[Washington National Cathedral] Washington National Cathedral today announced its schedule of family-friendly events, world-class classical concerts, and worship services for the 2013 Advent and Christmas season. All events take place at Washington National Cathedral, located at 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW), Washington, D.C. 20016.

Crèche Exhibit: What Child Is This?
November 25, 2013 – January 12, 2014 (lower level).
For more than 20 years, the Cathedral has opened its annual exhibit of nativity scenes to the public on the Monday before Thanksgiving. The nucleus of the exhibit is a collection of approximately 800 nativity scenes donated by a former docent. About 80 of these are selected for display each year and show the story of Jesus’ birth as interpreted by cultures and customs around the world. The Cathedral’s collection includes miniatures, rare materials, and unusual depictions, as well as typical examples that might be found in anyone’s home.

Advent Lessons and Carols
December 1, 2013 at 4 p.m.; live webcast.
Cathedral choirs lead a service of lessons and carols in the tradition of the internationally famous Kings College, Cambridge. More info »

Close-Up Tour: Angels High and Low
December 1, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. and December 5, 2013 at 3 p.m.; tickets $10 per person.
Angels have been represented in art, literature, and film for centuries. These “messengers” have intrigued artists and viewers throughout history. Discover while touring, the varied media in which angels are depicted in the Cathedral: stained glass, needlepoint, wood carving, and stone carving. Close-up Tours offer a special, in-depth look at aspects of Cathedral artisanship for visitors aged 10 and older. Reservations are encouraged but not required; space is limited. The tour meets at the west-end docent station, nave level, just inside the main doors. More info »

Handel’s Messiah
December 6, 2013 at 7:30 p.m., December 7 and 8, 2013 at 4 p.m.; performed by the Cathedral choir with soloists and Baroque orchestra. Tickets start at $29 and are available online.
With its resounding “Hallelujah” chorus, Handel’s masterpiece glitters through the winter evening. Canon Michael McCarthy directs the Baroque–period orchestra and the Cathedral’s combined boy, girl, and men’s choirs. Guest soloists are Gillian Keith, soprano; Claire Wilkinson, mezzo; Rufus Müller, tenor; Nathan Berg, bass. More info »

The Joy of Christmas Concert
December 14, 2013 at 12 p.m. (family matinee), December 14 and 15, 2013 at 4 p.m.; Cathedral Choral Society in a holiday favorite directed by J. Reilly Lewis, tickets available online.
A perennial holiday favorite from the opening procession accompanied by the great organ to the Cathedral carillon and the beloved carols old and new, this festive concert has long been a Washington family tradition and is often sold out. J. Reilly Lewis conducts the Cathedral Choral Society; Todd Fickley, organ; Edward Nassor, carillon. More info »

Bethlehem Prayer Service
December 21, 2013 at 10 a.m.; joint simulcast service with worshipers in Bethlehem
Join worshipers in the nave for the seventh annual joint simulcast Christmas service with the people of Bethlehem. Prayers, readings, and hymns alternate between Washington, D.C., and Palestine via the Internet, bringing together people of different lands, languages, and ethnic backgrounds in celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. More info »

Christmas Pageant
December 21, 2013 at 2 p.m.; live webcast.
Children of all ages come to the Cathedral to participate in this annual pageant celebrating the Nativity. Children dressed as shepherds, angels, and animals help tell the story of the Messiah’s birth. On the day of the event, families arrive in costume in the nave for a 1:30 pmbrief rehearsal prior to the pageant. The pageant begins at 2 p.m. and lasts approximately one hour. Halos are available for herald angels in need of costume assistance. Bring family, friends, and cameras for this lively telling of the true meaning of Christmas. More info »

Carols by Candlelight
December 22, 23 and 24, 2013 at 6 p.m.; live webcast. Passes required.
Like the angel who heralded glad tidings to the shepherds, we meet during this holy season to sing the joy of Jesus’ birth. In a very real sense it is also our own birth which we celebrate at Christmas—a spiritual birth of the Divine Presence made new in our lives. Join us for this service that captures the spirit of Christmas. Favorite carols, beautiful Christmas music, and lit candles help to tell again the ancient story of the birth of the Prince of Peace. More info »

A note for media — Only the December 24th Christmas Eve Carols service at 6 pm is open to media. Media requesting to tape B-roll of the Cathedral’s Christmas service must attend this service and must RSVP by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 20. Media will not be permitted to attend any other service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Festival Holy Eucharist
December 24, 2013 at 10 p.m. and December 25, 2013 at 11 a.m.; live webcast. Passes are required for both services on Christmas Eve, but are not needed for any service on Christmas Day.
Celebrate Christmas Day at Washington National Cathedral. The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde preaches Christmas Eve, and the Very Rev. Gary R. Hall preaches Christmas Day.
More info (Christmas Eve) »
More info (Christmas Day) »

Christmas Day Service of Lessons and Carols
December 25, 2013 at 4 p.m.; live webcast.
Traditional service of Scripture readings and Christmas carols, featuring Rosa Lamoreaux, soloist. More info »

Christmas Day Organ Recital
December 25, 2013 at 5:15 p.m.; live webcast, $10 recommended donation
Washington National Cathedral organists Christopher Betts and Benjamin Straley play a Christmas afternoon recital of traditional and familiar holiday favorites on the Cathedral’s great organ. With special guest, Rosa Lamoreaux, soprano. More info »