The Christmas Season Begins with Story and Song and Immanuel

For twenty-two years, Immanuel has been ushering in the Advent season with A Service of Lessons and Carols. This year on Sat., Dec. 2, two services are offered at 4 and 6 PM. The Christus Choir eagerly began to practice for their part in the service early in November, and as the event draws closer the children and many gifted musicians in the congregation become caught up in the celebration.

A Service of Lessons and Carols is modeled on the service held at King’s College Chapel every year since 1918. The order for the service has changed very little in the past decades. It consists of nine lessons interspersed with Scripture readings beginning with the fall into sin in Genesis, threading through the prophets and ending with the first chapter of the Gospel of John. The carol, Once in Royal David’s City is the traditional processional carol.

As darkness covers the outside of Immanuel, the sanctuary is quietly lovely with evergreen boughs and tiny lights. There is an air of anticipation as the service begins, each singer and musician intent on giving his or her best to present a performance that will inspire everyone to prepare for the Lord’s coming as a tiny baby at Christmas.