Lessons and Carols: A Chatham Hall Tradition of Light and Hope

On December 7, 2025, our community gathered in the soft glow of St. Mary’s Chapel for one of Chatham Hall’s most cherished traditions: the annual Service of Lessons and Carols. Rooted in a 19th-century Anglican practice and refined over generations, the service invites us to pause, listen, and journey through the Christmas story as it unfolds in scripture and song.

This year’s service was a beautiful tapestry of student leadership, choral excellence, and meaningful ritual. Our Crucifer, Sacristan, acolytes, greeters, and the voices of St. Mary’s Choir created a reverent atmosphere that welcomed every attendee into the warmth of the season. Under the direction of Mr. John Scott, the choir led carols and offered anthems that filled the chapel with depth, clarity, and grace.

The service began with the lighting of the Advent candles by our Australian exchange students, who are also members of the choir, reminding us of the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love, gifts we are called to share with the world. From there, nine readers, including each class president, faculty, alumnae, and our Rector, Mrs. Sara Stephenson, guided us through the Lessons. Each scripture reading served as a step on the journey: from creation and covenant to prophecy, annunciation, and the birth of Jesus.

As each passage concluded, carols and anthems from St. Mary’s Choir echoed through the chapel, enriching the narrative with the emotional depth only music can provide. The traditional Bidding Prayer and timeless hymn “Once in Royal David’s City” connected our community to the long lineage of Lessons and Carols services celebrated around the world.

One of the most moving moments came at the end of the service. After the choir’s final anthem, acolytes brought the light forward and shared it row by row until the entire chapel flickered with candlelight. In that glow, voices joined together for “Silent Night,” first accompanied by the choir and then acapella, a moment of stillness, unity, and wonder.

From there, the quiet procession to the front steps of Pruden offered a chance to witness our campus illuminated in every window, a reminder of the light we carry with us. Once gathered, the community lifted their candles high and sang “Silent Night” once more, the final notes rising into the December evening.

Special intentions were honored through the poinsettias in the chapel, recognizing beloved advisers, families, and members of our community. Each tribute added to the sense of gratitude and connection woven throughout the night.

Lessons and Carols remains a powerful reminder of the values at the heart of Chatham Hall: reflection, tradition, leadership, and spiritual grounding. As we move through the season, may the lessons we heard and the light we shared continue to guide us, with hope in our hearts, peace in our steps, joy in our community, and love in all we do.