St. Mark’s Lessons and Carols – Tues & Thurs

Above: St. Mark’s School students participating in a past “Lessons and Carols”. The annual tradition continues this Sunday. (2019 images cropped from St. Mark’s smug mug photos by Nick Noble and Brandon Tang)

St. Mark’s School asked me to extend an invitation to the public to join their annual religious celebration of the season.

The Service of Nine Lessons & Carols traditionally takes place in Belmont Chapel each year.

For two years, the private school wasn’t able to hold a public service.* This December, they have expanded the opportunity to allow the community to attend either of two evening services. They will take place on Tuesday, December 6 and Thursday, December 8 at 6:45 pm.

In 2016, the school explained:

The Festival of Lessons & Carols is a service that date backs to 1880 in the Anglican communion, and it became a fixture in the Episcopal Church in the early 20th century. At St. Mark’s, a service of Lessons & Carols was first presented seventy years ago, and the tradition continues to this day.

The service includes readings by St. Mark’s School students and community members. And of course, there is singing:

The St. Mark’s Choir, under the direction of James Wallace, St. Mark’s Director of Music and Arts Department Chair, will sing new and traditional Christmas anthems and lead congregational caroling.

Belmont Chapel is the first building at the main entrance of the school, 25 Marlboro Road. (Click here for campus map.) Follow signs to visitor parking. All are welcome.

*In 2020, it appears the private school held a virtual service. In 2021, they were able to hold an in person event for students in a larger performance hall. This year, they will return to their traditional venue and open doors to the public.