This Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is sung by the Cathedral Schola. The officiant is the Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener.
Modeled on the beloved carol service broadcast each Christmas Eve from King’s College, Cambridge, this 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.
Choral repertoire includes:
- “Once in royal David’s city” Irby
- Frank Boles, Adam lay ybounden
- Eric Whitacre, Lux Arumque
- arr. John Rutter, Sans Day Carol
- “Prepare the way, O Zion” Bereden väg för Herran
- Robert Parsons, Ave Maria
- “On this day earth shall ring” Personent hodie
- Richard Runciman Terry, Myn lyking
- Francis Pott, Balulalow
- arr. Stephen Jackson, Noël nouvelet
- arr. David Willcocks, “God rest you merry, gentlemen”
- arr. Simon Preston, I saw three ships come sailing in
- arr. Dale Adelmann, “Of the Father’s love begotten” Divinum mysterium
- John Tavener, God is with us
- “O come, all ye faithful” Adeste fideles