I apologize for the very short notice on this one, but if you are interested in listening to the live online broadcast of the Choir of King's College Chapel at Cambridge singing the Christmas Eve Nine Lessons and Carols, it will begin in a few hours on BBC Radio 4 at 15.00 GMT and 10:00 am EST.
I know that a few public radio stations in the United States will be providing a live simulcast as well.
Regardless of your theological persuasion (if you have one), it is sure to be quite beautiful.
Here are the details:
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Live from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge.
This service, which for many people all over the world marks the beginning of Christmas, is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God.
The Choir sings carols old and new and leads the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns.
Director of Music: Stephen Cleobury
Organ Scholar: Peter Stevens
Order of service
Once in royal David's city *
Bidding Prayer read by the Dean
Glory to the Christ Child (Alan Bullard)
First lesson: Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19, read by a Chorister
This is the truth (Herefordshire carol arr. Vaughan Williams)
Adam lay ybounden (Boris Ord)
Second lesson: Genesis 22:15-18, read by a Choral Scholar
Šai svētā naktī (Latvian carol arr. Cleobury)
In dulci jubilo (arr. de Pearsall)
Third lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7, read by a representative of the Cambridge churches
Now comes the Dawn (Brett Dean - first performance, commissioned by King's College)
O little town of Bethlehem (arr. Vaughan Williams and Armstrong)
Fourth lesson: Isaiah 11:1-3a, 4a, 6-9, read by a representative of the city of Cambridge
Det är en ros utsprungen (arr. Sandström)
A spotless rose (Philip Ledger)
Fifth lesson: Luke 1:26-35, 38, read by a representative of Eton College
Gabriel's Message (arr. Pettman)
Bogoróditse Dyévo (Pärt)
Sixth lesson: Luke 2:1, 3-7, read by the Chaplain
I sing the birth (Elgar)
A babe is born (Mathias)
Seventh lesson: Luke 2:8-16, read by the Director of Music
Dormi, Jesu! (Rutter)
While shepherds watched *
Eighth lesson: Matthew 2:1-12, read by a Fellow
The Three Kings (Cornelius arr. Atkins)
Ding dong merrily on high (arr. Wilberg)
Ninth lesson: John 1:1-14, read by the Provost
O come, all ye faithful *
Collect and Blessing
Hark! the herald angels sing *
Organ voluntaries: In Dulci Jubilo BWV 729 (Bach)
[Sortie on In Dulci Jubilo (David Briggs first performance) - broadcast on Radio 3 only]
* descant Stephen Cleobury
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