Christmas 2022
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at St Albans Cathedral www.stalbanscathedral.org/christmas
Advent and Christmas
“Greetings from your Cathedral and our warmest invitation to you, your family and friends, to join our Advent and Christmas celebrations. At the heart of the message of Christmas is the story of a child born to show the world the way of peace, a peace founded on love and bringing hope. This Christmas let us pray for peace in our world, our communities, our homes and our hearts. Let us each also commit ourselves to bring that peace to others this Christmas in our care for one another, especially those most in need. We look forward to sharing this holy season with you.”
The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St AlbansWe have a busy programme of events and special services planned over the festive period which are open to all. From quiet, candlelit services and the ever popular Carols on the Hour, to the Nativity and Crib services, there is something for everyone at the Cathedral this December. You can also pop into our shop where you will find Christmas gifts or visit our lovely cafe to sample some festive delights.
Join us from the comfort of your own home throughout this festive period as we continue to livestream the 11.15am Sunday Eucharists on our YouTube channel. Additional livestream services are marked with a ��.
Ticketing Information
Our ticketed services this year are Lessons and Carols on 21 and 22 December. Free tickets can be booked on our website under the event page. These services are very popular so please be aware that tickets may go quickly.
Donate this Christmas
Consider donating to St Albans Cathedral this Christmas. Whether it is a one-off donation or a regular contribution, your support will help protect the Cathedral for generations to come.
This Christmas, the Cathedral is working with the NSPCC. The NSPCC is a children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK. 10 percent of every service donation given to the Cathe dral over Advent will go to the NSPCC, plus any Gift Aid.
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Advent Procession
Sunday 27 November, 6pm
All are welcome to join us for this atmospheric service of readings and music to mark the beginning of Advent. Through scripture, poetry, hymns and choral music we reflect on the traditional themes of the season of Advent, and prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ.
Quiet Abbey in Advent
Monday 28 November, 7.30pm
Come and experience this ancient building in meditative silence during the season of Advent. Lit only by candlelight, the Cathedral will be open for quiet reflection and private prayer.
Admission to the Cathedral is free. Donations are welcomed.
Somewhere 2 Sing
Saturday 3 December, 6pm and 8.30pm
Join singers from across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex for an evening of Christmas and popular songs. Tickets for this event are available on our website.
The Carol Concert by The Hospice of St Francis
Sunday 4 December, 3pm
Come and experience a magical afternoon of festive carols and Christmas readings with local choirs, guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit.
Tickets for this event are available on our website.
Willow Carol Concert
Tuesday 6 December, 7.30pm
Enjoy an evening of your favourite Christmas carols sung by the Hertfordshire Chorus.
Tickets for this event are available on our website.
Bach Choir Carol Concerts
Saturday 10 December, 3pm and 7pm
Join the St Albans Bach Choir, Embassy Brass and James McVinnie for two concerts of Christmas music. Tickets for this event are available on our website.
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Services and activities which are particularly suitable for young children are marked with a star.⭐
Christingle ⭐
Sunday 11 December, 3pm
The Christingle service uses a special symbol, a decorated orange, to explore the story of God’s love for the world at Christmas. During the service candles are lit to represent Christ’s light. All donations from this service will go to The Children’s Society. Carols on the Hour ⭐
Saturday 17 December, 11am - 4pm
The opportunity to belt out some carols is provided by Carols on the Hour. Throughout the day, an assortment of choirs will sing different selections of carols with anyone who wishes to come and join in.
11am Big Sing
12pm Just Sing
1pm Musical Melodies
2pm Classical Chorus
3pm Parish Singers 4pm Lay Clerks of Cathedral Choir and Abbey Singers
Live Nativity Trail ⭐
Saturday 17 December, 12pm - 3pm
Experience the Nativity of Bethlehem right here in St Albans. As you travel around the city, with your trusty map, you will meet Nativity characters and collect stamps. At the final destination, you will see the story of Christmas brought to life like never before.
Parish Eucharist with Nativity Play⭐
Sunday 18 December, 9.30am
The Children of St Albans Cathedral star in this heart-warming retelling of the very first Christmas. In times when hope and joy are so desperately needed, why not join us on the journey to that stable in Bethlehem where true hope is to be found.
Lights of Love
Sunday 18 December, 2.30pm
In this service of carols and prayers, we light candles and our Lights of Love tree outside in memory of those who have died as we seek God’s comfort and strength knowing that, in God, life is eternal, hope is greater than fear and that the light of God’s love will always overcome the shadows of death and grief.
