Lessons & Carols was first held in its current form at King’s College Cambridge on Christmas Eve of 1918 - mere weeks after the conclusion of World War 1. The service was designed by the Anglican Minister Eric Milner-White who had witnessed the atrocities of the War firsthand, and who saw many of his peers doubting their faith and questioning God’s goodness as a result. Milner-White describes his intentions for the service: “the main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God” (as viewed) “through the windows and the words of the Bible.” 

Lessons & Carols consists of nine Scripture readings, four very brief meditations (in lieu of a typical sermon), and singing several Christmas carols together. The service rehearses the biblical story of redemption from Genesis to the birth of Christ. Today, millions of Anglican Christians throughout the globe participate in the tradition each year. Click here if you’d like to read more about the history and background.