All of a sudden at about one forty-five the queue took a surge forward and there was a mad moment of disorganisation and chaos as everyone grabbed bags, chairs, brollies and moved to follow the flow. The excitement level palpably rose. A minute later another surge forward and we realised that at long last the doors must be open and the long wait would soon be over. Rucksacks, large bags and brollies are not allowed into the chapel and these were jettisoned, with remarkably little concern into the care of the porter who stood, walk-talky in hand beneath the central arch of the Gibb’s building. The KC porters are a fine lot, patient and good humoured. The wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped as the sun began to go down but we knew in a few minutes we would be out of the elements and into the calm of one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in England. Six hundred people sitting under a fifteenth century fan vault roof beneath the gaze of saints who had looked down at so many other congregations over the centuries and we would all rise together to hear the Bible’s lessons of Christmas. And as I passed through the open doors and into the heart of the nave I raised my eyes from the stone steps up which I had walked and my first thought was….. bugger, what a lot of people.
I was remarkably lucky. Given my place in the queue there was no chance of a seat in front of the early renaissance rood screen in full view of the altar, but, funnelled down the side of the nave by the staff, I was directed to seats immediately behind the screen, and, the front row was still free. Taking the seat on the far end of the row, at ninety degrees to the screen I could see down into the candle-lit choir stalls and if I leaned forward a little, I could catch a glimpse of Ruben’s The Adoration of the Magi. But, for most other people, seated down the nave in the dark and on either side of the screen, it must have been almost impossible to see the words on the carol sheet, the choir or the altar. The lessons themselves could hardly be heard from where I was sitting so I guess there was no chance for anyone sitting at the back.