Monday, December 6, 2010

St. Bernard to present The Festival of Nine Carols and Lessons

St. Bernard Prep School will present the Festival of Nine Carols and Lessons on December 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Abbey Church. The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols though Protestant in origin, is akin to the ancient office (service) of Matins. A central part of Matins is a number of lessons or readings from Holy Scripture and the Fathers of the Church, each followed by a response to the reading, and all surrounded by psalms and other scriptural songs.

Dr. Rebecca Whited, SBP Director of Choral Music said, “It is an act of worship rather than a concert, dating back to 1918 when it was first held on Christmas Eve in the Chapel of King’s College at Cambridge University in England.” Since that time the tradition has been adapted in many churches throughout the world. While the music changes, the lessons remain the same.

The main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God …’ seen ‘through the windows and words of the Bible. A representative from each class and leaders of the St. Bernard community will present the lessons, while Dr. Whited and the choral music department provide the music and accompaniment.

The public is invited to attend.

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