One of my favorite events each December is attending (and participating) in the Service of Lessons and Carols in the chapel at St. George’s School here in Rhode Island. My first one was soon after I was ordained the Episcopal Bishop of Rhode Island and it’s become our family tradition each year since.

This year, with the school rightly limiting people’s access to the hilltop it wasn’t possible for people from the community to participate. The school chaplain very kindly invited me to record one of the readings and they’ve included it in the service which is presented this year on YouTube. The Head of School spoke to the board yesterday about how hard it has been to not celebrate the holidays in the school’s traditional way this year. Watching the video and not having the experience of a crowded chapel, filled with candles and redolent with poinsettia blooms, I agree. This isn’t the way any of us would have it – but there’s no good options and this is a way to keep the tradition alive.

On the plus side, it means that more people will have a chance to hear the music presented by the students and faculty and to see the chapel in all its candlelit beauty.

Perhaps you might set aside a little time this weekend and join in the tradition too.