The tradition of Nine Lessons and Carols
On either 20th December or on Christmas Eve, Christians and many non-Christians gather in churches around the diocese for a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus will be told in nine short Bible readings, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols and hymns.
Often the service is held by candlelight and is steeped with both meaning and atmosphere. But where does this tradition come from?
The format was based on an Order drawn up by Edward White Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury, for Christmas Eve (24 December) 1880 in Truro, Cornwall. It has since been adapted and used by other churches all over the world. In the UK, the service has become the standard format for schools' Christmas carol services.The best-known version is broadcast annually from King's College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve. It features carols by the famous Choir of King's College, Cambridge. This year A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on 24 December at 3pm. It will also be broadcast at various times on the BBC World Service.
The King's College Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, who at the age of thirty-four had just been appointed Dean of King's, after experience as an army chaplain which had convinced him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. A revision of the Order of Service was made in 1919, involving rearrangement of the lessons, and from that date the service has always begun with the hymn 'Once in Royal David's City'.
These days the first verse is sung unaccompanied by a solo boy chorister. To avoid putting him under undue stress, the chorister is not told that he will be singing the solo until just before the service is to begin.
Christmas services in Down Cathedral
24 December - Service of Holy Communion at 10.00am in Down Cathedral
24 December - The Carols by Candlelight Service will take place at 7.30pm
24 December - Midnight Communion - in Down Cathedral beginning at 11.30pm
25 December - Christmas Day - Service of Holy Communion at 11.00am