Advent & Christmas at Malmesbury Abbey A guide to concerts, services, drama and community events in December 2012
Everybody is very welcome to join us at Malmesbury Abbey in December as we celebrate the inspiring seasons of Advent and Christmas with music, drama, song and worship. December is our busiest month of the year so we hope this brochure and the diary on the reverse will help you, your friends and family be a part of some very special celebrations. Brand new this year is The
Malmesbury Nativity in which Aldhelm,
Eilmer & William cross the boundaries of time and join forces with Hannah Twynnoy to bring the story of the birth of Christ to the 21st century people of Malmesbury. Four young professional actors from North Wiltshire bringing high energy, laughs, drama and beauty to the most famous birth in history. These five one-hour performances are suitable for all generations and replace the normal nativity and crib services at the Abbey. The Malmesbury Nativity will include all your favourite carols, led by a live music band, and finishes with a Christmas tableau when all the young people are welcomed on the stage in their Christmas costumes. Tickets from the Abbey Bookshop are ÂŁ2, free for under 18s. Other highlights this year include the flautist Sir
James Galway in concert
on Saturday 1st December, although as we go to print this concert is nearly sold out. Our candlelit Advent
Carol Service is on Advent Sunday, 2nd De-
cember at 6.30pm. The great Advent carols like O come, O come Emmanuel and Lo he comes in clouds descending with music by Bach, Rachmaninoff and a new piece for Malmesbury, Seek Him that maketh the seven stars by Jonathan Dove. Our service of Nine
Lessons and Carols is on Sunday 23rd December at
6.30pm and like all our Christmas services we would advise you to arrive really early to get a seat. You are very warmly invited to join in all our Christmas celebrations at the Abbey this year; if you’re new to our community or to the Abbey you are particularly welcome. Please phone 01666 826666 with any enquiries or contact office@malmesburyabbey.com. www.malmesburyabbey.com
SEEK HIM THAT MAKETH THE SEVEN STARS
Advent Carol Service by candlelight Malmesbury Abbey Sunday 2nd December at 6.30pm. Admission Free.
Midnight Communion Christmas Eve
Carols from 11.15pm Service begins at 11.30pm
Sir James Galway JS Bach: Brandenburg Concerto no 4 Arias with flute from Cantatas Orchestral Suite 2 in B minor
Only a few tickets left at the Abbey
Saturday Dec 1st at 7.30pm
CHRISTMAS DAY AT THE ABBEY Christmas Day at the Abbey begins at one minute past midnight as a packed congregation wishes each other Happy Christmas and shares the first Mass of Christ—the actual Christ-Mass. At about 1am we lock up the Abbey, checking every last candle is extinguished, and, greeting revellers and policeman, go home to grab a few hours sleep. One of our clergy will then take the early shift and lead the 8am Holy Communion with the ancient 17th century words of the Book of Common Prayer. At 9.30am the next shift arrives to lead a simple Holy Communion service with a few carols. Then at 10.30am
fresh coffee is poured down the arriving parents who have been up since about 4am unwrapping presents. At 11am the band strikes up and our Christmas Day Family Celebration is literally standing room only. New Christmas presents and clothing are introduced to the congregation, we sing Christmas carols on Christmas Day—which makes it feel like a real Christmas Day—and we then share our bottles of champagne after a truly joyous service. In under 24 hours we see about 1,500 people through the Abbey’s ancient doors– you’re warmly invited to be one of them this year.
Malmesbury Abbey Café
Drop in for a really warm welcome from Clare Cork and the team: Monday to Saturday from 9am, Wednesdays from 12 noon — ask her about our special seasonal ice cream. Christmas cards, gifts and Advent Calendars are also available from the Abbey Bookshop.
Abbey Skate 2013 13th—15th FEBRUARY
December 1st
7.30pm James Galway in Concert
December 2nd
Advent Sunday 8am & 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Family Service 6.30pm Advent Carol Service by Candlelight
December 5th
The Abbey Christmas Tree arrives!
December 9th
8am & 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Family Worship 6.30pm Choral Evensong
December 14th 10.15am Malmesbury CE Primary School Carol Service
Abbey December Diary December 16th 8am & 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm Family Worship December 19th Malmesbury School Carol Service at 7.30pm December 21st 7pm The Malmesbury Nativity (1) December 22nd 7pm The Malmesbury Nativity (2) December 23rd 8am & 10.30am Holy Communion 4pm The Malmesbury Nativity (3) 6.30pm Service of Nine & Carols by Candlelight Christmas Eve 4pm The Malmesbury Nativity (4) 6pm The Malmesbury Nativity (5) 11.30pm Midnight Communion (Carols from 11.15pm) Christmas Day 8am BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion 10.30am Coffee 11am Family Celebration 12 noon Coffee & Champagne (bring a bottle!) Boxing Day Abbey Closed until Wednesday January 2nd, except‌ December 30th 11am Simple Communion