The Tribune

FOLLOWING a tradition that is more than 100 years old, the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols led by the Highgrove Singers at Christ Church Cathedral was held this past Sunday.

The festive event attracted a large audience, including Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

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 format was based on an order drawn up by Edward Benson, later Archbishop of Canterbury but at that time Bishop of Truro, in Cornwall, for use on Christmas Eve in 1880.

Leading the singing of carols and anthems for the service were the Highgrove Singers, under the direction of Adrian A W Archer.

Joining the choir for this year’s presentation was the Hand Bell Ensemble of the Golden Gates World Ministries under the direction of Navarro Gibson.

Father Colin Humes, the cathedral’s priest vicar, led the Bidding Prayer, while Aaron Humes, head chorister of the cathedral’s children’s choir, read the First Lesson. The Third Lesson was read by Andrew Knowles, director of communications of Renew Bahamas.