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Christmas Services at the Cathedral...

As Christmas approaches, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, is preparing to welcome hundreds of visitors to its special services. All are welcome at these services and no tickets or pre-booking is required. Everyone will be accommodated but the earlier you arrive, the better seat you will find.

Carols by Candlelight takes place on Saturday 14 December at 7.00 pm, the annual service of music and readings, led by the Cathedral Choir and St Edmundsbury Singers, which raises vital funds for the work of the Children’s Society.

On Sunday 22 December a very different kind of reflection takes place at 5.30 pm called The Longest Night, a quiet service of refuge, comfort and hope for all facing a difficult Christmas.

The traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place on Monday 23 December at 7.00 pm. Led by the Cathedral Choir, for many people this marks the start of Christmas as the soloist opens the service with the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’.

Christmas Eve brings two Crib services, aimed at families, at 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm and Midnight Eucharist which starts at 11.00 pm and welcomes in Christmas Day. On Christmas Day itself there are services at 8.00 am (Book of Common Prayer) and a family service at 10.00 am.

‘The Cathedral is a place of inclusion and welcome for all faiths and none, and especially so at Christmas when so we revisit the age old story of how outsiders are welcomed in, how the insignificant find welcome at a manger throne and God comes to us in humility and tenderness. As so many visitors come to sing carols, we look forward to touching hearts with ancient truths,’ comments the Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury. ‘We hope that the familiar words of the Christmas readings will touch hearts and minds this year.’