Cathedral

... and so to our traditional Christmas Eve.

Here is the chapel of my college, which is also the Cathedral of Oxford. It's a magnificent building, which on Christmas Eve presents the service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Our cathedral choir, which plays a central rôle on this occasion, possesses the highest order of musicianship. It is one of the outstanding choirs of the world, perhaps the very top according to some, and certainly within the top two or three. Listening to this choir at the pinnacle of musical achievement is a wonderful experience. The outside light fades as evening approaches, flickering candlelight lights the faces of the choir, and the lessons and carols progress to their conclusion.

Of course, I could not take photographs during the service itself. This one is from moments before the choir start singing the introductory carol: they are already assembled outside the west door. Even here, I had to rely on a hand-held long exposure, but I hope that my hand was steady enough to give some impression of the atmosphere.

And, continuing the tradition afterwards, we made our way to the Deanery for mulled wine and mince pies to which we were kindly invited by the Dean and his wife, and where we spoke to the previous Dean's cat, which has remained in residence here. (Of course, yet another previous Dean owned the Cheshire Cat of the Alice stories.)

This service is very popular, and considerable queues develop for the public places. This year, those queuing were entertained by a group of very able hand-bell ringers. I think that, in the end, most of those queuing got in: I am told that there were thousands present.

After a Christian farewell from the Bishop, we are home again to our secular and Pagan rituals! It's nearly 10pm, and that suggests time for some food and some merrymaking.

Happy Christmas everyone!