Nine Lessons and Carols

Nine Lessons and Carols is a traditional Christmas service that originated at Trinity College, Cambridge and has since been adopted by churches around the world, including St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster Abbey, and York Minster. The service typically features nine readings from the Bible, including passages from Genesis, Isaiah, St Luke's Gospel, and St John's Gospel, as well as traditional Christmas carols such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night. The service has been popularized by King's College, Cambridge, where it has been held annually since 1918, and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3.

History

The tradition of Nine Lessons and Carols was first introduced by Eric Milner-White, the Dean of King's College, Cambridge, in 1918, and was influenced by the Tractarian Movement and the Oxford Movement. The service was designed to be a more informal and accessible alternative to traditional Christmas services, and featured readings from the Bible and traditional Christmas carols, including Once in Royal David's City and O Come, All Ye Faithful. The service was initially held on Christmas Eve at King's College Chapel, Cambridge, and has since been adopted by churches around the world, including Canterbury Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, and Edinburgh Cathedral. The service has also been influenced by the Cambridge University Musical Society and the Royal College of Music.

Structure

The traditional structure of Nine Lessons and Carols features nine readings from the Bible, which tell the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus Christ. The readings are typically taken from Genesis, Isaiah, St Luke's Gospel, and St John's Gospel, and are interspersed with traditional Christmas carols, including The First Noel and Joy to the World. The service typically begins with a procession, led by the Dean of King's College, Cambridge or another senior clergy member, and features a variety of traditional Christmas hymns, including O Little Town of Bethlehem and While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks. The service has been attended by notable figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Rowan Williams.

Music

The music featured in Nine Lessons and Carols is a key part of the service, and typically includes traditional Christmas carols, such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Silent Night, as well as more modern compositions, such as In the Bleak Midwinter and I Saw Three Ships. The service has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3, and has featured performances by notable choirs, including the King's College Choir, Cambridge, the Choir of Westminster Abbey, and the Choir of St Paul's Cathedral. The service has also featured performances by notable musicians, including Simon Preston, Stephen Cleobury, and John Rutter. The music has been influenced by the English Hymnal and the New English Hymnal.

Broadcasts

The service has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3 since 1928, and has become a popular Christmas tradition in the United Kingdom. The broadcast typically features a live performance of the service from King's College Chapel, Cambridge, and includes readings from the Bible and traditional Christmas carols, such as Once in Royal David's City and O Come, All Ye Faithful. The broadcast has been presented by notable figures, including Franklin Engelmann, Brian Kay, and Aled Jones, and has featured performances by notable choirs, including the King's College Choir, Cambridge and the Choir of Westminster Abbey. The broadcast has also been transmitted on BBC Television and BBC iPlayer.

Variations

There are many variations of Nine Lessons and Carols, which have been developed by churches and cathedrals around the world, including St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster Abbey, and York Minster. Some services feature additional readings or carols, while others include more modern compositions or arrangements, such as The Snowman and The Lamb. The service has also been adapted for use in different cultural contexts, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, and has been influenced by the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Australia. The service has been attended by notable figures such as Barack Obama, Justin Trudeau, and Malcolm Turnbull. Category:Christmas carols