2014 advent & christmas at the abbey
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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
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