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A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

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A traditional Christimas Eve service of readings and carols from King's College, Cambridge

The traditional service of readings and carols from King's College Cambridge that, for many people around the world, signals the beginning of Christmas.

Held in the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, this service marks for many people around the world the beginning of Christmas. 

It is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. 

They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world famous Chapel Choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

24/12/2016 GMT

BBC World Service - A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

A celebration of Christmas with traditional hymns sung by King's College chapel choir

A celebration of Christmas with traditional hymns sung by King's College chapel choir, Cambridge

For many around the world, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, from the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, marks the beginning of Christmas. It is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world-famous chapel choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.

A live broadcast from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge

Hymn: Once in Royal David's City (desc. Cleobury)
Bidding Prayer read by the Dean
A Babe is born (Mathias)
First lesson: Genesis 3 vv 8-19 read by a Chorister
Jesus Christ the apple tree (Poston)
Adam lay ybounden (Gaynor Howard)
Second lesson: Genesis 22 vv 15-18 read by a Choral Scholar
Riu, riu chiu (Flecha the Elder)
In dulci jubilo (H. Praetorius)
Third lesson: Isaiah 9 vv 2, 6-7 read by a representative of the Cambridge Churches
Sussex Carol (arr. Brian Kelly)
Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem (arr. Vaughan Williams)
Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11 vv 1-3a, 4a, 6-9 read by a representative of the City of Cambridge
The Lamb (Tavener) 
A spotless rose (Howells)
Fifth lesson: Luke 1 vv 26-38 read by a representative of our sister college at Eton
I sing of a maiden (Lennox Berkeley)
Joys Seven (arr. Cleobury)
Sixth lesson: Luke 2 vv 1 -7 read by the Chaplain
Quelle est cette odeur? (arr. Willcocks)
This ender night (Michael Berkeley - Commission (world premiere))
Seventh lesson: Luke 2 vv 8-16 read by the Director of Music
In the bleak midwinter (Darke)
Hymn: While shepherds watched (desc. Cleobury)
Eighth lesson: Matthew 2 vv 1-12 read by the Vice-Provost
Bethlehem Down (Warlock)
Ding, dong merrily (Wood arr. Wilberg and Stevens)
Ninth lesson: John 1 vv 1-14 read by the Provost
Hymn: O come, all ye faithful (arr. Willcocks)
Collect and Blessing
Hymn: Hark, the Herald Angels sing (desc. Ledger)

Organ voluntaries:
In dulci jubilo (BWV 729) (Bach)

Director of Music: Stephen Cleobury
Organ Scholar: Richard Gowers 

Picture: The Chapel of King's College Cambridge

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A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

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