Advent to Christmas 2023

Christmas is one of the great feasts of the Christian year and a very special time of the year for us all. There is a welcome at Llandaff Cathedral for everyone as we celebrate the birth of Jesus in readings, carols and music. The message of love and peace is one the world needs to hear more than ever. The Christmas story reminds us of how God came to us, as one of us and reaches out to us whoever we are, whatever we do. The image of the vulnerable baby in Bethlehem reminds us that God understands what it is to be homeless, hungry, poor and a refugee. Do join us to explore the meaning of Christmas this year in Llandaff.

A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Friday 22^nd & Sunday 24^th December | 4.00pm

Conceived in a make-shift church in Truro, and made famous by King’s College, Cambridge, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols has beeb a Christmas tradition for choirs for over a century. Join us as we explore the Christmas story through readings and music, from the creaton of the world to the birth of the Messiah.

Admission to these services is by reserved ticket only. Both services are fully booked.

Please be seated by 3.45pm

View the Order of Service

Watch on our YouTube Channel

Organ Recital – Olivier Messiaen’s La Nativité

Saturday 23^rd December | 5.30pm

Explore the themes of Christmas through a performance of Olivier Messiaen’s seminal organ cycle, La Nativité du Seigneur.

Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur (The Birth of the Saviour) is arguably one of the most important organ works of the twentieth century. Its devotional nature is remarkably direct, for Messiaen possessed a deep-rooted faith and theological insight which gave a strongly spiritual dimension to all his work.

This work probes deeply into meaning of God-made-man, setting the events of the first Christmas in the contexts both of time and of eternity, the Incarnation, the Ascension, the Holy Trinity, the Saints in glory and the Holy Sacrament. In a series of musical tableaux, the Virgin and Child, the shepherds, the angels, and the Wise Men are depicted. Overall, it was Messiaen’s desire to convey here an unbridled joy at the presence of God in His Son. The music’s constant movement and virtuosity, its rhythmic drive and variety convey this sense of elation.

Performed by Stephen Moore, Director of Music.

Admission Free.