A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will be presented by our Church on Sunday, December 13 at 5 p.m. in our historic Meeting House. The candlelight service tells the story of Jesus’ birth and offers a time of tranquility and reflection.
The original service order was created by E. W. Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury, for use in the wooden shed that served as his cathedral at Truro on Christmas Eve, 1880. Soon after, other churches adapted the service for their own use. In the adaptation that has endured as a modern Christmas tradition, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held at King’s College in Cambridge, England on Christmas Eve in 1918. This service, first broadcast by radio in 1928, reaches millions of listeners worldwide.
In New Canaan, the soloist for “Once in Royal David’s City,” the traditional opening hymn, will be fourth-grader Anne Nichols. Lessons and Carols includes Scripture readings by church members of all ages, familiar carols sung by the choir and congregation, and anthems sung by the church’s adult Chancel Choir and youth Joyful Noise choir.
Director of Music Ministries, Dr. Jo Deen Blaine Davis, comments, “For many people, this beautiful service is a musical highlight of their holiday season.” The community is warmly invited to attend this free event. Childcare is provided. For more information, please call (203)966-2651 ext. 4.