Advent wreath to herald Christmas at York Minster (From York Press)

Advent wreath to herald Christmas at York Minster

9:45am Wednesday 25th November 2009 in

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York Minster will continue its countdown to Christmas by hosting its annual Advent procession this weekend.

The Dean and Chapter are welcoming all to celebrate the procession, which will take place in the cathedral’s Nave on Sunday, at 6.30pm. The event is free to attend.

The Cathedral’s Advent wreath, decorated each year with evergreen foliage, will be put in place underneath the Central Tower and five candles will be placed on the wreath, each one representing a different part of the Christian story.

There will also be a procession in candlelight and a service of special readings and music.

The Church year begins on Advent Sunday, which is always four Sundays before Christmas Day.

Advent, which means “coming” or “arrival”, points ahead to the birth of Jesus celebrated at Christmas while looking forward to his second coming at the end of time, has been celebrated for more 2,000 years.

The festive celebrations will continue on Saturday, December 5, when York Musical Society will perform Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in the Minster’s Nave, conducted by Philip Moore, the former master of music at York Minster.

The Chapter House Choir’s three nights of Carols By Candlelight will take place in the Minster’s Chapter House, on December 17, 18 and 19, from 8pm. Tickets go on sale on Saturday, December 5, in Church House in Ogleforth. They are limited to four per applicant because of the limited capacity of the Chapter House and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Two traditional Nine Lessons And Carols services will be held this year.

The first will be held on the Tuesday, December 22, at 7pm, and the second at 4pm on Christmas Eve. They include a variety of traditional Christmas carols.

Midnight Mass will be celebrated at 11.30am on Christmas Eve and will last just over an hour.

On Christmas Day, there will be Holy Communion at 8am in the Quire, sung Eucharist at 10am in the Nave, Matins at 11.45am, in the Quire and Evensong at 4pm in the Quire.

For more information about concerts at York Minster or to book tickets, visit boxoffice.yorkminster.org For more information about Christmas services at York Minster, visit yorkminster.org