Hymn: “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”, Soloist Roger McMurrin, and Dianne Bish, organ, from “Joy of Music” program entitled “The Life of John Wesley”, uploaded to YouTube by “Joy Of Music” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5, King James Bible.
Psalm 36:5-9 from the Scottish Metrical Psalter of 1650, sung by the members of Trinity Presbyterian Reformed Church, uploaded to Youtube by “charlotteprc”. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, World English Bible.
Hymn: “Open My Eyes, That I May See” performed by Fountainview Academy; uploaded to YouTube by Terceiro Anjo, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
Gospel: John 2:1-11, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
Blessing: from 2 Corinthians 13.
Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Toccata, Adagio und Fuge in C-Dur: Toccata (BWV 564)” performed by Jin Kyung Lim on the Fisk Organ at Stanford Memorial Church, uploaded to YouTube by “bongsub”, and 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.
“My father arranged from ancient sources a little service for Christmas Eve, nine carols and nine tiny lessons. They were read by various officers of the church, beginning with a chorister and ending, through different grades, with the bishop.”
A.C. Benson
(Note: This is a repost from 1 year ago. Enjoy)
The “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” originated at Truro Cathedral in England in 1880, and has become a beloved holiday tradition for many churches since then. I have stitched together this service from the audio sources credited below, and offer it as my reflection upon, and celebration of, the birth of the Messiah.
Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City”, sung by the Choir of St Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas, in 2003; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
Bidding Prayer: Immanuel Congregational Church, Dec 2012; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
Lesson 1: Genesis 3:8-15. God announces in the garden of Eden that the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.
Carol: Boris Ord (1897 – 1961) “Adam Lay Ybounden”, sung by the First Congregational Church of LA, in 2018. Available on YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Lesson 2: Genesis 22:15-18. God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall the nations of the earth be blessed.
Carol: Michael Pretorius (1571-1621) “Veni Redemptor Gentium”, Sung by the choir of Men and Boys of St. Matthew’s Church, Ottawa, Canada, in about 1971. Uploaded to YouTube by Leonard Surges and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Lesson 3: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7. Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.
Carol: “Joy To The World”, sung by unknown congregation, public domain.
Lesson 4: Micah 5: 2-4. The prophet Micah foretells the glory of little Bethlehem.
Carol: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, sung by the Choir of St Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas, in 2003; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
Lesson 5: Luke 1:26-38. The angel Gabriel salutes the virgin Mary.
Carol: “Gabriel’s Message” (Basque Carol), sung by Alexandra Slater, with Gareth Moore and Manx Voices, at Manannan’s Winterfest, 2019. The music was uploaded to YouTube by Culture Vannin, and is here used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Lesson 6: Matthew 1:18-23. St. Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus.
Carol: “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”, sung by the Choir of St Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas, in 2003; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
Lesson 7: Luke 2:1-20. St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
Carol: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Sung by congregation of Immanuel Congregational Church, Dec 2012; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
Lesson 8: Matthew 2: 1-11. Wise men are led by the star to Jesus.
Carol: “What Child is This?” performed by the U.S. Army Chorus, public domain.
Lesson 9: John 1: 1-14. St. John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation.
Carol: “On Christmas Night”, sung by the Choir of St Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas, in 2003; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
Benediction: Excerpted from a recording from Immanuel Congregational Church, Dec 2012; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
Recessional Hymn: “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Sung as processional at the Carols by Candlelight service at Washington National Cathedral on December 23rd, 2015. The music was uploaded to YouTube by Sam Cherubim, and is here used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
The Bible passages from the King James Version were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. All audio files are given with attribution where known.
Opening Sentence: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662
Hymn: “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”, performed by organist Diane Bish, from “Joy of Music” program “9913 Great Organs and Churches of France”. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
First Reading: Isaiah 53:4-12, King James Bible.
Psalm 91:9-16, King James Bible.
Hymn: “Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer”, unknown congregation, in the public domain at Archive.org.
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10, World English Bible.
Organ sequence: “Ite Confessor Ist” Hymn Tune, played on the organ at Norwich Cathedral, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
Gospel: Mark 10:35-45, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
Organ postlude: Nicholaus Bruhns (1665-1697) “E-moll Preludium,” performed by Bertalan Nagy on the organ of the Lutheran Church in Deák Square. 2021. This recording is used in accordance with the 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.
Hymn: “Praise to The Lord, The Almighty the King of Creation”, sung by an anonymous congregation, in the public domain.
First Reading: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 King James Bible.
Psalm 90:12-17, King James Bible.
Gloria Patri: From a live service at the First Presbyterian Church of Wolcott. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16, World English Bible.
Hymn: “O God Our Help In Ages Past”, public domain.
