In an exclusive webcast, GMN presents a special of service of Nine Lessons and Carols, recorded in 1999 at Christ Church, Oxford with the cathedral choir and GMN artist David Goode, the cathedral's sub-organist. The Nine Lessons and Carols service dates back to 1880 when it was first thought up by Bishop Benson to be performed at Truro Cathedral, Cornwall. In 1918 Eric Milner-White the then dean of Kings' College, Cambridge re-vamped the service and it has remained unchanged since then. This year GMN exclusively features the Lessons and Carols from Christ Church, Oxford which has the unique distinction of being both a college and a cathedral with a tradition of sung liturgy and prayer stretching back 800 years.

The Service

Choir - Our father whose creative Will: Auden/Britten Congregation - Of the Father's heart begotten Bidding Prayer • 1st lesson Choir - This is the truth: Vaughan Williams Remember o thou man: Oldham • 2nd lesson Congregation - Wake, O wake... • 3rd lesson Choir - Out of your sleep: R. Rodney Bennett • 4th lesson Choir - In dulci jubilo: Pearsall Congregation - Once in Royal David's City • 5th lesson Choir - There is no rose: Whalley Congregation - O little town of Bethlehem • 6th lesson Choir - O sleep thou heav'n born treasure: Macpherson In the bleak midwinter: Darke • 7th lesson Congregation - Hark the herald... Choir - As I outrode this endris night: Hendrie • 8th lesson Choir - The three Kings: Cornelius • 9th lesson Congregation - O come all ye faithful General thanksgiving and final prayers Organ music

Organist and GMN artist David Goode is playing during the service - he has been Sub-Organist at Christ Church since 1996. Simon Preston, who also features on GMN, has a Christ Church connection too - he was organist there from 1970-1981. (Read about the organ at Christ Church.) In this service, the director of music for the service is Stephen Darlington, and the carols are performed by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir. Christ Church, Oxford has the unique distinction of being both a college and a cathedral with a tradition of sung liturgy and prayer stretching back 800 years. The choir tours the States and Japan as well as European venues, and has also had a very successful recording career - which has included recording Howard Goodall's TV themes for Mr. Bean and The Vicar of Dibley.