The Tribune

THE BIRTH of Jesus will be celebrated during the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols to be held this Sunday.
Final preparations are underway for the traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas to be held on December 22 at the Christ Church Cathedral.

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a service of Christian Worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas. 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.

The service will be led by Rev Patrick Adderley, and F Colin Humes. Leading the music will be The Highgrove Singers, under the direction of Adrian Archer.

“It is always our delight to collaborate with the Cathedral to bring this beautiful service of the celebration of Christmas to the public,” said Archer. “Our choral repertoire for this occasion will include works by David Danner, Benjamin Britten, Craig Courtney, Elanor Daley and many others. A special appearance will be made by Joann Deveuax-Callender in Steve Pilkington’s “I Wonder As I Wander” and the choir will be accompanied Dr Sparkman Ferguson, principal organist of the Cathedral Raymond An ontio, Yvonne Foulkes and Lee Callender.”
Mr Archer said a new and interesting aspect of the carol service will be the introduction of handbells to the musical offering.

“This year we are more than pleased to welcome the Handbell Ensemble of the Golden Gates Worldwide Ministries to the carol service. Under the direction of Navarro Gibson, the ensemble will offer four selections as a prelude to the service and will also play along with some of the carols and choir anthems.”

Leading the list of readers will be His Excellency the Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes, along with Madame Justice Anita Allen and Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.

While an offering will be taken at the conclusion of the service, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is free to the public.