Wakefield Cathedral is preparing for Christmas with plenty of opportunities for people of the city and beyond and for those of faith and no faith to come together to prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ.
Volunteer flower arrangers have created the Advent wreath and flowers to decorate the church this season which started with the Advent Carol Service on Sunday December 2 to begin the journey.
On Friday, December 7 at 7pm there is a unique opportunity to hear the cathedral choir and youth choir of its sister cathedral in Skara, Sweden share their Lucia Celebrations with the St Lucia concert. Saint Lucy – the bearer of light - holds a special place in the hearts of Swedish people and this service is traditionally held at the darkest time of the year as we prepare to receive Christ and his light into our hearts this Christmas. The service will start in darkness, the cathedral will gradually be lit by light as the first of the Advent Candles is taken in procession through the church.
On Saturday, December 8, 2.30pm to 5.30pm is the Community Children’s Christmas party in the Treacy Hall with arts, crafts and games and the opportunity to make your own decorations to hang on the 12 ft Christmas tree in the Cathedral or take them home.
On Sunday, December 9, it hosts the Wakefield Hospice Light Up A Life Services at 2pm and again at 5pm- these services are an opportunity to remember those loved ones not here at this special time of year. Tickets for these services must be obtained from Wakefield Hospice.
On Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm it hosts the Mayor’s Civic Carol Service and on Tuesday December 18 at 1pm it’s City Carols - a chance to escape the Christmas shopping and have a short time of peace and reflection with popular readings and Christmas carols.
Friday, December 21 is its popular Carols by Candlelight at 7.30pm. This is a ticketed event and tickets are selling fast. They are available from the office or the Cathedral shop.
There will be the traditional Service of Lessons and Carols telling the story of the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus in nine readings interspersed with carols, hymns and other choral music sung by the Cathedral Choir on Sunday December 23 at 3.30pm.
And on Christmas Eve it hosts Christingle at 4pm with the opportunity for you to be part of the nativity story – come dressed as your favourite character.
Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines will be at the Cathedral for Midnight Mass at 11pm on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day will see two Eucharist Services one at 9.15am and at 11am to celebrate the birth of Christ.