A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols on Classical 91.5/90.3

The Festival of Lessons and Carols tells the Christmas story in words and music. It was developed in England during the late 19th century as a new an innovative way of celebrating Christmas Eve, and the service has been broadcast every year by the BBC since 1928

Here in Rochester, the Festival of Lessons and Carols has been a Christmas Eve tradition at Third Presbyterian Church for over half a century. Following the version that has been made famous by King’s College, Cambridge, the service tells the Christmas story in readings from the prophets and the gospels, congregational carols, and Christmas anthems sung by Third Presbyterian’s Chancel Choir.

The service begins with the processional hymn, “Once in Royal David’s City.” Musicians and celebrants share readings, Christmas Carols, and anthems, and the service culminates with the lighting of the Christ Candle in the darkened church as the congregation sings “Silent Night.”

WXXI-FM began broadcasting A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols live from Third Presbyterian Church in 1998. Every year, thousands of listeners in Rochester and the Southern Tier tune in for the annual Christmas Eve broadcast, with listeners from around the world joining the broadcast via the World Wide Web.

• This Year's Broadcast
• The Chancel Choir
• Third Presbyterian Church

Major funding for A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols is provided by a generous grant from Seniorsfirst.