Hymn: Claude Goudimel (c. 1505-1572) “Comfort Comfort Ye, My People”, sung by Ned Tipton and the St. John’s Cathedral Compline Choir, Los Angeles, uploaded to YouTube by Steven Speciale, and used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.
First Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4, King James Bible.
Canticle of Zechariah “Benedictus” (Luke 1:68-79) from the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
Hymn: Gustav Holst (1874-1934) “In the Bleak Midwinter”, performed in December 2010 by QuireCleveland under direction by Ross W. Duffin, at the Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, OH. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11, World English Bible.
Organ sequence: “Hark, A Thrilling Voice is Sounding”, Uploaded to YouTube by Evan Hilsabeck, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
Choral Amen, public domain.
Organ postlude: Heinrich Scheidemann (1595-1663) “Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit” performed by Reiner Korver on the Severijn organ in the St. Martinuskerk in Cuijk, 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.
“Come, thou Long Expected Jesus” performed at the University Church in Walla Walla, WA, uploaded to YouTube by “Your Church” and used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.
First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16, King James Bible.
Psalm 25:1-10, King James Bible.
Gloria Patri (“Glory be to the Father”) by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), sung by Salt Lake Children’s Choir, at the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, May 2011; Uploaded to YouTube by “lemmondg”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, World English Bible.
Hymn: “Savior of the Nations Come”, sung by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, in the public domain at Archive.org.
Gospel: Luke 21:25-36, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
Anthem: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” posted by “Ferox” in the Internet Archive. Public Domain.
Organ Postlude: J.S. Bach () “Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659, Performed by David Schaller. Uploaded to YouTube by “After Dark Organ Music”, 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
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.
Lessons and Carols 2020
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.
Hymn: “Creator of the Stars of Night”, sung by Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford, CT, Dec 2012; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, King James Bible.
Canticle: Lorenzo Perosi (1872-1956) “Magnificat”, performed at the Church of the Nativity of the BVM alla Mandria, uploaded to YouTube by “CappellaMusicaleBeataVergine”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. English Text from Luke 1:46-55: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27, World English Bible.
Hymn arranged for organ and flute: Franz Schubert “Ave Maria”, performed by Sofia Lubyantseva; Uploaded to YouTube by “FluteMasters”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
Organ postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Meine Seele Erhebt den Herren”, Bwv 648. Performed at Jacobikerk Utrecht, uploaded to YouTube by Koos van ‘t Hul, 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.
Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”, performed by the chorus of the U.S. Army Band, led by Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr. Public domain.
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, King James Bible.
Canticle: Zachariáš Zarevúcky (1605-1667): “Magnificat secundi toni à (8, alternatim)”, performed in December 2010 at ČESKÉ MUZEUM HUDBY. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license. English Text from Luke 1:46-55: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, World English Bible.
Motet (in lieu of Gospel Reading, from John 1:19-23): Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) “This is the Record of John,” performed by the Men and Boys of Saint Matthew’s Church, Ottawa. Uploaded to YouTube by Leonard Surges, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
Organ postlude: Georg Böhm (1661-1733), Extract from Partita “Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele” performed by Benjamin Alard in Aug 2019 on the historical organ by Joachim Kayser (1694) – St. Sixtus und Sinicius’s church in Hohenkirchen (Wangerland), 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: Claude Goudimel (c. 1505-1572) “Comfort Comfort Ye,
My People”, sung by
Ned Tipton and the St. John’s Cathedral Compline Choir,
Los Angeles, uploaded to YouTube by Steven Speciale, and used in Accordance
with Creative Commons license.
First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11, King James Bible.
Psalm Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, King James Bible.
Hymn: Gustav Holst (1874-1934) “In the Bleak Midwinter”,
performed in December 2010 by QuireCleveland under direction by Ross W. Duffin,
at the Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, OH. Used in accordance with Creative
Commons license.
Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a, World English Bible.
Organ sequence: “Hark, A Thrilling Voice is Sounding”, Uploaded
to YouTube by Evan Hilsabeck, and used in accordance with Creative Commons
license.
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8, World English Bible.
The
Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
Blessing:
2nd Corinthians 13.
Organ
postlude: Heinrich Scheidemann (1595-1663) “Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit”
performed by Reiner Korver on the Severijn organ in the St. Martinuskerk in
Cuijk, 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: “Come, thou Long Expected Jesus” performed at the University Church in Walla Walla, WA, uploaded to YouTube by “Your Church” and used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.
First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9, King James Bible.
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, King James Bible.
Gloria Patri (“Glory be to the Father”) by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), sung by Salt Lake Children’s Choir, at the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, May 2011; Uploaded to YouTube by “lemmondg”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, World English Bible.
Organ sequence: “Lo, He Comes with Clouds of Glory”, Uploaded to YouTube by “Ubertuba”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
Anthem: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” posted by “Ferox” in the Internet Archive. Public Domain.
We beseech thee, Almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son our Lord cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Merciful God, who sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.