Dozens open Christmas season at St. Columba festival
YOUNGSTOWN — Preparation for the Christmas season at St. Columba Cathedral over the weekend took on a much different meaning than hitting the stores, looking for bargains and waiting in long checkout lines.
Dozens of church members and the faithful gathered at the church Sunday to sing hymns and read Scriptures in celebration of the Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols.
The Rev. John E. Keehner said the annual event is more than the traditional Christmas play or concert.
“This is an Advent service of lessons and carols, a service that began in England in the middle of the last century to remind us why we celebrate Advent,” said Rev. Keehner.
The Advent is the season of the Christian church, during which there is a period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus.
According to Rev. Keehner, the St. Columba congregation has been celebrating The Festival of Lessons and Carols for the last 15 years and looks forward to it every year. Old and young church members alike taking part in the festivities.
The festival has a long-practiced format for a Christian worship celebrating the birth of Jesus. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus is told in nine short Bible readings, interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols and hymns.
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