The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918 at Kings College in Cambridge, England. It was planned by Eric Milner-White, was Dean of King's College, after experience as an army chaplain, which had convinced him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship.
It is based on nine readings from the Bible which tell the story of the fall of man, the promise of the a Messiah, and the birth of Jesus. Each reading is followed by a carol or anthem related to the preceding reading.
At St. Paul's, we follow the Kings College tradition of starting the service with a procession of the choir and clergy to the hymn, "Once in Royal David's City," and having a child read the first lesson.
Our adult choir is accompanied during Lessons and Carols by organ and brass. The service includes congregational singing and anthems by the choir. Our children's choir, part of the Royal School of Church Music, also presents musical selections during the service.
The service will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at 4 p.m. in the St. Paul's Nave. Afterward, we celebrate with a reception open to all who attend the service. Child care is provided during the service.