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A festival of nine lessons and carols

A traditional celebration of Christmas with the annual Carol Service from 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 Choir of King鈥檚 College Cambridge, who also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.

Producer: Tim Allen

1 hour, 30 minutes

Last on

Christmas Day 2019 02:32GMT

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

Once in Royal David's City (Descant Sir Stephen Cleobury)

Bidding Prayer read by the Dean

Sussex Carol (arr. Vaughan Williams)

First lesson: Genesis 3: vv 8-15, 17-19 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

Angels from the realms of glory (arr. Reginald Jaques)

Ding dong! merrily on high (arr. Sir David Willcocks)

Third lesson: Isaiah 9: vv 2, 6-7 read by a representative of the Cambridge churches

It came upon the midnight clear (descant John Scott)

O little town of Bethlehem (Sir Henry Walford Davies)

Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11: 1-4a, 6-9 read by the Chaplain

There is no rose (Dame Elizabeth Maconchy)

The Lamb (Sir John Tavener)

Fifth lesson: Luke 1: vv 26-35, 38 read by a member of College staff

The Angel Gabriel (2019 commission - Philip Moore)

Joys Seven (arr. Sir Stephen Cleobury)

Sixth lesson: Luke 2: vv 1-7 read by a representative of the City of Cambridge

Silent night (arr. Sir Stephen Cleobury)

Candlelight Carol (John Rutter)

Seventh lesson: Luke 2: vv 8-17 read by the Director of Music

While shepherds watched their flocks by night

Away in a manger (arr. Sir Stephen Cleobury)

Eighth lesson: Matthew 2: vv 1-12 read by the Vice-Provost

Coventry Carol (Kenneth Leighton)

Sir Christ猫mas (William Mathias)

Ninth lesson: John 1: vv 1-14 read by the Provost

O come, all ye faithful (descant Sir David Willcocks)

Collect and Blessing

Hark! The herald angels sing (descant Sir Philip Ledger)

Organ voluntaries:

In dulci jubilo (BWV 729) (Bach)

Final from Symphonie VI (Louis Vierne)

Broadcasts

  • Christmas Eve 2019 15:00GMT
  • Christmas Eve 2019 22:32GMT
  • Christmas Day 2019 02:32GMT