'"Nine Lessons and Carols"
Origins and history
This is a Christmas Eve church service that tells the story of the Nativity
through a series of nine Bible readings combined with carols and hymns. It was
originally devised in 1880 and popularised by the service at King's College,
Cambridge, in 1918.
Structure and content
Readings: Nine scriptural readings are used to tell the biblical story/narrative of
the Fall of human kind, the promise of a Messiah, and the Incarnation of Jesus
in His first Advent.
Carols and hymns: Between each reading, a carol or hymn is sung.
Prayers: A brief prayer is offered after each lesson, reflecting on the lesson's
message.
Bidding Prayer: The service often begins with a special prayer, known as the
Bidding Prayer.
This service is considered the 'official' start of the Christmas festival/season for
the Anglican Church. And many Anglican schools also hold their own versions
of the service for their students.