Carols were first sung in Europe in the 1800s. These were not Christmas carols; they were simple songs to celebrate the Winter Solstice around December 21st (the shortest day / longest night of the year). St Francis of Assisi wrote nativity plays to recreate the scene of Jesus’ birth – proclaiming how Mary and Joseph were visited by the shepherds and wise men. This gave birth to Christmas carols – the story of the birth of Jesus put into a blissful musical song. Hence we were serenaded with hymns such as While shepherds watched their flocks by night, Silent Night, Once in Royal David’s City, Good Christian Men Rejoice, O Come All ye Faithful, Hark the Herald, The First Noel, Joy to the World and many other carols.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols started on Christmas Eve in 1918 at King’s College in England. It was a way of the college celebrating the end of the devastating First World War. The dean of the college at that time was Eric White, who was an Army Chaplain during the war; he wanted a different and positive way of celebrating Christmas for the choir and the people in the college. He created and set the template of the lessons and readings as it is still today.
The service starts with the famous carol ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. Verse one is always sung as an unaccompanied solo by one of the boys in the choir. This tradition is sustained at Mount Lavinia each year by a gifted chorister. The choir solemnly moves into the magnificent Chapel of the Transfiguration, followed by the Bishop of Colombo, Warden and Chaplain of S. Thomas College. The service ends with the carol ‘O Come all ye faithful.’ In the beginning at Kings College England, most of the carols were sung by the choir and later on with the congregation.
The Divine Chapel
To all who have been associated with S. Thomas’ College (STC), the magnificent Chapel of the Transfiguration has influenced their lives, touching them in significant ways. This glorious edifice is the vibrant heart of Thomian life. This beautiful chapel and more importantly the good Christian ministry done through it enriches the student mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
In the Old Testament, there is a story of young King Solomon, aspiring to build a sanctuary for the people of Israel that they might pray to almighty God. It was this passion that strongly inspired Warden Stone and Warden Mc Pherson, as they envisaged building a house for God’s worship at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. In 1921, when Warden Stone left for England on holiday, Rev. G. M. Withers went to work organising a campaign to raise funds for the building of the college chapel at Mount Lavinia.
The project architect was P. A. Adams, who designed the chapel, 130 feet long and 39 feet high at the top of the walls, large enough to accommodate 500 boys. In 1923, the foundation stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Earnest Arthur Copleston, Bishop of Colombo. It took great effort to build this simple yet imposing chapel. A fund created by Warden Mc Pherson and Rev. R.S. de Saram saw the boys giving 25 cents each week. On February 12, 1927, Bishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Mark Carpentier – Garnier blessed and consecrated the Chapel of the Transfiguration at S. Thomas’ College amidst a large gathering of jubilant Anglicans. The Warden had read the Petition of Consecration.
This chapel has become the iconic landmark of the school and one of the historic buildings in Mount Lavinia. Its bold Byzantine style exterior of solid stone resonates as a symbol of faith, which is a step-by-step process of the spiritual building leading to perfection that is often talked about in the Bible. The letters AMDG – Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (Latin meaning – For the greater glory of God) are carved on the wall over the west door.
The Choir
A chapel is not complete without voices singing to glorify Almighty God: this is where the Thomian Choir had displayed its harmonious prowess for more than a century. The Thomian Choir sang for the first time on September 21, 1854 at the dedication of the Christ Church Cathedral in Mutwal.
Since 1927 from the time of Organist and Choirmaster Rev. Gilbert, the choral tradition was firmly established and sustained. The boys were trained and mentored by Rev. Roy Yin, Lucien Nethasinghe, Rev. Lucien Fernando and Russell Bartholomeusz. In 1938, the chapel was bestowed with a Hammond organ by the Sir Stewart Schneider Trust. The style of worship at STC, which is liturgical and sacramental within the Anglo-Catholic tradition of Anglicanism, places emphasis on ritual and ceremony. The carol service will be held on December 3, Sunday when the Thomian family gathers at the chapel.
For us this is a season of divine rejoicing! A season of mindful celebration! A time when we reflect and appreciate that Almighty God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world! Let it be a season of seeking the Risen Saviour and Redeemer of our souls. What we are is our gift from God, what we become is our gift to God. We invite you to be inspired by the power of worship and join us as we give thanks to our Saviour Jesus Christ.
By Dishan Joseph