St John’s College presents the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, telling the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus in nine Bible readings with the singing of Christmas carols, hymns and choir anthems.
In the early 1920s, it is recorded in The Johannian that the whole school attended a Sung Eucharist at the Cathedral of St Mary The Virgin, making an impressive show of numbers. In 2003, the tradition was resurrected and the St John's College Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols has been held at St Mary’s Cathedral ever since. Unfortunately, due to this extraordinary year, we have been unable to continue with this tradition in 2020, and so present the first digital Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by the Prep and College.
St John's Prep presents the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
St John's College presents the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
The music includes past performances directed by Dr Ben Oosthuizen and Mr Sidumo Nyamezele and accompanied by Mr Cameron Upchurch on the organ and the College brass ensemble. The Revd Dr Jeremy Jacobs and Revd Thapelo Masemola conduct the service with meaningful readings from the boys of the College and Prep.
We wish our St John's Community a very Merry Christmas, filled with peace, love, hope and joy.