The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: A Century-Old Tradition of Faith and Music (E45)
Welcome to “Music in Our Homeschool,” where we explore ways to incorporate music into your homeschool curriculum. I’m your host, and today we’re diving into the beautiful tradition of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
The Origins and Significance
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is a cherished Christmas Eve service that has captivated audiences for over a century. This beautiful tradition began in Truro Cathedral, Cornwall, England, in the late 1800s when Christmas carols were first being embraced by the church for celebrating the Incarnation.
In 1880, Edward White Benson, the first Bishop of Truro, introduced the concept of interspersing Bible readings, or “lessons,” with carols. This created the first Nine Lessons and Carols service. Benson’s intention was partly to keep his parishioners from reveling too much in the “wrong” kind of Christmas spirit down at the pub, but it was also a way to bring together his congregation during a time of uncertainty while they awaited the construction of their cathedral.
However, it was the 1918 service at King’s College, Cambridge, that truly popularized this format and brought it to global attention.
The Impact of World War I
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, as we know it today, grew out of the ashes of the First World War. In 1918, a 34-year-old former army chaplain named Eric Milner-White was appointed Dean of King’s College. Deeply affected by the atrocities he witnessed on the Western Front, Milner-White came home believing that the church was failing the troops. He devised the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols as a means of outreach to those who felt alienated by the church or religion as a whole.
Instead of a complicated mass, the carols service was simpler, alternating between choral anthems, congregational hymns, and readings. This gesture was particularly important to the town of Cambridge, which had lost 211 men from King’s College alone during the war.
Structure of the Service
The service follows a specific structure:
- It begins with an organ prelude, often featuring works by renowned composers like Johann Sebastian Bach.
- A processional hymn follows, typically “Once in Royal David’s City”. This opening hymn has become a cherished tradition, with a lone boy chorister singing the first verse unaccompanied.
- The congregation then joins in a bidding prayer, which still includes a special prayer to honor the fallen from World War I.
The heart of the service consists of nine short Bible readings, or lessons, that trace the story of humanity from the fall in the Garden of Eden to the birth of Jesus. These readings are interspersed with carols, hymns, and choral pieces.
Music Selection
The carols chosen for the service can vary, but some traditional selections include:
- “If Ye Would Hear the Angels Sing”
- “Adam lay ybounden”
- “Remember, O Thou Man”
These pieces, along with others, help to musically narrate the Christmas story and its significance. In recent years, King’s College has established a tradition of commissioning a new carol each year, adding a fresh and often surprising element to the seemingly fixed repertoire.
Global Impact
The popularity of the King’s College service was hastened by the first radio broadcast in 1928, and it soon became a global phenomenon when the BBC began broadcasting the service overseas in the early 1930s. Today, the BBC’s radio broadcast of the service reaches an estimated global audience of 100 million people. Listen to it on Christmas Eve day or evening here!
Educational Value
For homeschoolers, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols offers a rich educational opportunity. It combines biblical studies, music appreciation, and cultural history. You can use this tradition to:
- Study the biblical narrative from Genesis to the Gospels.
- Explore different musical styles and composers.
- Discuss the historical context of the tradition’s development, including its connection to World War I.
- Analyze the poetry and lyrics of various carols.
- Investigate the evolution of Christmas music over time.
Incorporating It Into Your Homeschool
To bring this tradition into your homeschool:
- Listen to recordings of the service, particularly the annual broadcast from King’s College.
- Create your own mini-service, selecting readings and carols.
- Use the provided picture study of John Faed’s “Expulsion of Adam and Eve” to visually reinforce the biblical narrative.
- Research and discuss the historical context of the service’s creation.
- Explore the musical elements of different carols, including rhythm, harmony, and melody.
- Encourage your children to write their own carols or compose simple melodies.
- Do the Music of Christmas “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” online course. Check out a free lesson here.
Remember, the beauty of homeschooling is the flexibility to adapt traditions like this to suit your family’s needs and interests.
Explore the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
As we wrap up, I encourage you to explore the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with your family this Christmas season. It’s a wonderful way to combine faith, music, and education in a meaningful holiday tradition. Whether you’re listening to the broadcast, creating your own service, or simply discussing the carols and their meanings, you’ll be enriching your homeschool experience and creating lasting memories.
The Online Course
Music of Christmas Course
Fun Music Lessons to Get You and Your Kids in the Holiday Spirit
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See the YouTube Video
Listen to the Podcast Episode: 45: The Rich Tradition of Nine Lessons and Carols for Homeschool Families
Listen here or subscribe and follow The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast through your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
Read the Podcast Transcript here.
