Prelude at 0:00 ; service begins at 22:40

Modeled on the beloved carol service broadcast each Christmas Eve from King’s College, Cambridge, A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is our most popular choral service of the year. Ancient prophecies foretelling the coming of a Messiah and the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus are illumined by extra-biblical texts, anthems and Christmas carols that have inspired composers, choirs, and worshippers throughout the world and across time.

The officiant is the Very Rev. Sam Candler. Choral repertoire includes:

• “Once in royal David’s city” Irby
• Carson Cooman (b. 1982), Adam lay ybounden
• “Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding” Merton
• Eric Whitacre (b. 1970), Lux Aurumque
• arr. Craig Phillips (b. 1961), The holly and the ivy
• “Prepare the way, O Zion” Bereden väg för Herran
• John Joubert (1927-2019), There is no rose of such virtue
• Cecilia McDowall (b. 1951), Now may we singen
• arr. Paul Halley (b. 1952), Huron Carol
• Bob Chilcott (b. 1955), The Shepherd’s Carol
• “On this day earth shall ring” Personent hodie
• Charles Beaudrot (b. 1951), Toys for a King
• Herbert Howells (1892-1983), Here is the little door
• arr. Dale Adelmann, “Of the Father’s love begotten” Divinum mysterium
• arr. John Rutter (b. 1945), Wexford Carol, “Good people all, this Christmastime”
• arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015), “God rest you merry, gentlemen”