A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols on Classical 91.5/90.3
Monday, December 24, 2007 at 11:00 p.m.
 PRELUDE PROCESSIONAL HYMN
CHRISTMAS GREETING and CALL TO WORSHIP UNISON COLLECT O God, who on this night makes us glad with the remembrance of the birth of our Savior; we pray for peace upon the earth Christ came to save; for love and unity within the one Church He did build; for goodwill among all people. And particularly at this time we remember before Him the poor, the cold, the hungry, the oppressed, the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children. Lastly we remember those who rejoice with us, but on another shore and in a greater light; that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in this Lord Jesus, we are one forevermore. Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
ANTHEM Good Christians all, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say; Jesus Christ is born today. Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today! Good Christians all, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss; Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath oped the heav'nly door and all are blessed evermore. Christ was born for this! Good Christians all, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all, to gain his everlasting hall. Christ was born to save! Good Christians all, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today. Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now. Christ is born today!
THE SECOND LESSON But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
CAROL O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n; O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
THE THIRD LESSON In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a young woman engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The young woman’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
ANTHEM Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?
THE FOURTH LESSON In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
ANTHEM Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: I would my true love did so chance to see the legend of my play, To call my true love to my dance: Sing O my love, O my love, my love, my love; This have I done for my true love. THE FIFTH LESSON In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
CAROL Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
THE SIXTH LESSON When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
ANTHEM HOMILY
CHRISTMAS PRAYER OFFERTORY To you, I offer my heart, O child so sweet and dear, I rely upon your love. Jesus, be thou ever near. My heart is glowing within. Your peace is pure and mild. O Lord, great is your love That gave to us a child. What brought you to the manger? Your love for me, a stranger? O Lord, how deep is your love That reaches down from heaven above, O Lord, how deep is your love that reaches down from above. I lay my heart inside your bed, and kneel amid thy Trinity. Hold me close that I may be with you eternally.
THE SEVENTH LESSON In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
LIGHTING of the CHRIST CANDLE CAROL Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright, Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight, Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light.
CAROL
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
The broadcast is hosted and produced by Jeanne Fisher. The Technical Producer is David Sluberski. Major funding for A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols is provided by a generous grant from Seniorsfirst. |
