THIS coming Sunday (December 1) Crediton Church Choir will lead a traditional Advent Carol Service at 6pm at Crediton Parish Church.

Advent Sunday marks the beginning of the Church Year as preparations get underway for Christmas.

Similar in structure to the much more familiar Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (which this year will be on Sunday, December 22), the Advent service sets the context for Jesus’ birth with readings from the prophets through to the appearance of the Angel to Mary.

These are illustrated with carols old and new sung by the choir, and some well-known and rousing congregational carols concluding with the triumphant “Lo! He comes with clouds descending”.

Candles add to the atmosphere of light overcoming darkness.