In the great English tradition of King’s College, Cambridge, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the greater Morristown community anticipate the joy of Christmas with a festive service of carols and anthems on Dec. 20, 2014.
The combined choirs of St. Peter’s will continue a Christmas tradition of Lessons and Carols that dates to the 1880s.
Edward Benson White, the first Bishop of Truro, devised the service of biblical passages from the old and the new testaments telling the story of redemption through Christ interspersed with carols, hymns, and anthems.
The service begins with a chorister singing the beloved, Once in Royal David’s City. This is followed by lessons telling of the fall of Adam, Gabriel’s visitation to the Virgin Mary, the birth of Christ, the arrival of the Shepherds and Kings, and ending with the opening of St. John’s gospel, “In the beginning was the Word…”
Between these lessons familiar Christmas carols and beautiful choral anthems will be sung. Readers for this service will include state Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-25th Dist.), Mayor Tim Dougherty, Principal Lora Clark of the Normandy Park School, Pastor David Smazik of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown, Pastor Sidney Williams Jr. of the Bethel A.M.E. Church and Episcopal Rev. Greg Perez.
Christmas Lessons and Carols
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 at 6 PM
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
At the corner of Miller Road & South Street, Morristown
