Advent & Christmas
If it happened here
as it happened there . . .
If it happened now
as it happened then . . .
Who would have seen the miracle?
Who would have brought gifts?
Who would have taken them in?
- William Kurelek, A Northern Nativity
This Christmas, find comfort and joy at St George's Cathedral. Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your faith journey, you are most welcome to join us. We would love to see you.
We believe that you cannot truly celebrate Christmas without the anticipation of Advent. All are welcome to join us on Sunday's at 8am or 10:30am as we prepare for the birth of Christ together in community. The 10:30 services feature music from the Cathedral Choir and are livestreamed on the Cathedral's Youtube channel.
Service details and leaflets will be posted as they become available.
Advent I: HOPE
Sunday, December 1
The Very Rev. Douglas Michael, preacher
The Rev. Canon Peter Case, presider
Advent II: PEACE
Sunday, December 8
Eric Friesen, preacher
The Ven. Bob Hales, presider
Advent III: JOY
Sunday, December 15
The Very Rev. Douglas Michael, preacher
The Ven. John Robertson, presider
Advent IV: LOVE
Sunday, December 22
Advent Procession with Carols
Sunday, December 1 – 7:00pm
Thou shalt know Him when he comes not by any din of drums,
Nor his manners nor his airs, nor by anything he wears.
As we prepare for the birth of Christ at Christmas, we begin the Advent Season with this service travelling from darkness into light. The Cathedral Choir carries the light – and message – gradually into the Cathedral. Let the choral music, congregational hymns, and readings from Holy Scripture propel you quietly toward the true joy of Christmas.
Light in the Dark with Melos
Friday, December 13 – 7:30pm | Ticketed event
In this season of darkness, immerse yourself in contemplative music celebrating the return of light, love and hope, performed by Melos Choir & Period Instruments. Includes Advent chants; traditional Arabic and Hebrew songs of the Levant; Persian love songs for Yalda; Early Christmas music from England to Armenia by Gibbons, Lassus, Schein, Bach and Arakelian.
Tickets are available by clicking here.
Advent Choral Evensong
Wednesday, December 18 – 7:00pm
Conclude your day with this service of sung evening prayer offered by the Cathedral Choir. This blend of Psalms, prayers and hymns showcases the best of our Anglican choral tradition. Available online.
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Saturday, Dec. 21 – 3pm | Sunday, Dec. 22 – 7pm
In one of the most beautiful services of the year, we hear the nativity re-told through readings, choral music, and rousing congregational carols. Music spanning generations leads us closer to the great mystery of the incarnation. The services are identical. The Sunday evening service is livestreamed.
Download the service leaflet
He came down to earth from heaven
who is God and Lord of all,
and His shelter was a stable,
and His cradle was a stall:
with the poor, and meek, and lowly,
lived on earth our Savior holy.
Once in Royal David's City, Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
12:15pm | Holy Eucharist
A simple, spoken service of Holy Eucharist held in the Lady Chapel using traditional language from the Book of Common Prayer.
The Rev. Gerry Moore, presider
4:00pm | Christingle Christmas Eve with Impromptu Nativity
A relaxed and child-centred service, including an impromptu nativity play and joyous congregational carols, this service is the perfect way to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit. This service includes communion, to which all baptized Christians are welcomed. Available online.
The Very Rev. Douglas Michael, preacher & presider
Download the service leaflet
7:00pm | Holy Eucharist
We celebrate the Nativity of our Lord with this joyous service of Holy Eucharist using contemporary language from the Book of Alternative Services. All baptized Christians are invited to receive communion. Available online.
The Right Rev. William Cliff, presider
The Very Rev. Douglas Michael, preacher
Download the service leaflet
9:30pm | Festival Holy Eucharist
Gather in the candlelit nave for this intimate, late-night service with readings, choral music, and congregational hymns using traditional text from the Book of Common Prayer. Incense will be used. All baptized Christians are invited to receive communion. Available online.
The Right Rev. William Cliff, preacher
The Very Rev. Douglas Michael, presider
Download the service leaflet
10:00am | Holy Eucharist with Carols
Christians, awake, salute the happy morn! Join us on Christmas Morning for a short but celebratory service of Holy Eucharist with a brief homily and congregational carols, using traditional language from the Book of Common Prayer. All baptized Christians are invited to recieve communion. This service is available in-person only.
The Right Rev. William Cliff, preacher & presider
Download the service leaflet
Top Cover Photo Credit:
“Two Barns” from A NORTHERN NATIVITY by William Kurelek, Copyright 1973 William Kurelek. Reprinted by permission of Tundra Books, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. All rights reserved.
Support the Cathedral this Christmas!
The mission and ministry of this Cathedral relies on the support of people like you. In this season of giving, if you are able, please consider supporting the Cathedral. Thank you.
To honour a loved one this Christmas with flowers in the nave, please get in touch with the office (office@stgeorgescathedral.ca).