The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Book

For many, a principal highlight of Christmas is the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. First aired in 1918, it is broadcast annually by BBC Radio direct from King's College Chapel in Cambridge and carried in the United States by NPR. Many have organized their holiday festivities to be part of the audience for this very special performance.

With beautiful illustrations of details from illuminated manuscripts, photographs, and paintings appropriate to the season, this elegant volume is a wonderful companion to this unique Christmas celebration. It is packaged with a CD of a slightly abridged version of a service that includes a dozen carols, including "Once in Royal David's City," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Good King Wenceslas," "Silent Night, Holy Night," and "In Dulci Jubilo," all sung by the internationally renowned boy's and men's choir of King's College.

In addition to following the complete festival in sequence, the book contains a history of the service and of King's College's choir, what the service means today, and the origins and history of the hymns and carols. A keepsake that families will cherish, the book is a romantic and religious departure from the modern world, a glorious affirmation that Christmas has arrived.