Advent and Christmas
A Season of Light
A season of light and hope in the midst of darkness, Advent and Christmas are amongst the holiest times of the Christian calendar. Come experience traditions old and new at Great St Mary's, as we celebrate anew the coming of the Christ child.
Due to Covid restrictions, our seating capacity is more limited this year. This means that many of our services will be ticketed. Worship service tickets are always free, and we'll always keep some seats available for walk-ins and those without internet access.
Carols, Concerts, and Services
Join us also on Sundays at 8am (BCP Holy Communion), 10am (Choral Eucharist), and 4pm (Choral Evensong), as well as Morning Prayer weekdays at 9am, Holy Communion on Wednesdays at 12.30pm, and Midweek Choral Evensong on alternate Wednesdays & Thursdays. Many of our services services are livestreamed to youtube.com/c/greatstmarys
The Infant: A Jazz Suite for Advent & Christmas
1pm, 27 November. A ticketed concert of live jazz, based on the characters in Luke’s Christmas story. Tickets available at this link.
Advent Carols by Candlelight
4pm, 28 November. A service of music and scripture, as we enter the holy season of Advent. Tickets not required.
Blue Christmas
4pm, 5 December in Michaelhouse. A contemplative service of music and prayer for all who find the holidays not so happy.
Academy of Great St Mary's Christmas Concert
7.30pm, 5 December with seasonal orchestral and choral music, under the direction of Adam Pounds. Tickets available at this link, and at the Great St Mary's gift shop.
University Staff Carol Service
4pm, 10 December with the Lucy Cavendish Singers. This service is ticketed, and open to all staff at the University of Cambridge. Tickets at this link.
Carols by Candlelight
4pm & 6.30pm, 19 & 20 December. A candlelit service of traditional Christmas carols and Bible readings. Tickets at gsmcarols2021.eventbrite.co.uk
Christmas Eve
4pm Crib Service. A ticketed service for young people and their families, and the young at heart. Children are encouraged to wear nativity fancy dress — shepherd, angels, magi, and more! This service will not be livestreamed. Tickets at xmascrib21.eventbrite.co.uk
11.30pm First Eucharist of Christmas. Also known as 'Midnight Mass', this choral service is a beautiful celebration of the holy night when Christ was born. Tickets at xmaseve2021.eventbrite.co.uk
Christmas Day
8am BCP Holy Communion (not ticketed)
10am Choral Eucharist Tickets at xmas21.eventbrite.co.uk. This service will be livestreamed to youtube.com/c/greatstmarys.
11.30am Sung Mattins Tickets at xmas21.eventbrite.co.uk
St Stephen's Day (Sunday 26 December)
8am BCP Holy Communion
10am The Eucharist
There will be no Evensong this week
The church will be closed on 27 & 28 December, and Morning Prayer will be online only for those two days.
Second Sunday of Christmas (Sunday 2 January)
8am BCP Holy Communion
10am The Eucharist
There will be no Evensong this week
Feast of the Epiphany (Thursday 6 January)
9am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Communion
5.15pm Choral Evensong for Epiphany