On 11 and 12 December at Christ’s Hospital School, a carol service was held to mark a joyful celebration of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The candlelit services provided a beautifully reflective end to an outstanding Michaelmas term at CH.

The service on Thursday 11 December was solely open to members of the public, with the pupils’ ‘whole school’ service taking place in the evening of the following day, just before the annual Christmas dinner that has students up and down the avenue boarding houses excited months in advance – and with good reason too! It’s not every day you see Year 13’s dressed as Mario and Luigi step foot in the school’s century old dining hall…

Personally, as a student at Christ’s Hospital School myself, each year I find myself recognising that this carol service is an unequivocal highlight of the academic year, due to its ability to bring the whole student – and staff – community together in thoughtfulness and song.

Each service included eight lessons and eight corresponding carols.

The lessons included readings from the Head and CEO, both Deputy Heads, the School Chaplain, the Senior Grecian and the Second Monitor.

Each carol was sung by either the congregation (everyone together), the Chapel Choir or the Gospel Choir, respectively. The carols were sung in the following order:

  • Once in Royal David’s City (Chapel Choir and congregation)
  • This is the Truth (An anthem, sung by the Chapel Choir)
  • Star Carol (Chapel Choir)
  • Unto Us Is Born A Son (Congregation)
  • Mary Did You Know (Gospel Choir)
  • In the Bleak Midwinter (Chapel Choir)
  • While Shepherd’s Watched (Congregation)
  • My Lord Has Come (Chapel Choir)
  • Ding Dong, Merrily on High (Chapel Choir)
  • O Come, All Ye Faithful (Congregation)
  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Congregation)

Both services were lead, as ever, with deep reverence and meaning by our School Chaplain, Rev’d Dr Anthony Moore. The services marked the first Festival of Lessons and Carols he has taken during his time at Christ’s Hospital, having joined the school this September.

Full of utmost praise for everyone involved, Father Anthony highlighted the whole school service as a specific standout moment. He explained: “I have taken many Carol Services over the past 26 years of ordained ministry (and participated in many others before then), but this year's CH School Service must surely crown them all: the staff and student readers were excellent, and the performances by our organists, Chapel Choir and Gospel Choir were outstanding.”

These heartfelt words stand not only as a compliment to the incredible work done by the Chapel Choir and Gospel Choir, but also as a compliment to the whole school community, for its sense of maturity and engagement throughout the service.

Catherine, an ‘Old Blue’ (former student of Christ’s Hospital), and parent of a child now at the school attended the service on 11 December, and described it as being “just as beautiful as I can remember.”

She explained that “the combination of the joyful singing and the historic and intricate setting of the Chapel under candlelight makes it something I shall never forget.”

Both evenings offered a reminder of the happiness, unity and faith that makes Christ’s Hospital so special.