Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Religion & Spirituality

The only chance during Advent to hear the full biblical story of the prophecy and birth of Christ interspersed with carols and anthems.

Our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 5:30pm on Sunday 19th December is a wonderful event telling the whole story of Christmas and follows the format famously devised by Eric Milner-White for King’s College, Cambridge in 1918.

The congregation takes a full part in the service by singing Christmas hymns ranging from Once In Royal David’s City to O Come, All Ye Faithful and we also have the opportunity to hear a number of contrasting pieces from wide repertoire of Advent and Christmas music which St Bride’s Choir sings.

The service is open to all and free to attend. We request that you please register to reserve your place. This helps us manage numbers and enables us to keep you updated about the service.

The service includes two pieces for unaccompanied voices by up-and-coming composer Gareth Treseder (who is also one of the choir’s tenor deputy singers) – Blessed be that maid Marie and Le sommeil de l’enfant Jesus.

A pre-recorded version of Nine Lessons and Carols will air online at the service time on our website and on our YouTube channel. All registering will also receive a direct link to the online service.

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This event is free, but we hope you might consider making a donation towards the upkeep of our historic Wren church and to support our work, music-making and ministry. You can do so at JustGiving. Alternatively, in the UK, text 5STBRIDES or 10STBRIDES or 20STBRIDES to 70470 to donate £5, £10 or £20.

St Bride's has earned Visit England's 'We’re Good To Go’ kite mark so visitors can rest assured their visit will be Covid safe.

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Here's a little musical taster of St Bride's Choir as they sing composer Michael Head's most enduring work, The Little Road to Bethlehem. A beautiful setting of a touching poem by Margaret Rose.