Lessons and Carols

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service that tells the  story beginning with Adam’s expulsion from the garden, to the promise  of a Messiah, culminating in the birth of Jesus, and ending with the  revelation of the mystery of the Incarnation. This story is told through  the reading of passages from the Bible interspersed with the singing of  carols.

The first Festival of  Nine Lessons and Carols was held in 1878 at Truro Cathedral in England  on Christmas Eve. The service today is typically associated with King’s  College, Cambridge which held  the first service  in 1918. The service has been held at King’s College, Cambridge every  year on Christmas Eve since then. Today, many cathedrals in England and  the United States hold the Festival during the Christmas season.  The  first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was held at St. Stephen's  Episcopal Church in 2016.

Many of the carols will be sung by professional singers; however,  the audience will be invited to lift their voice and sing along with  certain carols.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church is grateful to have the opportunity  to present this gift of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols to our  community.