12 December 2013, The Tablet

Deck the Hall …


 
In recent years the dean of Westminster has grown used to the media spotlight after welcoming Pope Benedict XVI and President Barack Obama to the abbey, and officiating at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. This Christmas the cameras will once again be on John Hall.The First Eucharist of Christmas on Christmas Eve will be televised on BBC1 with the dean as celebrant and preacher. And the following morning the TV channel will broadcast live the 10 a.m. traditional morning service, with Hall preaching.A BBC spokeswoman explained that while in the past the two services took place at different locations, the cost of lighting the abbey meant that having both liturgies in the same place was more “cost effective” for the licence fee payer.This year is also Justin Welby
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