Christ Church in Newton to Present Annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols on Dec. 21
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — Christ Episcopal Church in Newton will host its annual Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m., offering the community a traditional Christmas celebration featuring scripture, choral music and congregational caroling.
The historic service includes nine Bible readings interspersed with carols that recount the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus. The Christ Church Senior Choir and Youth Choir will perform under the direction of Choirmaster Joseph Mello and Youth Choir Director Deborah Mello. The ensembles will be accompanied by organ, piano and a string quintet.
The program will feature works by Hector Berlioz, Bob Chilcott, Dan Forrest, Rhonda Polay, John Rutter, Natalie Sleeth, Peter Warlock, David Willcocks and Ralph Vaughan Williams, along with arrangements of traditional carols and anthems. Attendees will also have several opportunities to join in singing.
A reception will follow the service.
The Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols is rooted in a format first created by Edward White Benson—later the Archbishop of Canterbury—for Christmas Eve 1880 in Truro, Cornwall. The service has since become a beloved global tradition.
The Rev. Chris Streeter will preside, with piano and organ accompaniment provided by Diana Greene.
The event is free and open to the public, though a freewill offering will be collected. Christ Church is located at 62 Main St. in Newton.
For more information, call 973-383-2245 or visit christchurchnewton.org.
