DURHAM, N.C. – The iconic Duke Chapel is offering several options for Christmas Eve service today.

What You Need To Know

  • Duke Chapel is offering Christmas Eve services at 2, 5, 8 and 11 p.m.

  • You can watch the 11 p.m. service live on Spectrum News 1

  • This is the 54th year Duke Chapel has put on the Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight service

The Rev. Dr. Luke Powery, the dean of the chapel, explained what people can expect if they attend or watch the service.

“At 11 p.m., it's a service with candlelight. So, [there’s a] sense of peace,” Powery said. “There's the Duke Chapel School of Santorum, which is a small ensemble, will be singing. There'll be a harpist, there'll be the chapel organs, scripture readings, nine lessons of scripture readings and something new this year, an award-winning carol composed by our director of chapel music, Dr. Zebulon Highben.”

Powery says people of all ages and backgrounds come together to celebrate at the service.

“They are drawn not only to the story, but to the reality of one who gives us peace. And people yearn for peace, especially this time of year, peace on Earth, not just in my heart, but the land and the people, the animals, everywhere and everything,” Powery said. “I think there's a deep yearning in the human heart for that peace and for the joy and for the love.”

All are welcome to attend the free services, which fill up fast. Free parking is available in the Bryan Center Parking Garage at 125 Science Drive.

The Christmas Eve services on Sunday include:

  • 2 p.m., children’s service featuring Christmas carols, a pageant and scripture readings. The services lasts about 35 minutes
  • 5 p.m., the Durham Children’s Choir will sing, with Powery preaching the sermon, followed by Christmas carols with the Amalgam Brass ensemble and chapel organists
  • 8 p.m., a service with holy communion and Powery’s preaching, followed by the Bell Durham handbell choir, the Amalgam Brass ensemble and chapel organists for Christmas carols
  • 11 p.m., the traditional service featuring the Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight, featuring scripture readings, Christmas carols, the singers of the Duke Chapel Schola Cantorum, a harpist and chapel organists. The music will include the debut of an original, award-winning carol by Highben

You can watch the 11 p.m. service live on Spectrum News 1 on TV, online or on the free Spectrum News app.