# Once in royal David's city
# Stood a lowly cattle shed
# Where a mother laid her baby
# In a manger for his bed
# Mary was that mother mild
# Jesus Christ, her little child
# He came down to earth from heaven
# Who is God and Lord of all
# And his shelter was a stable
# And his cradle was a stall
# With the poor and mean and lowly
# Lived on earth, our Saviour holy
# And through all his wondrous childhood
# He would honour and obey
# Love and watch the lowly maiden
# In whose gentle arms he lay
# Christian children all must be
# Mild, obedient, good as he
# For he is our childhood's pattern
# Day by day, like us he grew
# He was little, weak and helpless
# Tears and smiles, like us he knew
# And he feeleth for our sadness
# And he shareth in our gladness
# And our eyes at last shall see him
# Through his own redeeming love
# For that child, so dear and gentle
# Is our Lord in heaven above
# And he leads his children on
# To the place where he is gone
# Not in that poor lowly stable
# With the oxen standing by
# We shall see him, but in heaven
# Set at God's right hand on high
# When like stars his children crowned
# All in white shall wait around. #
We gather today to celebrate the birth of the Christ child,
God's gift of love to the world,
and to celebrate that good news with joy and delight.
As we trace the familiar stories in scripture and poetry,
we ponder in our hearts what the gift at the centre of all this means
and what it requires of us.
The faith we celebrate at Christmas is that God is with us as friend,
companion and saviour.
A friend who brings the fullness of God's grace
into the realities of flesh and blood.
A companion who shares our pain and distress.
And a saviour who heals our wounds and transforms our fears into hope.
As we celebrate Christmas,
we rejoice that God in Christ shares our life,
healing and reconciling us through his endless gift of love.
# On Christmas night all Christians sing
# To hear the news the angels bring
# On Christmas night all Christians sing
# To hear the news the angels bring
# News of great joy News of great mirth
# News of our merciful King's birth
# Then why should men on earth be so sad
# Since our Redeemer made us glad?
# Then why should men on earth be so sad
# Since our Redeemer made us glad?
# When from our sin he set us free
# All for to gain our liberty?
# When sin departs before his grace
# Then life and health come in its place
# When sin departs before his grace
# Then life and health come in its place
# Angels and men with joy may sing
# All for to see the newborn King
# All out of darkness we have light
# Which made the angels sing this night
# All out of darkness we have light
# Which made the angels sing this night
# "Glory to God and peace to men
# "Now and forevermore
# "Evermore, amen." #
The angel Gabriel brings glad tidings to Mary.
And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God
unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph,
of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her and said,
"Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee.
"Blessed art thou among women."
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying
and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her,
"Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God.
"And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb
"and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus.
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest,
"and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.
"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever.
"And of his kingdom, there shall be no end."
Then said Mary unto the angel,
"How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"
And the angel answered and said unto her,
"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee
"and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.
"Therefore, also, that holy thing which shall be born of thee
"shall be called the Son of God.
"And behold, my cousin Elisabeth,
"she hath also conceived a son in her old age,
"and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
"For with God nothing shall be impossible."
And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
"Be it unto me according to thy word."
And the angel departed from her.
Thanks be to God.
# The angel Gabriel from heaven came
# His wings as drifted snow
# His eyes as flame
# "All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden, Mary
# "Most highly favoured lady
# "Gloria
# "For known a blessed mother thou shalt be
# "All generations laud and honour thee
# "Thy son shall be Emmanuel by seers foretold
# "Most highly favoured lady
# "Gloria"
# Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head
# "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said
# "My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name
# "Most highly favoured lady
# "Gloria"
# Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born
# In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn
# And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say
# "Most highly favoured lady
# "Gloria" #
# A spotless rose is blowing
# Sprung from a tender root
# Of ancient seers' foreshowing
# Of Jesse promised fruit
# Its fairest bud unfolds to light
# Amid the cold, cold winter
# And in the dark midnight
# The rose which I am singing A spotless rose
# Whereof Isaiah said Is blowing
# Is from its sweet root springing Sprung from a tender root
# In Mary, purest maid Sprung from a tender root
# For through our God's great love and might
# Its bud unfolds
# The blessed babe she bare us In the dark midnight
# In a cold, cold winter's night In the dark midnight
# The rose which I am singing
# Whereof Isaiah said
# Is from its sweet root springing
# In Mary, purest maid
# For through our God's great love and might
# The blessed babe she bare us
# In a cold, cold winter's night. #
Mary visits her cousin Elisabeth.
