The Timeless Tradition of Nine Lessons and Carols: A Journey Through Joy and Light

The Anglican tradition of Nine Lessons and Carols began in 1880 in Truro, England. In 1918, King’s College in Cambridge held its first Lessons and Carols service. The following year, the cathedral dean revised the service, adding the Bidding prayer and the soloist singing “Once in a Royal David’s City.” This has become the standard bearer for all others and inspired a joyful and triumphant evening at Chatham Hall. 

The profound simplicity of this service is its gift. While the number of lessons is often changed, what is unchanged is the pattern: a lesson is followed by the singing of a carol. In this unique way, the story of God’s light is unveiled, and we encounter the Christmas story together. Whether members of our community experienced this service for the first time or as a much anticipated favorite tradition, we all traveled together last night to a time long ago. And for each person present, the stories led us into our own journey of discovery. 

The first three lessons remind us that we do not always walk with God. We seek our own way; we try to be like God. We are in need of God’s care. The next five lessons are the narratives of Jesus’ birth, told by Luke and Matthew. Some of these stories may be familiar to you, and some may be new. These are stories of angels and dreams that invite your prophetic imagination.

The final reading is of John’s beautiful words that carry us away from mangers and inns, people and animals, to a holy and mystical presence among us. In this month where we focus on JOY, John’s gospel shines joy. Pure love brings a joy that, like light, shines in any darkness.

What makes this service so special? Perhaps it’s that the lessons are read by people who hold various roles in the Chatham Hall community. Perhaps it’s the simplicity of the structure that makes it so powerful. The format is both timeless and evocative: a lesson from scripture is followed by a carol that reflects on that reading. This repetition creates a rhythm that mirrors the unfolding story of God’s love and purpose toward us—culminating in the birth of Jesus.

First Lesson: Broken Covenant | Genesis: 2:4b-9; 3:8-11, 21-24 (Jayla Burke ’28 - President of the Freshman Class)

Carol: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Hymn #56 (v1, 5)

Second Lesson: New Covenant | Isaiah 40:1-11 (Anne Rachel Sheppard ‘27 - President of the Sophomore Class)

Carol: “Go Tell It On The Mountain” Hymn #99 (refrain, v3, refrain)

Third Lesson: A New Ruler | Micah 5:2-4 (Alice Wang ‘26 - President of the Junior Class)

Carol: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Hymn # 79 (v1, 3, 5)

Fourth Lesson: The Birth of John the Baptist | Luke:1:5-20, 24-25 (Mary Blair Tankard ‘25 - President of the Senior Class)

Carol: “Angels We Have Heard on High” Hymn #96 (v1, 2)

Fifth Lesson: Angel Visits Mary | Luke 1:26-38 (Priscella Bennsion ‘25 - President of the Honor Council)

Carol: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” Hymn #87 (v1 - 3)

Sixth Lesson: Joseph’s Dream |  Matthew 1:18-24 (Mrs. Molly Thomas - Senior Faculty Member)

Choral: Anthem “Christmas Canon” (St. Mary’s Choir)

Seventh Lesson: Mary Visits Elizabeth | Luke 1:39-56 (Kristin Reese '08)

Carol: “In the Bleak Midwinter” Hymn #112 (v1, 2, 4)

Eighth Lesson: Birth of Jesus | Luke 2:1; 3-7 (Michele Motley Wilson '86)

Carol: “Away in the Manger” Hymn #101, (v1 - 3)

Ninth Lesson: The Beginning | John 1:1-18 (Rector Sara Stephenson)

Carol: “Joy to the World” Hymn #100 (v1 - 4)