St Paul’s Cathedral has unveiled its plans for Advent and Christmas, inviting people from Melbourne and beyond to come together in celebration, responding to the theme of: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it’ John 1: 5
Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s year and is a season of reflection, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day. This year’s Advent Sermon Series will focus on the theme of Light.
Whilst in the northern hemisphere each week of Advent heads into shorter and shorter days, in Australia we head to longer days and more intense light. So we are embracing that in the celebration of God’s light coming into the world and will trace ‘light’ as a theme through the scriptures.
The Sunday themes follow through God creating light, Israel as the light to the nations, Jesus the light of the world, and God will be their light in the new Jerusalem. This will be picked up in the prayers as we light the Advent Candles each week, and also in our Bible readings and music.
The Ven. Canon Heather Patacca, Precentor & Archdeacon of Melbourne
Our Advent Sermon Series will be complemented by weekly Bible Studies on the Book of Ruth which will be held each Sunday at 11.15am as well as reflections from the Cathedral Clergy, available to engage with on our website and social media.
On top of our regular services, we are pleased that this year will see the return of our popular Advent and Christmas Lessons & Carols Services, beginning with the Advent Carols Service on Sunday 28 November at 4.00pm.
Advent & Christmas Services
Advent Carols Service
- Sunday 28 November | 4.00pm
Christmas Lessons & Carols Services
- Sunday 12 December | 4.00pm
- Friday 24 December | 6.00pm
Christmas Eve Services (Friday 24 December)
- 6.00pm Service of Lessons & Carols
- 8.00pm Mandarin Christmas Carols Service
- 10.00pm First Eucharist of Christmas
Christmas Day Services (Saturday 25 December)
- 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) with Carols
- 10.00am Choral Eucharist
Bookings are not required for services. However, in line with COVID-19 requirements, proof of double vaccination will be required for entry to all services and events. Click here to read our COVID-19 Information here.
Many of our Advent and Christmas services will be available to watch live on the Cathedral website and via our social media channels. Click here to access our Online Worship Page.
We are pleased again to partner with Channel 31 to broadcast our Christmas Lessons & Carols Service on Christmas Eve at 6.00pm.
Christmas Concerts
We are delighted to welcome back two Melbourne based choirs to celebrate the music of Christmas in concert here at the Cathedral.
Celebrate Christmas with Victoria Chorale, which will be held on at 5pm on Saturday 11 December – tickets and information are available here.
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic will offer four concerts of their popular Carols in the Cathedral across Friday 17 and Saturday 18 December – tickets and information are available here.