Christmas at the Priory…
Discover the real Christmas here at the Priory
There’s something for everyone…for all the senses…from silence to laughter…from carols and Christingles to Communion…
Click on each link below to find out more
Sunday 7th January 2024 The Epiphany
Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) 8am in the Priory. Entry via accessible entrance in the North Transept.
Parish Communion 10.30am at Malvern College Chapel, College Road, Malvern, WR14 3DF
Epiphany Carol Service 6.30pm in the Priory. Entry via accessible entrance in the North Transept.
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Saturday 25th November
Great Malvern
Christmas Festival 2023
As Great Malvern Town celebrates switching on the Christmas Lights…
…Malvern Priory is right at the heart of the Great Malvern Christmas Festival.
We throw wide the Priory doors to everyone from 10 o’clock until 6.45pm.
Christmas activities for children, live entertainment from talented local musicians and free tea and coffee (donations welcome!).
The day ends with Carols from the Choirs of Malvern Priory from 6.15pm.
Whether it’s cold and wet outside, or even if it’s warm and dry, you can be assured of a warm welcome in the Priory, whatever the weather!
FoN
Monday 27th November
- Sunday 10th December during Priory opening hours
A Festival of Nativities
From around the World…
…from tiny nativities made from leaves, to olive wood, stone, baked and a nativity made in a Malvern walnut shell. Over 20 different nativities on display.
Children can enjoy making their own, free, Upcycled Nativity to take home, in the Children’s area.
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FoN
Monday 27th November
6.30-8pm
A Festival of Nativities Candlelit Preview
Low lighting and the flicker of candles…
…enjoy the annual display of nativities with a glass of wine, nibbles, music and short reflections to raise funds for the Priory’s work.
From tiny nativities made from leaves, to olive wood, stone, baked and a nativity made in a Malvern walnut shell. Over 20 different nativities on display.
Tickets £5, available…
on the door (cash and card)
at the Friends’ Shop (N Aisle in the Priory)
use this link
or scan the QR code below to buy now
seasonal
Thursday 30th November
1pm
Seasonal Concert by the pupils of Malvern Parish School
A Priory Lunch Box concert…
…sit back and be entertained as the children of Malvern Parish Primary School lift their voices in celebration of the Christmas season.
From 12.30 onwards, bring your packed lunch and enjoy tea, coffee and cake (donations welcome!)
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Sunday 3rd December
6.30pm
Advent Carol Service
From darkness to light…
Begin the Advent journey to Christmas in the atmospheric setting of the Priory. Starting with the Choirs’ candlelit procession, through glorious music and readings we hear the story of Jesus’ long-foretold coming.
One of the most popular services of the Christmas season, the Advent Carol Service helps us all remember the true meaning of the approach to Christmas.
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Wednesdays 6th, 13th and 20th December
7.30pm
Compline with Advent Reflection
A contemplative way to end the day…
A simple service from the monastic tradition, with chant sung by the lower voices of the Priory Singers.
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Saturday 9th December
5pm
‘A box of Christmas Surprises’
The Friends’ Community Carol Service
Join with the Priory Choir in an uplifting celebration…
…of the Christmas season.
Candles flickering on the Advent Wreath, joyful handbells, carolling voices echoing around the ancient walls and the Mayor turning on the Christmas tree lights.
Followed by hot punch and mince pies.
At the close, step out into the hissing gaslight of the Malvern night, buoyed up on carols and Christmas readings.
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Sunday 10th December
Lyttelton Rooms
(in the Priory Churchyard)
3 - 5pm
The Gingerbread Nativity!
Christmas Messy Church
Decorate your own edible nativity scene…
…with lots and lots of sprinkles…and chocolate…and icing.
A perfect free activity for youngsters and their carers, parents or grandparents. Hear the Christmas story and build the nativity scene to take home. With Christmas carols in the Priory and rounded off with a festive tea back in the Lyttelton Rooms.
Share the joy of Christmas and make memories to last a lifetime.
Part of the Priory Messy Church programme.
This activity includes ingredients - wheat, eggs, milk.
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Sunday 17th December
6.30pm
Christmas Carol Service
Join with the Priory Choir in an uplifting celebration…
…of the Christmas season.
A glorious mix of music old and new, accompanied by the magnificent Priory organ, with the words of scripture spanning the years between Jesus’ birth and today.
The Priory Carol Service is part of family traditions for many. This year, why not make it one of yours, too?
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Friday 22nd December
10.30am
Christingle Making
Join the merry band…
…of Christingle-makers in the Priory for a fun-packed hour or two of Christingle manufacture.
Oranges. sweets, raisins, silver foil, red ribbon some cocktail sticks and candles, orange-juice-stickified fingers, the hum of conversation and the satisfaction of boxes of completed Christingles.
No previous experience necessary.
All ages very welcome.
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Saturday 23rd December
Sunday 24th December
4pm
Free tickets required - all now allocated*
Christingle
Candles, oranges and the scent of…
excitement as children of all ages, families and friends gather in the Priory, eyes shining bright in the candlelight.
So what exactly is ‘Christingle’?
'Christingle' means 'Christ Child' and originates from the Moravian Church.
A symbol of Christianity, Christingles are made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets or dried fruit and a candle. Each of these different elements has a special meaning, centred on the orange which symbolises the world.
* Free tickets required for both services have now all been allocated.
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Sunday 24th December
10.30am
Altogether Worship with ‘Scratch Nativity’
It is what it says…
…get involved in the Christmas story as it’s told in the service.
Wear your favourite tea-towel (with dressing gown cord), dust off your angel costume, or maybe you’ve always wanted to be a camel?
Here’s your chance!
If acting isn’t your thing, then you’re just as important and very welcome, too. Sing, praise and worship together, here at the Priory.
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Christmas Eve
Sunday 24th December
11.30pm
Midnight Parish Communion
‘Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.’
A celebration of Holy Communion as Christmas Eve turns to Christmas Day.
’Sweet singing in the choir’,
’Let the organ thunder’,
‘Worship him, Lord most high’
A very Happy Christmas
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Christmas Day
Monday 25th December
Services today
8am Holy Communion with liturgy from the Book of Common Prayer
10.30am Christmas Morning Worship
A joyful service for all the family
Hail the heaven-born prince of peace!
Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise each child of earth,
born to give them second birth,
Hark! The herald angels sing
’Glory to the new-born king’
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Sunday 7th January 2024
6.30pm
Epiphany Carol Service
Celebrating the arrival of the Magi…
…or ‘Wise Men’ to offer their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child.
A celebration of regal music sung by the Priory Singers, bringing a glorious and fitting finish to the Christmas season.
