Next Sunday, 6 December 2015, 7pm, we will be celebrate the 2nd Sunday in Advent with the Festival of the 9 Lessons and Carols. Please note: this will be an evening service and there is no morning service on this day. Light refreshments will be available after service.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a format for a service of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir music.
- First Lesson: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-19
- Second Lesson: Genesis 22:6-18
- Third Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7
- Fourth Lesson: Isaiah 11:1-9
- Fifth Lesson: Luke 1:26-38
- Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:1-7
- Seventh Lesson: Luke 2:8-20
- Eighth Lesson: Matthew 2:1-12
- Ninth Lesson: John 1:1-14
The best-known version is broadcast annually from King’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve. It features carols sung by the famous Choir of King’s College, Cambridge:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moLylNume9s]
The death and resurrection of Christ is intricately connected to the birth of the promised Messiah. It is because we know the outcome of Jesus’ life and ministry that we are able to understand the significance of his birth; therefore, we observe, remember, and celebrate the birth of Christ through the lens of the cross. As Christians we acknowledge that the birth of the promised Messiah and redemption of God’s people through death and resurrection is not the first of God’s salvific work, but a continuation of God’s promise. Scripture invites us into the history of God’s redeeming work then, now, and always.
As we ‘Prepare the Way of the Lord” this Advent, we do so by remembering the old, old story of God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and promise. Together we join the whole hosts of heaven and the company of the saints proclaiming what God has done through history, is doing through the promised Messiah, and will continue to do in the final days.
This is an open event – please feel free to invite your loved ones, family, friends and neighbors.
