Lessons and Carols

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a treasure of Anglican worship. Edward White Benson (then Bishop of Truro and later to become Archbishop of Canterbury) developed the service and held it for the first time on Christmas Eve in 1880. It was quickly adopted by other churches. Now held around the world (often adapted for local contexts), the service weaves scripture lessons with music to tell of God’s redemptive love. Through readings and song, we follow the story of salvation from hope-filled prophecy to gracious fulfillment in the birth of our Savior.