A Rather Different Carol Service

1995

Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

Service: Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Location:  500 year old Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, central England

My role: 

Boy chorister in the cathedral choir (Ahh…)

Music: 
Traditional carols. Top quality classical choral music. World-class organist.

Choir outfit: 

Traditional red cassocks and surpluses

Atmosphere:  
Very English. Very Oxford. Traditional. Very serious. Ticketed entry. Atmospheric dim lighting and candle-lit.

My spiritual understanding:  

Minimal. Enjoyed a rousing (and good quality) sing.

Overriding feeling:  

Excited about unpacking my stocking in the parents’ car on the way home from boarding school.

The massive and impressive Durham Cathedral

2005

Service: 
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Location:
1000 year old massive Durham Cathedral, Durham, north England

My role:  
Choral scholar as a university student in the cathedral choir

Music: 
Traditional carols. Pretty good classical choral music…

Choir outfit: 
Palatinate purple cassocks and surpluses

Atmosphere:
Grand. Very English. Traditional. Very serious. Atmospheric dim lighting and candle-lit. 

My spiritual understanding:  

Maturing. A bit concerned by religion overshadowing the gospel message.

Overriding feeling:  All very pleasant, but saddened by those singing "Glory to the newborn King!" who, the rest of the year, really didn’t seem to care about His glory.

With the pastors and choir at NCBC

2015

Service:
Carol of Seven Lessons (I think something got lost in translation…)

Location:
2 year old New Creation Bible Church (NCBC) with incomplete roof and walls, in Kotu slum, the Gambia

My role:
Guest preacher

Music:
Karaoke videos of such classics as “Oh Christmas Tree” (idolatry?!) and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (appropriate?!) before the start. Then traditional carols sung with African pronunciation, electric keyboard (once he worked out the key for each song), and occasional brilliantly entertaining musical arrangement (with synchronised swaying). The final congregational singing of “Oh come let us adore him - Christ the Lord!” was pretty stirring in its passion and sincerity.

Choir outfit:
Matching red tops with santa hats or red cowboy hats

Atmosphere: Unsurprisingly began an hour late. Cheerful interaction between the pastor leading the service and the congregation throughout, including the occasional spontaneous song. Youth group and children’s groups’ presentations included. Applause after every item. Bright electric lighting except for during the power cut half-way through.

My spiritual understanding:
Privileged to have the opportunity to share the reason for the season - the “good news of great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10) that Jesus our Saviour has come.

Overriding feeling:
Greatly entertained by the unfamiliar expression of Christmas joy, and overflowing with thankfulness for the privilege and opportunity to proclaim Jesus.