Readings and Carols 2016

All the Cathedral's choirs joined in the service this year: the Schola Cantorum, Jubilate! Young Women's Ensemble, the Women of St. James Schola, and the Cathedral Choir of St. James.

"Your cradle shines with glory's light; its splendor pierces all our gloom.
Our faith reflects those radiant beams; no night shall overcome it now."
(Veni Redemptor Gentium)

The entrance procession

All the choirs, under the direction of Dr. Paul Thornock, join in Dirksen's amazing setting of a text by Richard Crashaw: "Welcome, all wonders in one sight! Eternity shut in a span!
Summer in winter! Day in night! Heaven in earth! and God in man!"

Our wonderful youth readers proclaim the scriptures, from Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden to stories of the coming of Christ from the Gospels. Father Ryan proclaims the ninth and last reading, which is the great prologue to the Gospel of John: "The word became flesh, and dwelt among us."

The service ends with the singing of "Silent Night" by candlelight.

The Cathedral was full to overflowing for this wonderful Advent prayer.

"Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth."

"O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!"

804 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
Phone 206.622.3559 Fax 206.622.5303