Sunday, December 14

5:00 - 6:00 pm | "Blue" Christmas Service

Christmas holidays are not occasions for joy and cheer for everyone. When living in the midst of grief—the death of a loved one, picking up the pieces after a divorce or separation, coping with job loss, living with illness, or other circumstances that mute our experience of deep joy—holiday festivities seem far removed from what some people are experiencing.

For those folks, we offer a “Blue” Christmas service in Centennial Chapel. This service, within a setting of candlelight and contemplative music, will provide an opportunity for grieving, praying, and healing.

Tuesday, December 16

12:10 - 1:00 pm | Music Live At Lunch: Benjamin Britten’s "A Ceremony of Carols" (Christ Church Cathedral Choir )

The sopranos and altos of the Christ Church Cathedral Choir are joined by harpist Elizabeth Motter to present Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols.

Friday, December 19

7:30 - 9:00 pm | An Italian Christmas

Music director Joe Miller leads Cincinnati’s Vocal Arts Ensemble in a multi-sensory concert experience to celebrate the holidays. Ticket information: vaecinci.com.

Saturday, December 20

2:00 - 3:30 pm | An Italian Christmas

Music director Joe Miller leads Cincinnati’s Vocal Arts Ensemble in a multi-sensory concert experience to celebrate the holidays. Ticket information: vaecinci.com.

Sunday, December 21

4:30 - 5:00 pm | Pre-Service Organ Recital

5:00 - 6:15 pm | A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Based on a beloved service offered at King’s College in Cambridge, England, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols takes an imaginative approach to liturgy, weaving together scripture and song, moving from prophecy to fulfillment, to tell the story of the birth of Jesus.

In addition to carols sung by the congregation, the choir will sing Sir Christèmas (William Mathias), This is the Truth Sent from Above (arr. James Kirkby), The Blessed Son of God (Ralph Vaughan Williams), O Come, Divine Messiah (arr. Howard Helvey), A Tender Shoot (Kerensa Briggs), A Hymn to the Virgin (Benjamin Britten), God Would Be Born in Thee (Judith Bingham), The Shepherd’s Carol (Bob Chilcott), The Three Kings (Peter Cornelius), and Now May We Singen (Cecilia McDowall).

The service is preceded by an organ recital featuring cathedral organist Abraham Wallace. Reception following. The service will also be available via live stream at https://cincinnaticathedral.com/livestream/.

Wednesday, December 24

4:00-5:15 pm | Holy Eucharist

A family-friendly service with a children’s message and a lantern procession.

Music sung by the choir will include:

  • The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy – arr. David Blackwell

    Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen – arr. Donald Cashmore

The Children’s Room will be open during this family-friendly service. The service will also be streamed live.

10:30-11:00 pm | Carols Before the Eucharist

Pre-service congregational and choral carols

Music sung by the choir will include:

  • This Is the Truth Sent from Above – arr. James Kirkby
  • The Angel’s Message – Peter Pindar Stearns
  • Now May We Singen – Cecilia McDowall
  • Sir Christèmas – William Mathias
  • The Shepherd’s Carol – Bob Chilcott
  • Verbum caro factum est – Tamsin Jones

11:00 pm–12:30 am | Holy Eucharist

A festive service with a choral mass setting and incense

Music sung by the choir will include:

  • Missa Brevis – Jonathan Dove
  • In the Bleak Midwinter – Harold Darke
  • While Mary Slept – Helena Paish

 The service will also be streamed live; incense will be used at this service.

Thursday, December 25

10:00-11:00 am | Christmas Day Holy Eucharist

A festive service with music and incense

Music sung by the choir will include:

  • The Holly and the Ivy – arr. H. Walford Davies
  • Love Came Down at Christmas – Joanna Forbes L’Estrange

This service will also be streamed live; incense will be used at this service.