Mary arose in those days
and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda,
and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth.
And it came to pass,
that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary,
the babe leaped in her womb
and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.
And she spake out with a loud voice and said,
"Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."
"And whence is this to me,
"that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
"For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears,
"the babe leaped in my womb for joy."
And blessed is she that believed,
for there shall be a performance of those things
that were told her from the Lord.
And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord
"and my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Saviour.
"For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.
"For behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed.
"For he that is mighty hath done to me great things
"and holy is his name.
"And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
"He hath showed strength with his arm.
"He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
"He hath put down the mighty from their seats
"and exalted them of low degree.
"He hath filled the hungry with good things
"and the rich he hath sent empty away.
"He hath helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy,
"as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."
And Mary abode with her about three months
and returned to her own house.
Thanks be to God.
# In heaven stood a linden tree
# With pure white flowers laden
# Yet not a bloom was fair as she
# Sweet Mary, chosen maiden
# Great Gabriel, God's angel bright Great Gabriel, God's angel bright
# From high above came winging From high above came winging
# To one, the purest in God's sight
# A joyful message bringing
# Hail, Mary, blessed virgin mild
# With God you have found favour
# You shall conceive and bear a child
# To all the world a Saviour
# "My soul does magnify the Lord!
# "I am His servant lowly
# "Be all according to His word"
# Said Mary, meek and holy
# Away the angels flew to share
# The news of Mary's duty
# And heav'n rejoiced that she would bear
# The blossom of all beauty
# The blossom of all beauty. #
UNACCOMPANIED TREBLES AND ALTOS: # There is no rose
# Of such virtue
# As is the rose
# That bare Jesu
# Alleluia
# For in this rose contained was For in this rose contained was
# Heav'n and earth Heav'n and earth
# In little space
# Res miranda
# By that rose
# We may well see
# There be one God
# In Persons Three
# Pares forma
TREBLES AND ALTOS: # Then leave we all
# This worldly mirth
# And follow we
# This joyous birth
ALL: # Transeamus. #
Mary's son is born in Bethlehem.
And it came to pass, in those days,
that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be taxed.
And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,
unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and lineage of David -
to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was that, while they were there,
the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her first-born son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Thanks be to God.
