. While parents can sometimes get away with new sneakers or books, grandparents want that "WOW!" reaction when the darlings break into their booty.   It's hard to find "WOW!" presents year after year—especially with three boys as everything for my oldest gets …

The children at Stepping Stones School in Livingston were treated to a ho, ho, ho hoedown on Friday by young actors from the Paper Mill Playhouse. The finale nearly topped the performance. "After the show is over, isn't it the best when they come out into the audience to share?" said the troupe's director, Mickey NcNany. "It's the best gift they can give—and receive." The Paper Mill Junior All-Stars have been on tour performing for community groups, including senior citizens and children with Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome. Their appearance in Livingston was the final show of their holiday…

A group of Millburn senior citizens got to tell Santa their wishes on Friday. He was on hand for the Friday Friends holiday luncheon at the Bauer Center. In addition to a visit with Santa, the seniors had lunch provided by La Strada and completed a holiday craft, which was sponsored by M-MAC. The seniors created snowmen out of marshmallows, candy and other food items. The Friday Friends is a group sponsored by the township for senior citizens and meets for regular activities.

You won't find a Grinch among the Glenwood Elementary School students, although you'll find one among the teachers. The school held its holiday concert for parents and family on Friday, which included an appearance by the Grinch (a teacher dressed up as him anyway) among the many songs presented by the students.

Millburn Middle School held its annual winter chorus concert on Wednesday night to celebrate the holidays. There were six featured groups that performed for the audience of parents and friends. The Sixth Grade Chorus sang several songs based on children's favorites. The Seventh Grade Chorus sang several carols and songs, several in other languages.  The Eighth Grade Chorus performed several carols and songs from other countries. The combined Seventh and Eighth Grade Girls Chorus sange two song, and the Seventh and Eighth Grade Boys Chorus also sang two songs. The MMS Select Chorus closed the …

Christmas is a little more than a week away, and there's still plenty of music to be heard and other holiday-related activities to get you ready. Millburn Middle School holds its winter chorus concert on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The program will feature holiday favorites, folk songs, Broadway tunes and music from around the world. Millburn High School plays host to its winter concert on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Among the groups performing are Cantica Nova, the Millburn Chorale, the Chamber String Orchestra, the …

No one has ever said that it's difficult to find a gift in Millburn-Short Hills. The perception, though, is items can be a little pricey. But visits to many gift stores in the township prove there are gifts to be bought for under $50. This is the first Millburn holiday season for Linda Costa's Accents in Silver.  She stocks many beautiful items that fall in the under-$50 price range — including picture frames and jewelry. Most are sterling, and free gift wrap is included.  Pretty sterling stretch rings that are studded with Swarovski crystals and beads cost in the $30 range. The baby items …

Music for the holiday season filled the air at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church on Friday night. The church plays host to an annual concert from Father Alphonse Stephenson and the 45-piece St. Peter by the Sea Orchestra. The concert is sponsored by the local Knights of Columbus and attracts many people.

Parents filled the room on Friday morning as they listened to their children sing at Deerfield Elementary School, flashes firing and video cameras rolling. Each class sang one or two songs, many times with a theme to which the students dressed. Each of the elementary schools are holding their annual winter concerts for parents. Deerfield and Hartshorn Elementary School held their concerts on Friday. Glenwood Elementary School's is scheduled for Thursday, South Mountain Elementary School for next Friday and Wyoming Elementary School will hold its concert on Dec. 21. Several shows are held each…

Downtown business owners were busy decorating their windows to celebrate the holidays, and Downtown Millburn Development Alliance has picked the ones it feels are the best. The windows were judged in three categories—Traditional, Non-Traditional and Product Showcase.  The contest winners are: TraditionalWinner: Millburn FloristHonorable Mentions: Emerald GardenSEED387 Non-TraditionalWinner: CurateHonorable Mentions: Gotham City ClothingBardot Lingerie Product ShowcaseWinner: GitoHonorable Mentions: Deborah Gilbert SmithNita Ideas Each first place winner receives a gift certificate to dinner …

Part of the Hanukkah tradition is to share the light of a menorah, usually by placing it in a window for passersby to see. This year, members of the Lubavitch Center of Essex County, Living Legacy and the Friendship Circle, and the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown joined forces to share the light with whole communities of people by organizing the county's inaugural Hanukkah parade.  Led by a red "Menorah Truck," vehicles with large menorahs on their roofs set out from Livingston to wind through a number of Essex County towns, including Millburn-Short Hills. They ended the parade in…