Carol service

Most churches in the United Kingdom and Ireland hold carol services in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The service usually consists of hymns about Christmas and readings from the gospels telling the Christmas story. Lots of Candles are lit around the church and sometimes the congregation hold candles to see by.

A carol service is the name for a Christmas church service, In schools they hold the services in the last week of term. They are often held in a local church or cathedral with parents attending. A nativity play is often performed at carol services for primary schools, The birth of Jesus is usually told through readings from the Bible in schools for older children. Christmas carols are sung by the students, who practice for the event during classes in December.

Generally in a carol service, 4-5 carols will be sung. It is customary in the UK to end a carol service with O Little Town of Bethlehem or O Come All Ye Faithful.