# Away in a manger
# No crib for a bed
# The little Lord Jesus
# Laid down His sweet head
# The stars in the bright sky
# Looked down where He lay
# The little Lord Jesus
# Asleep on the hay
# The cattle are lowing
# The baby awakes
# But little Lord Jesus
# No crying He makes
# I love Thee, Lord Jesus
# Look down from the sky
# And stay by my side
# Until morning is nigh
# Be near me, Lord Jesus
# I ask Thee to stay
# Close by me forever
# And love me, I pray
# Bless all the dear children
# In Thy tender care
# And fit us for heaven
# To live with Thee there. #
# The holly and the ivy When they are both full grown
# Of all the trees that are in the wood
# The holly bears the crown
# Oh, the rising of the sun The running of the deer
# The playing of the organ Sweet singing in the choir
# Sweet singing in the choir
# The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn
# And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn
# Oh, the rising of the sun The running of the deer
# The playing of the organ Sweet singing in the choir
# Sweet singing in the choir
# The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall
# And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all
# Oh, the rising of the sun The running of the deer
# The playing of the organ Sweet singing in the choir
# Sweet singing in the choir
# The holly and the ivy when they are both full grown
# Of all the trees that are in the wood
# The holly bears the crown
# Oh, the rising of the sun The running of the deer
# The playing of the organ
# Sweet singing
# Sweet singing in the choir. #
# God rest you merry, gentlemen
# Let nothing you dismay
# For Jesus Christ our Saviour
# Was born upon this day
# To save us all from Satan's power
# When we were gone astray
# O tidings of comfort and joy
# Comfort and joy
# O tidings of comfort and joy
# From God our heavenly Father
# A blessed angel came
# And unto certain shepherds
# Brought tidings of the same
# How that in Bethlehem was born
# The Son of God by name
# O tidings of comfort and joy
# Comfort and joy
# O tidings of comfort and joy
# But when to Bethlehem they came
# Whereat this infant lay
# They found Him in a manger
# Where oxen feed on hay
# His mother, Mary, kneeling
# Unto the Lord did pray
# O tidings of comfort and joy
# Comfort and joy
# O tidings of comfort and joy
# Now to the Lord sing praises Ah-ah-ah-ah
# All you within this place Ah-ah-ah-ah
# And with true love and brotherhood Ah-ah-ah-ah
# Each other now embrace Ah-ah-ah-ah
# This holy tide of Christmas Ah-ah-ah-ah
# All others doth deface Ah-ah-ah
ALL: # O tidings of comfort and joy
# Comfort and joy
# O tidings of comfort and joy. #
In her poem Christmas Eve,
Christina Rossetti invites the whole of creation
to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Christmas hath darkness
Brighter than the blazing noon
Christmas hath a chillness
Warmer than the heat of June
Christmas hath a beauty
Lovelier than the world can show
For Christmas bringeth Jesus
Brought for us so low.
Earth, strike up your music
Birds that sing and bells that ring
Heaven hath answering music
For all Angels soon to sing
Earth, put on your whitest
Bridal robe of spotless snow
For Christmas bringeth Jesus
Brought for us so low.
# We stood on the hills, Lady
# Our day's work done
# Watching the frosted meadows
# That winter had won Calm
# Calm
# The evening was calm, Lady Calm, calm
# The air so still
# Silence more lovely than music Silence
# Folded the hill Silence... #
ALL HUM
# There was a star, Lady
# Shone in the night
# Larger than Venus it was
# And bright, so bright
# Oh, a voice from the sky, Lady
# It seemed to us then
# Telling of God being born Of God being born
# In the world of men Lady, Lady... #
ALL HUM
# And so we have come, Lady
# Our day's work done
# Our love, our hopes, ourselves
# We give to your Son Lady, Lady. #
ALL HUM
ALL HUM FINAL SUSTAINED NOTE
# O holy night
# The stars are brightly shining
# It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth
# Long lay the world
# In sin and error pining
# Till He appeared
# And the soul felt its worth
# A thrill of hope
# The weary world rejoices
# For yonder breaks
# A new and glorious morn
# Fall on your knees
# Oh, hear the angel voices
# O night divine O night divine
# O night when Christ was born O night when Christ was born
# O night divine
O night divine
# O night, O night divine
# Led by the light
# Of faith serenely beaming A-a-ah
# With glowing hearts
# By His cradle we stand A-a-ah
# By His cradle we stand
# So, led by light Ah
# Of a star sweetly gleaming A-a-ah
# Here came the wise men from the Orient land A-a-ah
# The Orient land
# The King of Kings The King of Kings
# Lay thus in lowly manger Lay in lowly manger
# In all our trials Lay in lowly manger
# Born to be our friend Our friend
# He knows our need A-a-ah
# To our weakness no stranger A-a-ah
# Behold your King Behold, behold your King
# Before Him lowly bend Before Him lowly bend
# Behold your King Behold your King
# Your King Your King
# Before Him bend
# Truly He taught us
# To love one another
# His law is love and His Gospel is peace
# Chains shall He break
# For the slave is our brother
# And in His name
# All oppression shall cease
# Sweet hymns of joy
# In grateful chorus raise we
# Let all within us
# Praise His holy name
# Christ is the Lord
# Then ever, ever praise we
# His power and glory
# Ever, evermore proclaim
# His power and glory His power and glory
# Evermore proclaim. #
Like the altarpiece of this chapel,
Christopher Pilling's poem The Meeting Place
is an invitation to wonder at the Adoration of the Magi.
