In the spirit of the holiday season, the Guild of Sacred Heart Cultural Center will present the 36th annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Gathering together, hand-in-hand, event attendees are invited to enjoy a traditional Christmas program that originated at the King’s College Chapel in Cambridge University, England.
Taking place downtown at 1301 Greene St., the night will feature various leaders from the community as readers and choirs from Trinity on the Hill, directed by Kevin Pollock.
“It is a classical retelling of the Christmas story with reading and choral music,” said Sacred Heart Cultural Center’s Executive Director Millie Huff. “It’s one of the most sacred things we do here because it truly is a worship service.”
Respecting the building’s religious history as a centuries-old former Catholic church, Huff said this event allowed Sacred Heart to pay homage to its original faith-based roots while promoting its new purpose with artistic entertainment of the musical persuasion.
Huff said the “nine lessons” will be communicated to attendees through different scripture readings and carol performances.
“It was created so that the Christmas story could be told in a more understandable way,” she said. “This year we’re also honoring our media friends by having several of them read different passages.”
Local media professionals and personalities reading in the event will include: Charmain Brackett, Brad Means, Mary Liz Nolan, Cleve Walker and more.
“It’s really such a reverent time,” said Huff. “To hear the music and see the 94 stained glass windows in the hall be described and illustrated by the reading is really just a beautiful way to put your focus on the meaning behind Christmas.”
Tickets are $25 each and are available for purchase by calling 706-826-4700 or visiting https://sacred-heart-cultural-center.ticketleap.com/festival-of-nine-lessons-and-carols-2023/dates/Dec-05-2023_at_0730PM
“We have many folks who have attended year after year and it’s the way a lot of these families kickoff the Christmas spirit for themselves,” said Huff.
