The Fourth Sunday of Advent

18 dicembre 2016, domenica

Morning
The last Sunday of Advent, so surprise to me in this morning.
The pianist absent in the Service;
Just only one chorist stay for practice after Service, most of others are absent without ask for leave.

Afternoon
I go to attend my friend's wedding ceremony.
The place is holding at University Chapel. There is a lovely place. A moment of the groom uncover the bridal veil, the best man and the bridesmaid will open the back of the Cross curtains then let sunlight shine in the chapel.
Maylyn and Peter, congratulations. May God's love be with both of you always.

Night
After the wedding ceremony, I hurry up go to attend a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at St. John Cathedral. This is a very far away from University at New Territories to Hong Kong Island. There is almost full house and just started the Service while I arrive.
I'm so shame of my bad cough disturb the service. But God takes care of me, HE arrange two angels sit by my side and help me cool down.
After the Service, Cathedral set up a mini reception at the garden and let everyone have a gathering.

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is an important service in Anglican churches of Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus that is traditionally followed at Christmas.

The service was created and performed in 1880 by Edward White Benson, who was the then newly appointed Bishop of Truro, Cornwall (later became the Archbishop of Canterbury).

A service of Nine Lessons and Carols has nine Bible readings (or lessons) from Genesis, the prophetic books and the Gospels that tell the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols hymns and choir music. The order of the lessons was revised in 1919, and since that time the service has always begun with the hymn "Once in Royal David's City". The first verse is sung unaccompanied by a solo boy chorister.
(Quoted sources: 1. Wikipedia; 2. whychristmas website)