It was the arrival of the kings that caught us unawares.
We'd looked in on the woman in the barn,
curiosity you could call it,
something to do on a cold winter's night.
We'd wished her well -
that was the best we could do.
She was in pain.
And the next thing we knew,
she was lying on the straw - the little there was of it -
and there was this baby in her arms.
It was, as I say, the kings that caught us unawares.
Women have babies every other day,
not that we are there.
Let's call it a common occurrence though, giving birth.
But kings appearing in a stable with a "Is this the place?"
And kneeling, each with his gift held out towards the child!
They didn't even notice us.
Their robes trailed on the floor,
rich, lined robes that money couldn't buy.
What must this child be
to bring kings from distant lands
with costly incense and gold?
What would a tiny baby make of that?
And what were we to make of -
was it angels falling through the air,
entwined and falling as if from the rafters
to where the gaze of the kings met the child's -
assuming the child could see?
What would the mother do with the gift?
What would become of the child?
And we'll never admit there are angels...
..or that somewhere between one man's eyes and another's
is a holy place, a space where a king could be
at one with a naked child,
at one with an astonished soldier.
# We three kings of Orient are
# Bearing gifts we traverse afar
# Field and fountain Moor and mountain
# Following yonder star
# O star of wonder, star of night
# Star with royal beauty bright
# Westward leading, still proceeding
# Guide us to thy perfect light
# Born a King on Bethlehem plain
# Gold I bring to crown Him again
# King forever, ceasing never
# Over us all to reign
# O star of wonder, star of night
# Star with royal beauty bright
# Westward leading, still proceeding
# Guide us to thy perfect light
# Frankincense to offer have I
# Incense owns a Deity nigh
# Prayer and praising All men raising
# Worship Him God Most High
# O star of wonder, star of night
# Star with royal beauty bright
# Westward leading, still proceeding
# Guide us to thy perfect light
# Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
# Breathes a life of gathering gloom
# Sorrowing, sighing Bleeding, dying
# Sealed in a stone-cold tomb
# O star of wonder, star of night
# Star with royal beauty bright
# Westward leading, still proceeding
# Guide us to thy perfect light
# Glorious now behold Him arise
# King and God and sacrifice
# Alleluia! Alleluia!
# Earth to Heaven replies
# O star of wonder, star of night
# Star with royal beauty bright
# Westward leading, still proceeding
# Guide us to thy perfect light. #
# Night has come to Bethlehem
# The family is asleep
# Exhausted by the wonders seen
# The news outrageous, deep
# That I may come and worship him
# Ox and ass have closed their eyes
# Their ears now hear no sound
# Shepherds have gone back to their flocks
# The mouse still noses around
# That I may come and worship him
# Kings have left for their distant lands
# Fractious camels moan
# At a desert spring they make their farewells
# It's a mighty way to home
# That I may come and worship him
# Later that night their heads are filled
# With a dream-drenched holy ray
# "Do not return to Herod the king
# "Go back another way"
# That I may come and worship him
# And so our Christ is saved from death Ah-ah, ah-ah
# His mission to complete
# To change the world by selfless love
# Satan's legions Satan's legions
# Satan's legions to beat! #
Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee as refugees to Egypt.
