The traditional, musical evening service that ushers in the Advent and Christmas seasons is set for St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Guadalajara for Sunday, December 6, 6 p.m.
“Lessons and Carols” is an annual, tradition at St. Mark’s that people of various religious backgrounds generally attend and in which community singers are invited to join choir regulars. Director Debbie Matthew explains that “we started doing Lessons and Carols at St. Mark’s in 1993. We do some beautiful Episcopal hymns that may be unfamiliar to some people, such as ‘Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming’ and ‘Once in Royal David’s City,’ and then we continue with better known carols that follow along with the nine Bible readings.”
The congregation sings with the choir for many of the hymns. Ana Silvia Guerrero will accompany on the organ in the small chapel, known for its excellent acoustics.
The Lessons and Carols tradition began in England on Christmas Eve 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge, famed for its choir. It was then called Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
The service at St. Mark’s will be followed by punch and refreshments.
St. Mark’s Anglican/Episcopal Church, Aztecas and Chichimecas, Colonia Monraz, about two kilometers north of Plaza Mexico and near the entrance to the UAG medical school and the end of bus route 33A. (33) 3641-6620. For map, see www.stmarksanglican.org/map.htm.