Gospel: Mark 10:17-31, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
Organ postlude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707), “Präludium g-Moll”, BuxWV 149, performed by Tobias Götting, Lambertikirche, Oldenburg, uploaded to YouTube by NOMINEeV, and 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.
Hymn: “Love Divine All Loves Excelling” sung at Hyde Park Union Church, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
First Reading: Genesis 2:18-24, King James Bible.
Psalm 9
Hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth”, public domain.
Second Reading: Hebrew 1:1-4, and 2:5-12, World English Bible.
Organ Sequence: David Johnson’s “Wondrous Love”, played by Joey Wetzels on the great Klais organ of the Monastery St. Michael in Steyl, uploaded to YouTube by Joey Wetzels, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel: Mark 10:2-16, World English Bible.
“Lord Have Mercy” from Lutheran Vespers, Tacoma 2008. This was uploaded to YouTube by Pacific Lutheran University, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew.
Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17.
Organ postlude: J. S. Bach (1685–1750), “Präludium a-Moll”, BWV 543, performed by Lucas Pohle at Nikolaikirche Leipzig, 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.
Organ prelude: Max Reger (1873-1916) “Scherzo in D”, Op 65, performed by Raúl Prieto Ramírez, on the restored 1928 Skinner Organ at Hope College, MI, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
First Reading: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29, King James Bible.
Psalm 19:7-14, King James Version.
Hymn: “All Creatures of Our God and King” (verse 1), from the Diane Bish “Joy of Music” program “Hymns of Faith”, Performed at Miller Chapel, Princeton Theological Seminary, Creative Commons.
Second Reading: James 5:13-20, World English Bible.
Hymn: “If You Will Trust In God to Guide Thee.” Sung by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford. In the Public Domain.
Gospel: Mark 9:38-50, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
Blessing: From Ephesians 3.
Postlude: Max Reger (1873-1916) “Toccata and Fuge a-moll,” opus 80, performed by Kerstin Wolf on the Beckerath-Orgel in St. Petri, Hamburg, around 2015. This recording is used in accordance with the 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.
Hymn: “Come, Thou Almighty King”, unknown congregation, available in public domain.
First Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20, King James Bible.
Psalm 54, King James Version.
Second Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8, World English Bible.
Organ Sequence: Starling Goodwin (1711-1774), “London Old, Interlude 1”, uploaded to YouTube by Chordis and Organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: Chanted by unknown congregation, uploaded to YouTube by “LabourerFaith”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
Postlude: Nicholaus Bruhns (1665-1697) “Praeludium, e-moll”, performed on Arp Schnitger Orgel at Ganderkesee, by Thorsten Ahlrichs, use in accordance with Creative Commons licence.
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.
Organ prelude: Jeremiah Clarke (1674-1707), “Prince of Denmark March”, Performed by Michael Rondeau, available in the public domain, at MusOpen.org.
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9, King James Bible.
Psalm 116:1-9, King James Version.
Second Reading: James 3:1-12, World English Bible.
Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, public domain.
Gospel: Mark 8:27-38, World English Bible.
Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Fantasia and Fugue”, BWV 562, performed by Gosse Hulzinga, in the public domain at MusOpen.org.
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.
Organ prelude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1706), “Praeludium und Fuge” BuxWV 147, performed on ernst stolz Hauptwerk Müller organ Oosterwijtwerd, uploaded to YouTube by “My Years With Early Music”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7, King James Bible.
Psalm 147, King James Version.
Response: G. F. Handel (1685-1759) “Praise the Lord”, performed in 2012 by “Con Anima” – St. Patricks College Choir. Used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
Second Reading: James 2:1-17, World English Bible.
Organ Sequence: Starling Goodwin (1711-1774), “London New, Interlude 3”, uploaded to YouTube by Chordis and Organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel: Mark 7:24-37, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: from Matthew 6.
Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
Postlude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1706), “Toccata en Fa majeur” BuxWV 156, performed by Anne-Gaëlle Chanon on the orgue Schnitger de la Martinikerk de Groningen, 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.
Anthem: Jacob Handl (1550-1591), “In nomine jesu”, performed by Chór Słowiki at the church of St. John the Baptist in Szczecin, Poland. Uploaded to YouTube by “andkuba99” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Translation: “In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. Alleluia.”
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9. King James Bible.
Psalm 15, King James Version.
Hymn: “Be Still My Soul”, performed by the Thomas Cumberland Choir, from “Sunday Hymn Sing” in the Community Audio section of Archive.org.
Second Reading: James 1:17-27, World English Bible.
Hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, verse 1, performed at St. John’s Church, Redhill, uploaded to YouTube by Ginette and Peter Nye, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons License.
Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, World English Bible.
Lord’s Prayer: From Luke 11.
Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17.
Postlude: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621), “Fantasia Cromatica”. Performed by Jin Kyung Limon the Fisk organ at Stanford University, Nov 2015; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.