For many people around the world, the Festival which is broadcast live from the chapel of King's College in 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 distinguished Chapel Choir who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.
A new work has been commissioned for the Christmas Eve service every year since 1983; a tradition begun by Sir Stephen Cleobury. For 2021, Cecilia McDowall has chosen to set the text of the famous fifteenth-century carol ‘There is no rose of such virtue’ in order to provide a moment of quiet contemplation and stillness in the service.
A number of pieces by significant twentieth-century composers such as Sally Beamish and Imogen Holst, sit alongside traditional carols in arrangements by Sir David Willcocks, Christopher Robinson, June Nixon, John Rutter, Simon Preston, and Daniel Hyde.

Programme for 2021:
Once in royal David's City (Irby, arr. Willcocks)
Bidding Prayer (read by the Dean)
In dulci jubilo (Old German melody, arr. Pearsall, Daniel Hyde)
First lesson: Genesis 3 vv. 8-19 (read by a Chorister)
The truth from above (Ralph Vaughan Williams, arr. Christopher Robinson)
Second lesson: Genesis 22 vv. 15-19 (read by a Choral Scholar)
The Holly and the Ivy (Trad. French, arr. June Nixon)
Third lesson: Isaiah 9 vv. 2, 6-7 (read by a representative of Eton)
Sussex Carol (Trad. English, arr. Willcocks)
O Little town of Bethlehem (Forest Green)
Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11 vv. 1-9 (read by a Fellow)
In the stillness (Sally Beamish)
Gabriel’s message (Basque Carol, arr. Willcocks)
Fifth lesson: Luke 1 vv. 26-38 (read by a member of College staff)
Make ye merry for him that is come (Imogen Holst)
There is no rose (Cecilia McDowall) – 2021 Commission
Sixth lesson: Luke 2 vv. 1-7 (read by a representative of the City of Cambridge)
Angels from the realms of glory (Old French Tune, arr. Jacques)
Wexford Carol (Trad. Irish, arr. John Rutter)
Seventh lesson: Luke 2 vv. 8-20 (read by the Director of Music)
Silent night (Grüber, arr. John Rutter)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night (Este’s Psalter, arr. Nicholas Marston)
Eighth lesson: Matthew 2 vv. 1-12 (read by the Vice-Provost)
Thou who wast rich (Old French carol, arr. Kitson, Daniel Hyde)
I saw three ships (Trad. English, arr. Simon Preston)
Ninth lesson: John 1 vv. 1-14 (read by the Provost)
O come, all ye faithful (Adeste Fideles, arr. Willcocks, Christopher Robinson, David Hill)
Collect and Blessing
Hark! the herald angels sing (Mendelssohn, arr. Willcocks)

Organ voluntaries:
In dulci jubilo, BWV 729 (Bach)
Carillon-Sortie (Mulet)

Daniel Hyde (Director of Music)
Paul Greally (Organ Scholar)
The Revd Dr Stephen Cherry (Dean)

(Photo: King's College Choir rehearse 'A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols' in 2010. Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images) Show less