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Christmas Worship at York Minster
Published Wednesday 20th December 2006 by Alix Peacock
York Minster will be holding its usual full programme of services for all to celebrate again the birth of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The countdown to Christmas begins at 12 noon on Christmas Eve with the ever popular Crib Service aimed particularly at children of all ages, both young in years and young in heart.
Children are encouraged to come dressed as shepherds or angels, and then make up a 'living crib'. Many children bring presents to the service, which are then placed in the Crib. After Christmas, these gifts are donated to charities and given to less fortunate children in York and North Yorkshire. This year the charities that will benefit from the donation of these gifts are Home Start, The Salvation Army, The Centre for Separated Families, York Women’s Refuge and HMP Wetherby Young Offender Institution - Visits Hall. The charities especially welcome art and craft materials such as crayons, felt pens and coloured paper along with games and toys suitable for under five year olds. But any gift is most gratefully received.
Later on Christmas Eve at 16.00 is the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. Due to its popularity, this service is also being held at 19.00 on the preceding Friday 22nd December.
The climax of all the preparations during the past month is the Midnight Eucharist on Christmas Eve at 23.30 to again rejoice at the First Christmas and all that has meant and still means for the world.
On Christmas morning, the services follow the pattern usually for a Sunday, with 10.00 Sung Eucharist, at which the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu will preach, and 11.30 Choral Matins, at which the Dean of York, the Very Revd Keith Jones, will preach. At 16.00, the Minster Choir will sing Evensong.
The Dean and Chapter hope that this very full programme of services will afford everyone the opportunity to start the Christmas festivities with an act of worship.