ADVENT TIP OF THE DAY 7: Lessons and Carols
I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day
QUESTION: What is the history of the lessons and carols service?
ANSWER: from Logos/Verbum smart search synopsis:
The Lessons and Carols service is a traditional Christmas Eve celebration that originated in England in the late 19th century. It was initially developed by Bishop E. W. Benson for Truro Cathedral and later adapted by E. Milner-White in 1918 for King's College, Cambridge. The service typically consists of nine lessons interspersed with Christmas carols, though it can also be adapted for Advent with appropriate hymns. This format has gained popularity in North America, partly due to the regular broadcasting of the King's College service and the general love for Christmas music. The service often includes a mix of anthems and hymns, with some sources providing specific musical recommendations. The Book of Occasional Services offers two variations: an Advent Festival of Lessons and Music and a Christmas Festival of Lessons and Music.1
ANSWER: from Perplexity:
The tradition of Lessons and Carols services can be traced back to the late 19th century, although its roots go deeper into the history of Christian worship.
Key Milestones:
1880: Bishop Edward White Benson, then Bishop of Truro, introduced a "Festal Service for Christmas Eve" that included alternating Bible readings and carols. This early form laid the foundation for the structure of the modern Lessons and Carols service.
1918: Reverend Eric Milner-White, Dean of King's College, Cambridge, popularized the service. He adapted Benson's format, introducing a unique bidding prayer and a focus on the themes of peace, hope, and redemption. This adaptation became the basis for the widely recognized King's College service.
Early 20th Century: The service gained popularity throughout the Anglican Communion and beyond, with many churches adopting the format.
Key Elements of a Lessons and Carols Service:
Biblical Readings: The service typically includes nine readings from the Bible, tracing the story of salvation from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Carols: Traditional Christmas carols are sung between the readings, often accompanied by choir or organ.
Bidding Prayer: A unique prayer that sets the tone for the service, often invoking themes of peace, hope, and remembrance.
The King's College, Cambridge, service has become particularly famous for its beautiful choral music and its broadcast on BBC Radio 4. It has influenced the format of many other Lessons and Carols services around the world.
This tradition continues to be a beloved part of Christmas celebrations, offering a contemplative and inspiring way to reflect on the meaning of the season.
QUESTION: What are some related Logos/Verbum resources?
ANSWER: Examples:
Hickman, Hoyt L. The New Handbook of the Christian Year: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2010.
Mitchell, Leonel L. Pastoral and Occasional Liturgies: A Ceremonial Guide. Cowley Publications, 1998.
Whitley, Katerina Katsarka. Light to the Darkness: Lessons and Carols: Public and Private. New York; Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 2008.
Wikipedia. Nine Lessons and Carols. Hickman, Hoyt L. The New Handbook of the Christian Year: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2010.
Note: The concepts of lessons and carols services has been extended from Advent to Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter.
QUESTION: How do lessons and carols services present salvation history?
ANSWER: Similar to the Easter Vigil readings, the lessons of this service present the promise of a Messiah, Jewish history and prophecies, and fulfillment of those prophecies. At typical set of readings from King’s College where they are read in the KJV of 1611:
- First lesson from Genesis 3: 8–15, 17–19
- Second lesson from Genesis 22: 15–18
- Third lesson from Isaiah 9: 2, 6–7
- Fourth lesson from Isaiah 11: 1–4a, 6–9
- Fifth lesson from Luke 1: 26–35, 38
- Sixth lesson from Luke 2: 1–7
- Seventh lesson from Luke 2: 8–16
- Eighth lesson from Matthew 2: 1–12
- Ninth lesson from the Gospel of John 1: 1–14
QUESTION: What is a bidding prayer? What bidding prayer is associated with the lessons and carols services?
SOFTWARE: from a Logos/Verbum smart search synopsis:
A bidding prayer is a form of prayer where a leader invites people to pray for specific requests. It has historical roots dating back to the Apostolic Constitutions around 380 CE. In some traditions, it was a prayer said before sermons for the souls of benefactors. The term "bidding" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "biddan," meaning to pray. This prayer format can involve periods of silence or audible prayers following the leader's invitations. Historically, it had a special association with Good Friday in some practices. In certain contexts, such as cathedrals and university churches, a remnant of this practice may still be observed in the prayers used.2
Example text:
Bidding Prayer
Let us now prepare our hearts to hear again the message of the angels; to go in heart and mind to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass; and with the shepherds and the wise men to worship the Child born in a manger.
Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of God’s loving purpose from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious redemption brought us by this Holy Child.
And let us make this place glad with our carols of praise.
But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which Christ died, and especially for His Church in our own land.
Let us pray for all who suffer, for the lonely, the sick, the poor, and the oppressed.
Let us pray for ourselves, that we may have grace to live in the light of Christ’s birth and to follow Him in faith and obedience.
Silence for private prayer
Let us pray together: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Our Father, who art in heaven...
1 Edward Foley et al., Worship Music : A Concise Dictionary (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000), 178–179. and Leonel L. Mitchell, Pastoral and Occasional Liturgies: A Ceremonial Guide (Cowley Publications, 1998). and Katerina Katsarka Whitley, Light to the Darkness: Lessons and Carols: Public and Private (New York; Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 2008), 5.and William Sailer et al., Religious and Theological Abstracts (Myerstown, PA: Religious and Theological Abstracts, 2012).and Leonel L. Mitchell, Pastoral and Occasional Liturgies (A Ceremonial Guide), First Rowman & Littlefield edition (Lanham, MD; Chicago; New York; Toronto; Plymouth, UK: A Cowley Publications Book, 2007), 32.
2 Donald K. McKim, The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014), 33. and E. Cobham Brewer, ed., Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (London; Paris; Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Limited, 1895), 133. and General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America, An Explanation of the Common Service, Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged (Philadelphia: General Council Publication House, 1908), 111.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
Comments
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Thank you for this. The history is interesting, and the list of Scriptures used saves one from reinventing the wheel. Is it alright if I save a copy of this article, under your name and with your references and links intact, in my Logos notes?
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Yes, of course.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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Thank you!
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Thank You MJ! I was looking for something like this for our Christmas Eve service this year. I like something that is historically and internationally rooted.
Making Disciples! Logos Ecosystem = LogosMax on Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Win11), Android app on tablet, FSB on iPhone & iPad mini, Proclaim (Proclaim Remote on Fire Tablet).
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@MJ. Smith do you work for logos? Just wondering. Your always posting. Very valuable content btw
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No, I'm a retired computer and liturgy nerd.
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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We listened to Lessons and Carols every year growing up.
"The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected."- G.K. Chesterton
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if you are looking for a simple four part harmony version. you might look at
Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."
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