Holiday season brings Lessons and Carols

To kick off the holiday season, Darlington School will host its 27th annual Festival of Lessons and Carols Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in Morris Chapel.

“Lessons and Carols has become a wonderful tradition at Darlington that involves students of all ages,” said Sam Moss ('63), dean of college guidance. “The service is built around nine biblical lessons. Between the readings, a series of carols and anthems is presented.”

This service actually originated more than 125 years ago in the English city of Truro. In 1918, King’s College, Cambridge University, adopted the service, and the following year, they began the tradition of opening with the hymn “Once in a Royal David’s City.” Credit for the world-fame of the Lessons and Carols service belongs to the BBC, which began broadcasting the King’s College service worldwide in 1928.

Sponsored by the Darlington “Y” Cabinet, this year’s service will feature the 5th and 6th Grade Chorus, the Concert Choir, the Ladies’ and Men’s Chorales, and the Orchestra. Musical highlights include “Gloria In excelsis Deo,” “Hodie Christus natus est,” “Adam Lay Ybounden,” “Veni Veni (O Come, O Come Emmanuel),” “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” Children, Go Where I Send Thee,” “All Is Well,” “Peaceful, Silent Night,” a compilation of “Ding Dong Merrily on High” and “Carol of the Bells,” and traditional favorites like “We Three Kings” and “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.” Over 100 students are participating.

At the conclusion of the service, it has become tradition for the congregation to proceed outside for the Lighting of the Great Tree and caroling. This ceremony honors the lives of the late Dr. and Mrs. E.L. Wright, who began this tree-lighting tradition and who served Darlington for over 40 years. Dr. Wright was Darlington’s headmaster from 1920 until 1954, and president from 1954 to 1963.

If you are unable to attend this event in person, you are in luck! For the first time ever, Darlington School will stream its annual Lessons and Carols service live on the web. Simply visit www.darlingtonschool.org/carols and click the “Watch Lessons & Carols Live” link to enjoy it in real time. If you are unable to watch live because of a previous engagement, that’s OK, too. We will also post the full video along with event photos in a gallery on Darlington’s website.

Other upcoming holiday events include the Middle School Chorus, Band and Orchestra Concert on Dec. 6 and Lower School Christmas Programs on Dec. 13 and 15. Visit the School Calendar for times and locations. Admission to all events is free.