Advent Trail ⭐
Throughout December
Explore some of the Cathedral’s beautiful reminders of the Christmas story as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. Trail maps are free and available from the Welcome Centre.
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Adopt a gift this Christmas
Adopt St Albans Cathedral and give something unique! Choose a Roman brick from the medieval tower, a pipe from the Harrison & Harrison organ, or a historic page, image or manuscript from the Cathedral archive. From £25, find out more on our website.
www.stalbanscathedral.org
#ShopLocal this Christmas
Cathedral Shop
Open Daily | 10am - 5pm
Christmas opening hours vary. Full details are available on our website.
The Cathedral Shop is the perfect place to find the ideal gift for your friends and family this Christmas with a range including decorations, cards and gifts inspired by the Cathedral and the Nativity story.
Abbot’s Kitchen
Open daily | 10am - 4pm
Drop into Abbot’s Kitchen to enjoy a selection of winter warmers. From mince pies and gingerbread lattes, to festive paninis and daily specials, there’s something for all tastes this December.
The Cathedral Community would like to thank Aylett Nurseries for the generous donation of our Christmas trees.
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Lessons and Carols
Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 December, 7.30pm ��
A true staple of the Cathedral’s Christmas programme, the beautiful and atmospheric candlelit service of Lessons and Carols features music from the Cathedral Choirs and traditional seasonal readings.
Tickets for Lessons and Carols are free and will be available on our website from 9 December. The Thursday service will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
Due to the high demand for tickets to the services of Lessons and Carols, we would ask you to book for one night only.
If you find you are no longer able to attend, please contact mail@stalbanscathedral.org so we can reallocate your tickets.
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© Emma Collins Photography
Christmas Eve
Crib Service on Christmas Eve, 1pm and 2.30pm ⭐
Put on your mittens and woolly scarves and get yourselves ready for Christmas, with carol singing and the magical story of the birth of Christ. The Crib service is a festive occasion for families to watch the Cathedral’s beautiful nativity scene being assembled by children from the congregation.
Choral Vespers on Christmas Eve, 5.30pm ��
As night falls on Christmas Eve, this beautiful and reflective service of music, readings and prayer marks the end of Advent and the beginning of Christmas. The service will be sung by the Boys and Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir.
Midnight Mass, 11pm ��
Midnight Mass marks the beginning of Christmas with this traditional night-time celebration of the Eucharist. The service sees Christmas Eve give way to Christmas Day. Popular carols and an atmospheric performance of a chosen Mass are sung in this service by the Boys and Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir.
Christmas Day
Eucharist, 8am Join us for an early, simple Eucharist in traditional English with carols.
Parish Eucharist, 9.30am ⭐ ��
Our Parish Eucharist for Christmas Day, sung by the St Albans Cathedral Girls Choir and Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir. Christmas Children’s Church takes place in the Chapter House.
Choral Eucharist, 11.15am
A traditional language Eucharist in the Nave, sung by the St Albans Cathedral Girls Choir and Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir.
Please note, there will be no daily guided tours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Following the 11.15am Eucharist, the Cathedral will be closed for the rest of Christmas Day.
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Come back and see us soon!
Boxing Day
If you are out for a walk in the park on Boxing Day, why not drop in and explore what the Cathedral has to offer? Carols on Boxing Day, 4pm
Join us for an informal service of carols and readings, for a final chance to sing Christmas carols this year.
Worship
Epiphany & Candlemas Carol Service Sunday 29 January 2023, 6pm
Join us for this beautiful service of music, sung by the Girls and Lay Clerks of the Cathedral Choir, and readings.
Enquirers Course
Interested in learning more about the Christian faith? Our Enquirers course gives you the opportunity to learn more about Christianity and ask as many questions as you like. Please email jo.clark@stalbanscathedral.org to register your interest.
St Albans Cathedral
Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY 01727 890210 | mail@stalbanscathedral.org www.stalbanscathedral.org All information was correct at the time of going to print.
Opening times
The Cathedral is open daily 8.30am – 5.30pm, except for Christmas Day when we will be closing at 1pm. Entry is free All donations are gratefully received. Tickets Book online at www.stalbanscathedral.org, in-person at our Box Office, located in the Cathedral Shop, or call 01727 890290. @stalbanscathedral
@stalbanscathedral @StAlbansCath /StAlbansCathedralOfficial