The better Advent close

You've possibly heard of the final Advent service of 9 lessons and carols, invented, it is said, in Truro Cathedral by Ed Benson in 1880.

Like me, you possibly find it too long.

So at church we are doing the much better, more 'graspable' and with more Christian reference service of 7 lessons and carols (7 being the number of 'perfection' or  completion: see Genesis 1).

WELCOME

ANTICIPATION

CONGREGATION – Jer. 33:14-16

SONG

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Isaiah 11:1-10

ANNOUNCEMENT

Luke 1:26-38 (I've been asked to read this one)

SONG

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

PRAYER

ARRIVAL

Matt 1:18-25

Luke 2:8-20

SONGS

Hark the Herald Angels

Joy to the World

Luke 2:25-35

SONGS

O Holy Night

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Here I Am to Worship

CONGREGATION – Is 9:1-7

Benediction