And when they were departed, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying,
"Arise, and take the young child and his mother,
"and flee into Egypt,
"and be thou there until I bring thee word -
"for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
When he arose,
he took the young child and his mother by night,
and departed into Egypt -
and was there until the death of Herod.
That it might be fulfilled,
which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
"Out of Egypt have I called my son."
Thanks be to God.
# Jerusalem, rejos for joy
# Jesus, the sterne of most beauty
# In thee is rissin as richtous roy
# Fro dirkness to illumine thee
# With glorious sound of angel glee
# Thy Prince is born in Bethlehem
# Which sall thee mak of thralldome free
# Illuminare
# Jerusalem
# With angellis licht in legionis
# Thou art illuminit all about
# Three kingis of strange regionis
# To thee are cumin with lusty rout
# All drest with dyamantis
# Reverst with gold in ev'ry hem
# Sounding attoneis with a shout
# Illuminare
# Jerusalem
# The regeand tirrant that in thee rang
# Herod is exileit and his offspring
# The land of Juda that josit wrang
# And rissin is now thy richtous King
# So He so mychtie is and digne
# When men His glorious name does nem Does nem
# Heaven, erd and hell makis inclyning
# Illuminare
# Jeru-u-usalem. #
# Thou must leave thy lowly dwelling
# The humble crib, the stable bare
# Babe, all mortal babes excelling
# Content our earthly lot to share
# Loving father
# Loving mother
# Shelter Thee with tender care
# Loving father
# Loving mother
# Shelter Thee with tender care
# Blessed Jesus, we implore Thee
# With humble love and holy fear
# In the land that lies before Thee
# Forget not us who linger here
# May the shepherd's lowly calling
# Ever to Thy heart be dear
# May the shepherd's lowly calling
# Ever to Thy heart be dear
# Blest are ye beyond all measure
# Thou happy father, mother mild
# Guard ye well your heavenly treasure
# The Prince of Peace, the holy Child
# God go with you
# God protect you
# Guide you safely through the wild
# God go with you
# God protect you
# Guide you safely through the wild
# Guide you safely through the wild. #
St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by Him,
without Him was not anything made that was made.
In Him was life and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness,
and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness,
to bear witness of the Light,
that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light,
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him,
and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own
and his own received him not.
But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name -
which were born, not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,
and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth.
Thanks be to God.
# O magnum mysterium
# Et admirabile
# Sacramentum
# Ut animalia
# Viderent
# Et admirabile
# Sacramentum
# O magnum mysterium
# Ut animalia
# Viderent Dominum
# Ut animalia
# Viderent Dominum
# Natum
# Iacentem in praesepio!
# Beata Virgo
# Cujus viscera
# Meruerunt
# Beata Virgo
# Portare Dominum
# Iesum
# Alleluia
# O magnum mysterium
# Alleluia
# O magnum mysterium
# Et admirabile
# Sacramentum
# Ut animalia
# Viderent Dominum
# Natum
# Iacentem in praesepio!
# Alleluia
# Allelu
# Alleluia. #
Christ, who by his incarnation
gathered into one things earthly and heavenly,
fill you with peace and goodwill
and make you partakers of the divine nature.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen. ALL: Amen.
# O come all ye faithful
# Joyful and triumphant
# O come ye
# O come ye to Bethlehem
# Come and behold Him
# Born the King of angels
# O come, let us adore Him!
# O come, let us adore Him
# Christ the Lord!
# God of God
# Light of light
# Lo! He abhors not the virgin's womb
# Very God
# Begotten, not created
# O come, let us adore Him!
# O come, let us adore Him
# Christ the Lord!
# Sing, choirs of angels
# Sing in exultation
# Sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above
# Glory to God in the highest
# O come, let us adore Him!
# O come, let us adore Him
# Christ the Lord!
# Yea, Lord, we greet Thee
# Born this happy morning
# Jesus, to Thee be glory giv'n!
# Word of the Father
# Now in flesh appearing
# O come, let us adore Him
# Christ the Lord. #
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