Lessons and Carols

When I was in college, and then again when I worked at my beloved alma mater, my favorite event of the year was the Festival of Lessons and Carols. I can close my eyes and see the huge Advent wreath suspended in the sanctuary by 3 purple ribbons and 1 pink ribbon. My dear friend and mentor Kim would lead us in prayer, donning an alb and looking every bit the minister that she was. The choir filled the altar space, dressed in tuxes and long black dresses. Members of the student body, faculty, and staff read scripture passages ranging from Genesis to John. The choir interspersed the readings with ancient hymns as well as familiar ones. O Holy Night could bring tears to my eyes, and Adeste Fideles made me smile and sing loudly.

It was always a holy night...and it marked, for me, the beginning of the Christmas season. I sat in a packed chapel, surrounded by friends, bursting with gratitude. I could feel the Light. I could see it coming.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.