Advent & Christmas
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
Advent II: PEACE
Sunday, December 8
Advent III: JOY
Sunday, December 15
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.
This service is streamed online.
Advent Choral Evensong
Wednesday, December 4 – 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.
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.
Brad Barbeau, director of music
Alexander Straus-Fausto, organist
The Cathedral Choir & Choristers
“O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
o come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!”
O Little Town of Bethlehem, Phillip Brooks (1835-1893)
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
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 does not include communion. Available online.
The Very Rev. Douglas Michael, presider
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
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, presider
The Very Rev. Douglas Michael, preacher
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
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).