Celebration for the Second Sunday after Christmas

Second Sunday of Christmas 2022
  1. Opening Salutation: Ephesians 1:2.
  2. “I saw three ships come sailing in”, arr David Willcocks sung by the Guildford Cathedral Choir under Barry Rose, uploaded to YouTube by “Stirling” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14, King James Bible.
  4. Carol: “Gaudete Christus est Natus” by Collegium Vocale, 1993, available at Wikimedia Commons and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Translation: Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born of the virgin Mary–Rejoice. The time of grace has come–What we have wished for; Songs of joy. Let us give back faithfully. God has become man, with nature marveling, the world has been renewed by the reigning Christ. The closed gate of Ezekiel is passed through. Whence the light is risen, salvation has been found. Therefore, let our assembly now sing in brightness. Let it bless the Lord: Salvation to our King.
  5. Psalm 147:12-20, King James Version.
  6. Hymn: “How Brightly Shines the Morning Star” sung in German by Wiltner Boys Choir of Innsbruck, Austria, featured in “Joy of Music 2214 CHRISTMAS IN ART & MUSIC”, uploaded to YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. English lyrics: 1. How brightly shines the Morning Star! The nations see and hail afar the light in Judah shining. Thou David’s son of Jacob’s race, The Bridegroom, and the King of grace, for thee our hearts are pining!Lowly, holy, great and glorious, thou victorious Prince of graces, filling all the heavenly places. 2. Though circled by the hosts on high, he deigns to cast a pitying eye upon his helpless creature; the whole creation’s Head and Lord, by highest seraphim adored, assumes our very nature. Jesus, grant us, through thy merit, to inherit thy salvation: hear, O hear our supplication. 3. Rejoice, ye heav’ns; thou earth, reply; with praise, ye sinners, fill the sky for this his incarnation. Incarnate God, put forth thy pow’r, ride on, ride on, great Conqueror, till all know thy salvation. Amen, amen! Alleluya, alleluya! Praise be given evermore by earth and heaven. 
  7. Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14, World English Bible.
  8. Organ interlude: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (with Christine Capote, Flute), featured in “Joy of Music 2214 CHRISTMAS IN ART & MUSIC”, uploaded to YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  9. Gospel: John 1:10-18, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  11. Blessing: Ephesians 3.
  12. Carol: “Puer Natus in Bethlehem”, arranged by Michael Pretorius (1571-1621). Performed by Eva Cernanska (soprano), Liubov Melnyk (alto), Xabier Monton (tenor), and Raul del Toro (Organ), at the parish of El Salvador in Pamplona, uploaded to YouTube by “Canentes Domino”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  English Lyrics: A Child is born in Bethlehem; Exult for joy, Jerusalem! There, in a manger lowly, lies. He who reigns above the skies.
  13. Organ Postlude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) “Puer Natus in Bethlehem”, BuxWV 217, performed by Raul del Toro (Organ), at the parish of El Salvador in Pamplona, uploaded to YouTube by “Canentes Domino”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

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