This is a service of scripture readings and carol singing. The lessons are drawn from the Old Testament with one or two readings from the New Testament. They reinforce the message that the Messiah is coming. The music, as well as the lessons, should reflect Advent and a note of expectation rather than Christmas and a spirit of fulfillment.
In 1880, the Bishop of Truro, E.W. Benson (later Archbishop of Canterbury) prepared an Order of Worship for lessons and carols to be used on Christmas Eve. The ‘cathedral’ was a wooden shed. The purpose was quite humble—to keep the men out of the pubs on Christmas Eve! This service contained ‘nine tiny lessons and nine carols’; lessons were read by various officers in the church, starting with the chorister and ending with the Bishop.
In 1918 the Dean of King’s College Cambridge developed a service for Christmas Eve based somewhat on the 1880 Order of Service. Modified slightly the next year, the form has remained basically the same since. The carols change some from year to year. It always begins with a solo choir boy on the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City and always ends with Hark the Herald Angels Sing as the recessional. This service has been broadcast at 3:00 p.m. December 24 since 1927 or 1928 with 1930 being the only year not broadcast. NPR broadcasts it in the USA—if live, it would be 8:00 a.m. December 24 here in Idaho.
In 1934, the same Dean composed another service “A Procession With Carols Upon Advent Sunday” (1st Sunday of Advent). He wrote “In the old English liturgies, the Advent Offices made a preparation for the coming of our Lord to this earth far more vivid and eager than those of our present Prayer book…The purpose of the Service was ‘not to celebrate Christmas, but to expect it’ ”.
Epworth will be celebrating lessons and carols on Sunday, December 13th, at 6 pm, live stream only. All are welcome to join us for this distinctive worship service.
