For those seeking a more traditional start to their Christmas Day, BBC One offers a respite from the usual onslaught of festive specials with its annual “Christmas Morning” service. This year, the broadcast hails from the stately Halifax Minster in Yorkshire, bringing with it the promise of soaring choral music, heartwarming readings, and perhaps even a live animal or two.
The service will be led by the Rev Canon Hilary Barber and features the Halifax Minster Choir, accompanied by the Hammonds Brass Band, performing a selection of classic Christmas carols. A special crib blessing, complete with live animals, will surely add a touch of endearing chaos to the proceedings. The Rt Rev Smitha Prasadam, Bishop of Huddersfield, will deliver the sermon, focusing on the enduring themes of hope and renewal found within the Christmas story. And, because no Christmas service is complete without a slightly off-kilter musical number, viewers can also anticipate a unique arrangement of “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” set to a traditional Yorkshire folk tune.
So, if the prospect of another repeat of “The Snowman” fills you with existential dread, or you simply crave a moment of quiet reflection amidst the holiday frenzy, tune in to BBC One at 10:15 a.m. on Christmas Day for a dose of traditional festive cheer. The service lasts for 65 minutes, leaving just enough time to brew another pot of tea before the onslaught of present-opening and family squabbles commence.
