Christ Church celebrated its fifth Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on December 5 with a full congregation in attendance. Members of the Alexandria community participated as readers, and the Cherub, Canterbury, and Christ Church choirs all offered choral music interspersed with hymns augmented by a brass quintet.

A highlight of the service was the premiere of a new hymn commissioned by Christ Church in memory of former choir member Gregory Carmichael. The hymn, by California based composer Ray Urwin, reflects on teh role that Joseph played in the Christmas story. Urwin gave the tune the name Christ Church Alexandria. The hymn will be repeated at services on Christmas Eve.

Special thanks are offered to the dedicated members of the choirs who rehearsed the music for this service for many weeks and to all those who brought food to share at the wonderful reception, hosted by the Stewardship committee, in the Auditorium.

Special thanks are offered to the dedicated members of the choirs who rehearsed for many weeks on the music for this service, and also to all of those who brought food to share at the wonderful reception hosted by the stewardship committee in the Auditorium.

Make plans now to attend next year’s service on December 4, 2011!