The Cathedral of Christ the King will present its choirs in the 18th annual presentation of “Advent Lessons and Carols.” This year this seasonal event, a Cathedral tradition, will move to a new date and time, on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m.

This melodious event will gather together eight of the Cathedral’s musical ensembles, including the boys and girls choirs and four of the parish’s adult choirs. These groups will accompany in song the dramatic readings that prophesy and prepare the way of the Lord.

Advent Lessons and Carols, sung in churches all over the world since the late 1800s, is a program illuminated only by candlelight and the music of the season. This hour-long service might be better described as an extended Liturgy of the Word with dramatic processions of light, ministers and music.

The music for the service offers illumination to the ancient texts and spans over 11 centuries of holiday song from all over the world.

Kevin Culver, choirmaster at the Cathedral, said that the “music is uniquely able to bridge century, locale and tradition in enlightening the sacred mysteries and texts and bring a fuller and deeper meaning to all who listen.” This year’s service will feature music by Johann Sebastian Bach, George Fredrich Handel and Benjamin Britten, as well as others.

The choirs will be accompanied by a variety of instruments from stringed and wind instruments to harp, as well as organ.

All members of the Archdiocesan family are warmly invited to attend.