The popularity of the “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” was established in England on Christmas Eve, 1918, in the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England, where the dean of the college sought to soften attitudes about religion following “The Great War.” Having served on the frontlines, he knew personally the devastating effects of battle on one’s faith.
The nine lessons, although not exactly the same each year, narrate to Christians throughout the world the story of our salvation – from the fall of humanity to the birth of Christ. The lessons are interspersed with carols, which were introduced in 129 AD when a Roman Bishop declared a song called “Angels Hymn” should be sung at the Christmas service. This slowly developed and by the 1200s carols were common in the various Christian churches of Europe. For the non-reading folk of the Middle Ages, the carols were an easy way to understand the Christmas story, similar to the visual stories of the great stained glass windows.
Join with the musicians and choir of Triumphant Love in this special tradition as we worship with the familiar readings and carols of Advent and Christmastide and are invited once again to “Be the Manger” this Advent. As we are emptied of all that separates us from God, may the Word and our carols fill the manger of our hearts to welcome Christ once again!