The 2025 Nine Lessons and Carols of St. Bernard Seminary Hostel, Nchatancha, was held on 17th December 2025 at the Seminary Dining.

The celebration began with Evening Prayer (Vespers), prayed together with invited guests, choristers, and friends of the seminary, making the occasion truly fraternal and inclusive. At the conclusion of Vespers, the Carol Service commenced fully, ushering the congregation into the joyful mystery of Christmas.

In the spirit of the newborn Child and in an atmosphere of happiness and joy, the first lesson officially opened the celebration. This was followed by a choral presentation by the seminarians of the seminary hostel. Other lessons were subsequently proclaimed, each accompanied by solemn hymns and songs that beautifully depicted the journey of our salvation history. These readings reminded the faithful that without Christmas there would be no Easter, and without the Incarnation, humanity’s salvation would have been jeopardized.

As the celebration approached its climax, several breathtaking musical presentations were rendered. Outstanding among them was a magnificent orchestral performance of “Joy to the World” by the entire seminarians of the seminary hostel. The trumpeters sounded like heavenly heralds, the violinists stirred the heavens with their mastery, the recorders evoked the praise of the twenty-four elders, and the saxophonists, with raw and unquenchable talent, crowned the performance with extraordinary brilliance. If the heavenly beings could be moved by such harmony, one can only imagine the profound joy experienced by all who were present

The Carol Service concluded with a homily delivered by the Vice Rector, Rev. Fr. Lazarus Alor, centered on the theme:

“God is our Emmanuel; He accepts us.”

In his reflection, he reminded the congregation that the Nine Lessons and Carols invite us to listen anew to the message of salvation history—from creation to the birth of Christ. At the heart of the celebration is the mystery of the Incarnation, where God became man in order to lift humanity to share in the life of God. God did not choose to approach man merely through the spirit but came to humanity as man, so that through Christ, humanity may come to God and to one another.

Through this celebration, God reassures us that, regardless of our experiences, He remains faithful and saving. When we remain united with Christ and live His life, the miracle of understanding unfolds in our community, allowing love to reign. The celebration actualizes the unity between God and man in the body, making us brothers of Christ and of one another.

The homily further called all present to prepare for the coming of Christ through reconciliation, forgiveness, charity, mortification, prayer, and almsgiving. It concluded with a prayer that God, who comes to us in mystery—in the Sacraments, in His Word, and in the Church—may fill us with peace, joy, and security, this Christmas and always.

Following the homily, the Rector gave his closing remarks, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the celebration. With this, the 2025 Nine Lessons and Carols of St. Bernard Seminary Hostel, Nchatancha, came to a fitting and prayerful end.