I don’t always agree with the Prayer Book Society but I am pleased to see that it is making a call for us all to hold off from celebrating Christmas until 24 December.
This year has been the worst I can recall for finding shops and high streets decorated for Christmas in mid November. It is interesting to hear from American visitors that you don’t see lots of decorations in New York until after Thanksgiving which falls on the last Thursday in December.
Next Sunday is Advent Sunday when many churches have Advent carol services.
All Saints Margaret Street, which always keeps the seasons so well, has its Advent Carol Service with the choir at 6pm.
Southwark Cathedral‘s candelit Advent Procession with the theme of the Advent Crown is at 6.30pm.
In West London the lovely St Michael’s Bedford Park has a reflective Advent Carol Service featuring music, scripture and poetry at 6.30pm
I recall enjoying the singing in the round and dark Temple Church one Advent Sunday evening but this year its Service of Carols for Advent is being held as late as St Nicholas Day, Monday 6 December, at 6pm. The reason is that it was to have been on Monday 29 but has been further postponed to the 6th due to a possible Underground strike.
Some more Advent Carol servces to mention on Sunday 2 December:
St Paul’s Cathedral, 6pm Advent procession,
St Brides and their splendid choir Advent Carols by candlelight -6.30pm
St Pancras, 6pm
St Giles-in-the-Fields, 6.30pm
St Martin-in-theFields, 6.30pm
Both St Martin’s and St Paul’s are usually packed out – best to get there early.
St Barts, I hope will be doing theirs the following Sunday (9th) at 6.30pm