Origins of the Service of Lessons and Carols

I have been to dozens of "Lessons and Carols" services, but never knew where the tradition started. This past weekend, the fine (but sadly brief) program Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, televised through PBS, had several interviews on the history of this time-honored tradition.

In case you missed the program - or would like to delve more deeply into the topic - click on the links below ... and enjoy!

For a video of the entire segment, use: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/december-18-2009/festival-of-lessons-and-carols/5267/;

For the extended interview of William Edwards: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/december-18-2009/william-edwards-extended-interview/5266/;

For the extended interview of the Rev. Canon Victoria Sirota: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/december-18-2009/victoria-sirota-extended-interview/5265/.