Groton Sings, Celebrates 89th Lessons & Carols Service

It was the school's eighty-ninth year celebrating with the Service of Nine Lessons & Carols; the tradition, which originated in England, began at Groton in 1928. Year after year after year, the service is beautiful and moving, spiritual and uplifting. The December 14 service, the last of three, drew Groton’s students, faculty, and staff to St. John's Chapel. Participants joined from around the world as well, thanks to a livestream that allows parents to share their children's experience from afar and alumni to relive their own Groton Christmas memories. Seven hundred fifty-seven viewers tuned in from at least ten countries, including China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The first Lessons and Carols service this year, on December 8, was open to the public; over the years, that service has become a festive opportunity for the school to welcome our neighbors in the town of Groton. The second service, December 10, attracted parents and alumni to St. John's Chapel. Every service featured hymns and prayer, ethereal carols, and the joy of gathering as a community.

 

During the services, Groton's Choir, under the guidance of Choirmaster and Organist Daniel Moriarty, sang traditional hymns and carols, while honorees, including several students, shared the nine religious readings—the lessons. At the December 8 service, readers included Kimberley Dee of Nashoba Park Assisted Living in Groton; the Reverend Susan Gaeta, pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Groton; and Lawrence Academy Head of School R. Daniel Scheibe. Former Headmaster Bill Polk read a lesson at the December 10 and December 14 services, and Headmaster Temba Maqubela read the final lesson during each service. 

The Reverend Christopher Whiteman, the school chaplain, presided at each service, which began after a prelude by the Groton School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Tim Terranella.

 

The final Lessons & Carols service—the day before the start of Christmas vacation—always has an extra dose of excitement in the air. As students leave campus to join their families and friends, Groton School sends warm holiday wishes to all!