Christmas at Westminster Abbey: Behind Closed Doors

Christmas is the most intense time of year at the abbey and the season begins with Advent. Relative newbie, minor canon Bob is in charge of this dramatic service, which involves multiple candles being held aloft to represent the light of Christ coming into the world. Music is a vital part of the DNA of the abbey. Under the supervision of choirmaster James O' Donnell, the choristers rehearse for the Christmas carol concerts to come. It's a special time for James, as it's his last Christmas at the abbey after being there for more than 20 years. In the library, the dean inspects a precious medieval document. The richly illustrated Litlyngton Missal records how the abbey celebrated Christmas six centuries ago. Lorraine, head honcho of the abbey's in-house restaurant, is looking for inspiration for her Christmas lunch menu. Archivist Mathew digs out details of the abbey's seasonal celebrations in Tudor times. But will geese, capons, spices, and gallons and gallons of ale really make it onto this year's menu? And the Christmas spirit really begins when the huge tree arrives for the abbey's grounds. The tree going up marks the real start of the Christmas season around the square at Westminster. The abbey shop is a big money-spinner and Christmas is the crucial retail period. Amy, the shop's new head, is keen to make a good impression. But budgets are tight, and she must rely on her in-house team to create the all-important window display. Up on the abbey's highest roof, deputy head of maintenance Iain discovers a leak, which must be fixed pronto. Scaffolders and lead workers are set to work to ensure that this year's Christmas is a dry one. At the Christmas family day, children and adults alike join in a carolling sing-along with the choir. As the abbey rings out with the sound of seasonal music, the dean of Westminster delivers a message about the true meaning of Christmas.