A celebration of Christmas from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge. The story of Christmas is told through Bible readings and poems, while carols include Once in Royal David's City, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Sussex Carol and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.

(A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, the traditional Christmas Eve carol service from King's College, Cambridge, is broadcast today at 3pm on Radio 4 and tomorrow at 2pm on Radio 3)

Music: Carols from King's: 4.55pm BBC2
Warm the mince pies and pour yourself a glass of Christmas cheer, because, for many of us, this annual concert marks the real beginning of the festivities.
The Christmas story is told in music and prose, with Gospel readings and poems by Coleridge and Edwin Muir. And, of course, the world-famous choir of King's College, Cambridge, performs carols including Once in Royal David's City, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Good King Wenceslas.

The service, which is also broadcast live on Radio 4 at 3pm and repeated on Radio 3 tomorrow at 2pm, was first held on Christmas Eve in1918, but its roots lie in Truro, Cornwall, where it was started in order to keep men away from the pubs on Christmas Eve. (Jane Rackham)