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BY JESSE DE LEON III
South Texas Catholic
The tradition of Lessons and Carols dates to the late 1800s, and it continues at the Corpus Christi Cathedral this Christmas. It is a dramatic interplay of scripture passages and music that balances familiar melodies that swell to dramatic crescendos that build a sense of expectation and anticipation of the birth of Jesus.
Knowing the history of Lessons and Carols helps create a deeper appreciation and understanding of its liturgical role. The lessons, also known as Nine Lessons or the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, are scripture passages that tell the story of the fall of humanity and the coming of the Messiah. These readings include excerpts from the book of Genesis, prophetic books, and Gospels from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Between the reading of these scriptures, the carols are sung, usually by a choir that features different soloists. But regardless of whether it is the spoken word, or a musical performance, Lessons and Carols lead up to a moment that is unexpectedly quiet but unmistakably powerful.
“The majesty of the lessons and carols all build up to the moment Midnight Mass begins,” says Alex Oldroyd, Director of Music at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. “At midnight, when the first few notes of ‘Silent Night’ are heard, they let everyone know our Savior is about to be born.”
Oldroyd says that he and the members of the Corpus Christi Cathedral Choir rehearse tirelessly on vocal and musical arrangements to present these pieces as they were originally performed. Oldroyd acknowledges his choir’s commitment to excellence and how that focus works to infuse each performance with earnest spirituality. The 25-member choir spends approximately sixteen hours rehearsing for Lessons and Carols, with each singer devoting 2 to 4 hours to individual practicing. Oldroyd himself logs many hours not only as the director but also as the organist. He estimates he spends approximately 6 to 10 hours setting up the organ and coordinating rehearsal schedules. The estimated total preparation time is over 450 hours.
The original Lessons and Carols comprise nine scripture passages and accompanying music, but what will be heard
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on Christmas Eve at the Corpus Christi Cathedral will be modified out of a practical concern of timing.
“We don’t have time to do that long of a service,” says Oldroyd. “The passages we eventually use are a result of reflecting on some of the things that Bishop Mulvey talked about in recent homilies or an Advent message, and those are the kinds of things that usually guide me in choosing the theme upon which our performance will focus.”
Oldroyd adds that he also strives to select the scripture passages and melodies that will underscore the season of Advent’s joyful anticipation that leads to the birth of the Savior. He says he considers selections that fit in as either beginning, ending or anchor pieces that help tell the story most effectively as it all leads up to the start of Midnight Mass.
“The carols frame the spiritual content of the lessons, and this the narrative which leads up to the moment when Advent finally ends, and Christmas joyously begins.”
The television, internet and radio broadcasts of The Service of Lessons and Carols and the Midnight Mass at Corpus Christi Cathedral on Dec. 24 at 11:30 p.m. are presented live thanks to a generous gift from
H-E-B and its partners desire that everyone remembers the true meaning of Christmas.
KDF-TV (Check cable guide for ch. #) Audio: KLUX-HD 89.5 & klux.org Live video stream: diocesecc.org/faith-resources
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