The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

by William P. Edwards (Editor)

First aired in 1918, it is broadcast annually by BBC Radio direct from King's College Chapel in Cambridge and carried in the United States by NPR. Many have organized their holiday festivities to be part of the audience for this very special performance.
With beautiful illustrations of details from illuminated manuscripts, photographs, and paintings appropriate to the season, this elegant volume is a wonderful companion to this unique Christmas celebration. It is packaged with a CD of a slightly abridged version of a service that includes a dozen carols, including "Once in Royal David's City," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Good King Wenceslas," "Silent Night, Holy Night," and "In Dulci Jubilo," all sung by the internationally renowned boy's and men's choir of King's College.
In addition to following the complete festival in sequence, the book contains a history of the service and of King's College's choir, what the service means today, and the origins and history of the hymns and carols. A keepsake that families will cherish, the book is a romantic and religious departure from the modern world, a glorious affirmation that Christmas has arrived.

Genres: Christian

80 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2004

Reviews

[Mark Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first listened to the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve 2019...and loved it.
This book explains how the festival started and gained popularity.
This is a quick read, and recommended for those who enjoy this program. It would be a trip to go to King's College in England to experience this live...but if a local church would to be brave to perform this live...that would be great too.

[Jim B · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you, like many of us, are a devotee of the broadcast of the Lessons and Carols from Kings Chapel in Cambridge, this book is a keepsake to page through as you look forward to each broadcast. All the background and explanation you crave (including history of Kings Chapel, the service of Lessons and Carols and many popular carols) - and Christmas art to contemplate.

[Mark Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I refer to this often, particularly when wanting to know a little history of certain carols or the lyrics.

It is well illustrated, a pleasant book to browse. Those who love the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College Cambridge as I do will enjoy it.

If purchasing, be sure whether it has the CD or not.