Lessons and Carols

As you may know, I love a good Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols.  (Here you may find a good summary of the origins of this format at Truro.)  And when a chosen solo chorister bravely commences the glorious Nine Lessons and Carols in the Chapel of King’s College Cambridge, Christmas for me begins.

And, of course, I will be listening tomorrow morning when allergies will no doubt make me teary-eyed.

However, there is a contrary opinion about such services:

By and large, however, loyal churchmen agree that it is better not to attend services of Nine Lessons and Carols, even if your favourite nephew is singing in the choir. However beautiful the music, nine carols is far too many for a single evening, and the meretricious extravagance of Lessons and Carols cannot compare to the simple beauty of a Christmastide service of Said Matins and Commination.

Whether you celebrate the Nativity of our Lord with Nine Lessons or with a heartfelt Commination, may you have a Happy Christmas.