Advent Lessons and Carols
Saturday, December 9, 4pm (Free)
The Saint Barnabas Choir leads this service of beautiful scripture, choral anthems, and congregational hymns as we prepare for the mystery of the Christmas season.
This is a service of Christian worship traditionally celebrated on or near Christmas Eve. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus are told in nine short Bible readings or lessons from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns, and choir anthems.
History
Lessons & Carols services in the Anglican tradition began in 1878 and were formalized as a Christmas service in 1880 by the Bishop of Truro, later Archbishop of Canterbury, Edward Benson. An Advent version of the service – normally carried out as a procession with lessons and carols – developed slightly later at King’s College and is now celebrated around the world, normally as an evening service on the first or second Sunday in the season of Advent.
During the service, scriptural readings are interspersed with choral presentations and hymns.