As the final exordium of the year, it is the last time for us to gather together as one community before the break. This exordium will be unlike any of our others, which have a mostly inward focus. It is focused squarely on the gospel: the fall of man, the prophesies, and the incarnation as told through scriptural readings (lessons) and carols (hymns).
We hope you will join us for this very special and contemplative time of humble worship of our Redeemer.
Please join us Wednesday, December 11th at 8:00 am for a combined (upper & grammar school) Exordium of Lessons and Carols.
The Ambrose School’s Exordium of Lessons and Carols is adapted from a traditional Christian worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the story of the fall of man, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus told through a series of Bible readings and song.
The original service, called The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols dates back to 1880 when the Bishop of Truro, Edward Benson, formalized a service of nine readings from Genesis, the books of the Prophets, and the Gospels along with accompanying hymns. Benson would later become the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Since that time, the original liturgy has been adapted for use by many churches of various denominations worldwide. The longest running and most popularly known version has been held at King’s College, Cambridge, UK, since Christmas Eve, 1918. The King’s College Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has been broadcast annually by the BBC since 1928, except for a brief hiatus during the 1930’s.
