Advent & Christmas

at Malmesbury Abbey

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

at MALMESBURY ABBEY

A guide to concerts, services, drama

and community events in December 2014

ADVENT CAROL SERVICE by candlelight

Sunday 30th November at 6.30pm

Music by Bach, Tallis, Lauridsen, Palestrina

Admission Free

In 1880 the Rt Revd Edward Benson,

then the Bishop of Truro, devised a

service of carols and readings to be-

gin at 10pm on Christmas Eve; os-

tensibly to get men out of their local

Cornish pubs and into his temporary

wooden cathedral. Spoilsport. What

is a little better known is that in

1918 the Very Revd Eric Milner-

White, Dean of King’s College Cam-

bridge, modified this earlier version

and produced the imaginative lit-

urgy which we listen to each Christ-

mas on the BBC. The ‘Nine Lessons’

Why Nine Lessons? Abbey vicar, Neill Archer, introduces some of the

highlights of Advent and Christmas at the Abbey

has become not just a national but a

global institution, and on the Sunday

before Christmas at 6.30pm you are

welcome to join us for our candlelit

Nine Lessons & Carols at Malmesbury

Abbey, bringing to life the grace, the

beauty and most significantly the

birth at the heart of Christmas. As

always, please arrive early for a seat

as this and many of our Christmas

services are standing room only.

Two other ‘Nine Lessons’ make an

appearance this year. We are joined

Jake Drake as Aldhelm/Simeon in The Malmesbury Nativity

on Dec 5th by the Irish born singer-

songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones who

returns to the Abbey with a fresh

acoustic take on the Nine Lessons. A

laid-back, intimate evening with a

glass of mulled wine and the Abbey

Café open, as Gareth explores some

of our best known Christmas carols

with fresh interpretations, the odd

new melody, and some of the stories

of the original writers. And the

Malmesbury School Carol Service on

Dec 17th is a beautiful celebration of

the birth of Christ led by young peo-

ple from across North Wiltshire.

The full Abbey Diary for Advent and

Christmas is found on the back of

this brochure but here are some

more highlights to put in your diary

and turn up early for:

The Advent Carol Service on Nov 30th

at 6.30pm begins with the Abbey in

total darkness, and gradually the

building is candlelit as the light is

passed from one person to the next.

Ancient readings, transcendent mu-

sic and a blazing light, symbolising

that even in the very real darkness of

our world there is hope in Christ.

Rob Hinwood as Eilmer/Gabriel in The Malmesbury Nativity

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December 20th 4pm & 7pm

December 23rd 4pm

Christmas Eve 4pm & 6pm

Adults £2.50 Children free

The Malmesbury Nativity is simply like

no other. Thousands from our com-

munity, of all ages, have packed the

Abbey over the last two years to see

the Christmas story brought to life

by Aldhelm, Eilmer, William and Han-

nah, who are themselves brought to

life by young professional actors

from Wiltshire. St Matthew & St Luke

meet Mumford & Sons. Mulled wine

meets mystery. Tickets (Adults £2.50,

Children free) available at the Abbey.

New this year on Sunday December

21st at 3pm is The Christmas Story for

Young Children . This short service is

Rosie Archer as Hannah/Mary in The Malmesbury Nativity

aimed at families with children un-

der 7. Just like the Nativity, we’d en-

courage children to come in Christ-

mas costumes. Free tickets available.

And finally two very, very special ser-

vices. Late on Christmas Eve Mid-

night Communion is actually Christ-

mas itself, the Christ-Mass. Join us

from 11.15pm for carol singing and

then Holy Communion at Midnight,

finishing at 12.30am. And our 11am

Family Celebration on Christmas Day

is an hour of joy followed by an infor-

mal party. Bring a bottle of cham-

pagne to share and join the fun.

Malmesbury Abbey by candlelight

Sunday 21st December at 6.30pm

Including music by Vivaldi, Lauridsen,

Rachmaninoff, Biebl & Scriven

Admission Free/arrive early

Enquiries 01666 826666 // Box Office 01666 824339

office@malmesburyabbey.com

www.malmesburyabbey.com // issuu.com/malmesburyabbey

The Christmas Story

GARETH DAVIES-JONES The Nine Lessons Tour 5th Dec 7.30pm

£5 (Student £3) Café/Bar etc www.garethdavies-jones.com

Sunday 21st Dec

(Under seven)

at 3pm

Get a free ticket!

For young Children

Nov 30th Advent Sunday, 8am & 10.30am Holy Communion

4pm All-age Communion

6.30pm Advent Carol Service by Candlelight

Dec 5th 7.30pm Acoustic Nine Lessons—Gareth Davies-Jones

Dec 6th 7.30pm Malmesbury Community Choir Concert

Dec 7th 8am & 10.30am Holy Communion

4pm Informal Worship with Junior Church

Dec 12th Malmesbury CE Primary School Christmas Service at 10.30am

6-9pm Late Night Shopping—open for mince pies etc

Dec 13th Malmesbury Singers Concert at 7.30pm

Dec 14th 8am & 10.30am Holy Communion,

4pm Informal Worship with Junior Church

Dec 17th Malmesbury School Carol Service at 7.30pm

Dec 20th The Malmesbury Nativity (4pm & 7pm)

Dec 21st 8am & 10.30am Holy Communion

3pm The Christmas Story for Young Children

6.30pm Service of Nine Lessons & Carols by Candlelight

Dec 23rd The Malmesbury Nativity (4pm)

Christmas Eve The Malmesbury Nativity (4pm & 6pm)

11.30pm Midnight Communion (Carols from 11.15pm)

Christmas Day 8am BCP Holy Communion

9.30am Holy Communion

11am Family Celebration

12 noon Coffee & Champagne (bring a bottle!)

2014 ADVENT & CHRISTMAS DIARY