Thomian Carol Service – The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, 2024

A Sacred Celebration of Advent and Tradition: On the evening of November 30th, 2024, the All Saints Anglican Church in North Parramatta resonated with the sacred harmonies of the Sixteenth Thomian Carol Service, hosted by the S. Thomas’ College Old Boys’ Association of NSW/ACT. A beautiful convergence of faith, tradition, and music, the event upheld the timeless legacy of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, a cherished tradition dating back to 1947 at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia.

A Legacy Rooted in Faith: The origins of this service trace to Father Roy Henry Bowyer-Yin, an alumnus of King’s College, Cambridge, who introduced the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols to S. Thomas’ College. Inspired by Anglican traditions, the service is a profound synthesis of Scripture and song, capturing the essence of Adventus Domini, awaiting the coming of the Lord. Kumar Rasiah, in his welcoming remarks, highlighted the enduring significance of this festival, noting its place within the rich Thomian heritage. 

A Journey Through Scripture and Song: The service began with the traditional processional hymn, Once in Royal David’s City, as Naomi and Nimeka’s harmonious duet ushered in a spirit of reverence. The congregation, their voices united, embraced the solemnity and joy of worship. Guided by the majestic tones of the organ, the service transitioned seamlessly through nine Scriptural lessons, tracing salvation history from the ‘Fall’ in Genesis to the ‘Word made flesh’ in John’s Gospel. The Bidding Prayer, in the words of Dean Eric Milner-White, called upon the congregation to “pray for all Christian people, that by this festival they may be renewed in the joy of the Incarnation.”

Key moments included Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah read in Sinhala, and the angel Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary, delivered in Tamil, underscoring the universality of Christ’s message. Each reading was complemented by carols performed with grace by the 29-strong choir, who delivered a repertoire that included:

• Wake, O Wake (J.S. Bach)

• Love Came Down at Christmas (John Rutter)

• Here is the Little Door (Herbert Howells)

• The Crown of Roses (Tchaikovsky)

The congregation joined in jubilant renditions of beloved hymns like Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, creating an atmosphere of communal worship.

The Thomian Choir, A Symphony of Harmony and Dedication: Central to the Thomian Carol Service 2024 was the extraordinary performance of the choir, whose harmonious singing elevated the evening from a celebration of tradition to a profound spiritual experience. This remarkable achievement was a testament to the inspired leadership and unwavering commitment of David Sansoni, the Choir Master. His vision and dedication have been a cornerstone of the choir’s success, shaping them into a unified ensemble capable of delivering music that transcends mere performance to touch the soul.

Supporting this sublime artistry was Nicholas Morley, the accomplished accompanist on the organ. His exquisite touch added layers of depth and beauty to every carol, making each note a vessel of grace that resonated throughout the church. Together, David and Nicholas brought out the best in the choir, creating a synergy of sound that was both heavenly and heartfelt.

To the Choristers, their dedication, unity, and heartfelt singing made the service a moment of profound meaning and inspiration. Each carol, from the poignant strains of The Crown of Roses to the jubilant Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, reflected not only your talent but your collective devotion to the spirit of the season.

In this sacred setting, the choir’s performance became more than music—it became worship, embodying the words of St. Augustine: “Qui bene cantat bis orat” (“He who sings well prays twice”). Through their voices, the Thomian Carol Service became a timeless act of praise and thanksgiving, leaving an indelible mark on all who attended.

May this harmony of voices continue to inspire, uplift, and echo the enduring spirit of the Thomian tradition for generations to come.

The service continued unannounced with the Nine Lessons read by representatives of schools closely associated with S. Thomas’ College, most coming under the board of governance of CMS. The Bible Lessons were read by Luckshila Chelliah – Chundikuli Girls College Jaffna, Caryl Vellupillai – Bishops College, Shalini Gomes – Ladies College Colombo, Prashanthi Wijesinghe – St Paul’s Milagiriya, Charles Singham  – St Johns College Jaffna, Kesara Jayasuriya – Royal College Colombo, Dilip Kumar – Trinity College Kandy, Hemal Wickramasinghe – S. Thomas’ College Mt Lavinia and President of STCOBANSW/ACT. 

A Message of Hope and Grace: Rev. Steve Young, Senior Minister of Anglican Churches of Springwood, delivered an inspiring message drawn from John 1:1-18. Emphasizing the mystery and grace of the Incarnation, Rev. Young posed a poignant challenge: “Are you in God’s company?” He reflected on the transformative power of Jesus’ life and ministry, calling the congregation to step into God’s embrace and accept the grace offered through Christ’s sacrifice. His sermon captured the essence of Advent—awaiting the light of Christ to dispel the world’s darkness.

Rev. Young’s reflections intertwined personal anecdotes with profound theological insights, reminding the audience of the joy and responsibility of being called children of God. His message concluded with an invitation to embrace God’s grace, a fitting prelude to the festival’s culmination.

A Triumphant Conclusion: The festival ended in a majestic celebration as the congregation sang O Come, All Ye Faithful, accompanied by the thunderous organ and the choir’s soaring descant on Sing Choirs of Angels. The recessional left attendees in awe, carrying forward the evening’s spirit of unity, hope, and worship.

A Living Tradition : The Thomian Carol Service is more than an event—it is a living tradition that connects generations and cultures in proclaiming the eternal truth of Christ’s coming. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith, music, and community. As Rev. Young aptly concluded, “This festival reminds us not only of our shared past but also of the greater company we are invited to join—the eternal fellowship with God through His Son.”

All were invited:  to a time of fellowship that most guests look forward to, gathered in the adjoining Ministry Hall for a relaxed time of connecting and a ‘chit chat’ over refreshments. We hope the congregation were filled with a memorable night, being restored and reminded of the true meaning and the spirit of Christmas, heralded by a service of worship that inspires. 

The Thomian Carol Service 2025, the XVIIth, will be held on Saturday 29th November 2025. 

Esto perpetua. May this sacred tradition continue to illuminate and inspire for years to come.