A Festival Of Nine Lessons and Carols, BBC Radio 4, 3pm Christmas Eve.

[IndigoSpritz]

Don't forget this is on this afternoon. It might be a bit of a stress-buster for those of you who are finding the going a little tough just now.

It's my favourite bit of Christmas Eve!!! Nice bit of peace and quiet with a mince pie and a cup of tea. Always get a bit teary when I hear Once In Royal David's City.

I love it, but will miss it this year as I'm taking DS to a Christingle service. Might catch the TV one later though.

I went to the Christmas eve service there one year, as a first aid volunteer. Absolutely breathtaking.

I always record it and watch while wrapping the last presents after DC in bed. I love it.

This signifies the beginning of Christmas for me.
OH loves it too, now the children are older we try to curl up in the snug together with a drink and a book/ quiet thing to do & listen.

The children think we're wrapping presents so don't disturb us!

Started. Enjoy it.

I adore it. It really is the beginning of Christmas for me. Once in royal David’s City is just magical and often bring a tear. (I ‘may’ be blubbing a bit right now!)

Yup - one of the best things about Christmas.

Radio on. Bread in the oven. Glass of port in front of me ...

I liked the carol that they sung at about 3.45. Very different with an African-Spiritual feel.

Pretty much my only Christmas tradition is an hour or two alone in the kitchen making mince pies and listening to the carols on R4. That’s the moment Christmas really begins.

Is this the one repeated on the telly, BBC2, at 17:50?

I've been listening to the lead-up to it this year on R3/BBC2 – I'd had no idea it was started in 1918 as a memorial to those killed in the Great War.

Or rather, for the benefit of those left behind.

”Is this the one repeated on the telly, BBC2, at 17:50?”

The telly version was filmed a couple of weeks ago I think.

@flowery - yes, the TV one is filmed in early December and often has slightly different readings/music. The radio one on Christmas eve goes out live and follows the traditional 9LAC readings.

Am now enjoying the TV one.

It was lovely. Now watching the TV version.

It was glorious. I heard on the news at lunchtime that it was Stephen Cleobury's last one as he retires next year after 37 years in the post of Director of Music. He read one of the lessons, apparently, but I didn't know that at the time or I'd have paid more attention.

I was at work today so missed the radio one - enjoying it on TV though. The German Silent Night was spine-tingling.