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Content about Christmas season -- Lessons

September 1, 2009
Telling God's Story

This children’s Christmas program, which incorporates questions and answers from the Heidelberg Catechism, follows the well-known structure of “sin, salvation, and service.” It is a celebration of God’s love for us and our response in faith.

September 3, 2003
Longing for Home

Why do we make such a fuss about being home for Christmas? Those who have been blessed with happy childhoods may enjoy going home even after becoming adults. We like to be at home with the people we love; sometimes we even long for it.

September 1, 1994
To Us A Child Is Born: A service of Scripture, song and symbol

The traditional service of nine lessons and carols traces the story of our salvation from the disobedience of Adam and Eve to the birth of Christ. In this service, following each carol, a symbol is brought forward. (You'll find the symbols in boldfaced type in the leader's readings.) Each of these symbols recall the lesson just read and also point to our redemption in Christ.

September 1, 1991
Singing Salvation's Story: Choral suggestions for a service of lessons and carols

Listed on these pages are carols and hymns suitable for each of the nine Scripture lessons of the traditional English evening service. Begun by Dean Eric Milner-White in 1918 at King's College Chapel in Cambridge, England, the service of lessons and carols takes place in that chapel at Vespers on Christmas Eve to this day.

The lessons trace salvation history from Genesis through the gospels. After each lesson a carol or hymn is sung, either by the congregation or by a choir. Sometimes two carols are sung after one lesson.

September 1, 1990
Festival of Lessons and Carols
A celebration of the Christmas story

 

The People of God Gather

Prelude: "In Dulci Jubilo"
Koch

Opening Hymn: "Hark, the Glad Sound!"
(PsH 335, RL 251, TH162)

Greeting

To Prepare for the Lord's Coming

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7

Lighting of the Advent Candle

New Testament Reading: 2 Peter 3:10-13

September 1, 1986
Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmastide

Every year more North American congregations are discovering the beauty of a traditional English service called, very simply, "Nine Lessons and Carols." The structure of the service is as simple as the title: nine passages of Scripture are followed by nine carols. But the content of those readings and the traditional way of conducting the service have become very meaningful to many congregations.