The city’s festival of Christmas music continues Sunday, Dec. 18 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus with A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. The service starts at 5 p.m. and features the church choir in carols and anthems that accompany nine Biblical readings.
The readings start with Old Testament prophesies of the coming of the Messiah and end with New Testament accounts of the birth of Jesus. Rector Anne Harris will welcome those attending. Organist Len Bobo will conduct the choir.
“St. Paul’s is delighted each year to offer this traditional English service to the community of Columbus,” said Harris. “Advent is a season of spiritual contemplation. To hear these prophetic scriptures and the joyful hymns of contemplation gives everyone a chance to consider spiritual life just before the great season of Christmas arrives.
“We invite everyone to come and hear the promises of God,” Harris continued. “We are happy for all to sing with us the proclamations of hope expressed in our Advent hymns and Christmas carols.”
St. Paul’s uses the version of the service begun in 1918 at King’s College of Cambridge University. The school repeats the service each year for a worldwide broadcast.
Among this year’s carols are “Once in Royal David’s City,” “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” and “Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth.”
“Our choir and congregation look forward to this annual community service and to the special music it includes,” Bobo said. “Advent and Christmas are happy, meaningful seasons for the Columbus musical community. These seasons provide for many musical traditions, and we are happy to continue this contribution to the city’s musical life.”
The church nursery will be open in the parish hall. Lessons and Carols lasts about an hour. St. Paul’s is located at 318 College St.
Other seasonal services at St. Paul’s include Christmas Eve services at 4:30 p.m. (with nursery) and 10:30 p.m. The church will celebrate a Christmas Day Holy Communion at 9 a.m.
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