The candles on the Advent Wreath are being lit and everyone is preparing for the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

However, with only 24 hours in a day, we can find ourselves getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, purchasing gifts, decorating homes, and preparing delicious holiday meals. The peaceful Advent preparation and the true meaning of Christmas somehow get caught up in this shuffle, so instead of joyfully awaiting Jesus’ birthday, we find ourselves suffering from “to-do list” stress and anxiety.

How do we put these Christmas woes back into perspective? The first suggestion is to slow down and breathe. Then prayerfully reflect on making a list of faith-related activities that put the real meaning of this sacred holiday back into our lives.  One such non-denominational inspiration can be found at St. Mary Basilica.

“Lessons and Carols” will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday at our historic and magnificent church on the corner of South Union and Main streets. This multi-parish celebration dates back to the late 19th century in England and has been adapted and performed world-wide during the Advent and Christmas seasons for over 100 years.  Generation after generation has participated in this sacred service of scripture and song, and the tradition continues.

Representatives of the four area Catholic congregations — St. Mary, Holy Family, Assumption and St. Anne — will offer this worship service featuring nine lessons from Genesis, Isaiah, Micah, Luke, Matthew, Luke and John. These Old and New Testament readings will be interspersed with Christmas music complementing and reinforcing the Biblical lessons.

The music, coordinated by Rita Tebbetts who is the interim director of the St. Mary Choir, will be provided by talented individuals from the participating parishes with Richard Alwood accompanying on the piano. Soloist Tremaine Ford, will sing “Joseph’s Song,” and soloist Acquanetta Miller will perform Schbert’s “Ave Maria.” Tyler Gregg will play “Carol of the Bells” on his guitar and Ron Brumfield and Anna Katherine McDonough will have solo parts as the choir sings “No Wind at the Window.” Mrs. Tebbetts, who is also co-director of this program, wants to include everyone by inviting the congregation to join the choir with age-old Christmas carols such as “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Angels We Have Heard On High.” Even those who can’t sing can make joyful sounds unto the Lord.

St. Mary has an elevator for easy access on Main Street. A reception will follow at the Rev. David O’Connor Family Life Center which is right across the street from the Basilica. The public is encouraged to attend this up-lifting program which will hopefully bring the true meaning of Christmas to the forefront of our lives. There is no charge.

May everyone who enters the doors of this breath-taking Basilica be awe-inspired by its beauty and humbled by God’s presence. May peace and goodwill enter everyone’s hearts, minds and souls during one of the holiest seasons of the year.

Gwen S. McCalip is the co-director of “Lessons and Carols” and member of St. Mary Basilica