Advent and Christmas at St John the Divine
Here are our special services and concerts leading to Christmas 2023.
The Advent Sequence
The 1st Sunday of Advent, December 3 – 7:00 p.m.
A transfixing sequence of readings, hymns, and choral music, exploring the themes of Advent – lightness and darkness, endings and beginnings, hope and justice. Sung by the Choristers of St. John the Divine.
The Messiah
Sunday, December 10 - 2:30pm
A staple of the concert repertoire since its composition in 1741, but seldom heard with the intimacy of a smaller choir and the Baroque instruments for which it was written. This will be the first Historically Informed performance in Victoria, a collaboration between Victoria Baroque, Vox Humana, and St. John's, with soloists Jennifer Turner, Emma Parkinson, Ben Butterfield, and Nathan McDonald. Tickets through victoria-baroque.com or at the door: $37 general; $10 student/youth; under 12 free.
Lessons and Carols for Christmas
The 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 17 - 7:00 p.m.
The traditional service of lessons and carols for Christmas, as popularized by King’s College Cambridge: carols new and old sung by the Choristers of St. John the Divine, and favourites for all to sing.
Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24
All-Age Celebration of the Christmas Story 4:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family and rejoice at the birth of Christ. Children, especially, are invited to participate in the telling of the Christmas story in word and song.
Midnight Mass 10:30 p.m
The festive Christmas service, with Holy Communion, traditional carols and candlelight.
The Choristers of S.t. John the Divine and the Sermon by The Venerable Alastair Singh-McCollum
Christmas Day Monday, December 25 10:00 a.m.