Welcome Dr. Jonny Gibson

Prelude

In Dulci Jubilo arr. Sterling Procter

Who Is He in Yonder Stall? Robert Young

Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherds fall?

‘Tis the Lord, O wondrous story, tis the Lord, the King of glory.

At His feet we humbly fall; Crown Him, crown Him Lord of all!

Who is He, who stands and weeps at the grave where Laz’rus sleeps? ‘Tis the Lord...

Who is He in Calvary’s throes asks for blessings on His foes? ‘Tis the Lord...

Who is He who from the grave comes to seek and help and save? ‘Tis the Lord...

Invocation Dr. Gibson

Carol 208: O Come, All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles/arr. Paul Leddington Wright

Verse 1 = Unison, Verse 2 = Parts, Verse 3 = Unison, Verse 4 = Unison

Prayer of Adoration (Congregation)

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, what shall we render to you for the gift of gifts, your own dear Son, begotten, not created, our redeemer, surety, substitute, his infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp. Herein is wonder of wonders: he came below to raise us above, was born like us that we might become like him. Herein is love: when we cannot rise to him, he draws near on wings of grace, to raise us to himself. O God, take us in spirit to the watchful shepherds, and enlarge our minds; let us hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise and adore. In Christ you have given us so much that heaven can give no more. All praise be to you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

First Lesson: Isaiah 60:1–3 Dr. Gibson (Dec. 23), Brian Savage (Dec. 24)

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Star Carol John Rutter

Sing this night, for a boy is born in Bethlehem, Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies;
bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle, hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

(Refrain) See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas night!
Follow me joyfully; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

Angels bright, come from heaven’s highest glory, bear the news with its message of good cheer;
“Sing, rejoice, for a King is come to save us, hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!” (Refrain)

See, he lies in his mother’s tender keeping; Jesus Christ in her loving arms asleep.
Shepherds poor, come to worship and adore him, offer their humble gifts before the son of Mary. (Refrain)

Let us all pay our homage at the manger, sing his praise on this joyful Christmas night;
Christ is come, bringing promise of salvation; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! (Refrain)

Second Lesson: Isaiah 11:1–5 Sheryl Olson (Dec. 23), Isabella Andrea Andreozzi (Dec. 24)

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming Michael Praetorius

Lo, how a rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung,
of Jesse’s lineage coming, as men of old have sung.
It came, a flow’ret bright, amid the cold of winter, when half-spent was the night.

Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the rose I have in mind;
with Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright, she bore to men a Savior, when half-spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story, proclaimed by angels bright,
how Christ, the Lord of glory, was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found him, as angel heralds said.

This flow’r, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
dispels with glorious splendor the darkness ev’rywhere.
True man, yet very God; from sin and death he saves us and lightens ev’ry load.

O Savior, child of Mary, who felt our human woe;
O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know,
bring us at length, we pray, to the bright courts of heaven and to the endless day.

Third Lesson: Isaiah 40:1–5 Stanley Sollie (Dec. 23), Emma Flenner (Dec. 24)

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

And the Glory of the Lord George Frideric Handel

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together, For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Carol 195: Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come Antioch/arr. Colin Howland

Verse 1 = Parts, Verse 2 = Parts, Verse 3 = Unison, Verse 4 = Unison

Fourth Lesson: Luke 1:26–33 Jennifer Sweeney (Dec. 23), Brigida Norris (Dec. 24)

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name 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 father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Magnificat “Collegium Regale” Herbert Howells

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoic’d in God my Saviour: For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed, For he that is mighty hath magnified me, And holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath shew’d strength with his arm: He hath scatter’d the proud in th’imagination of their hearts: He hath put down the mighty from their seat, And hath exalted the humble and meek: He hath fill’d the hungry with good things, And the rich he hath sent empty away. He, rememb’ring his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, as he promised to our forefathers Abraham and his seed forever. Glory be to the Father, And to the Son, And to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Carol 230: Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor Quelle Est/arr. Colin Howland

Verse 1 = Parts, Verse 2 = Unison, Verse 3 = Unison

Fifth Lesson: Matthew 1:18–25 Dr. Gibson (Dec. 23), Michelle Conway-Bennett (Dec. 24)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

The Blessed Son of God Ralph Vaughan Williams

The blessed Son of God only in a crib full poor did lie;
With our poor flesh and our poor blood was clothed that everlasting good. Kyrie eleison.

The Lord Christ Jesu, God’s Son dear, was a guest a stranger here;
Us for to bring from misery, that we might live eternally. Kyrie eleison.

All this did he for us freely, for to declare his great mercy;
All Christendom be merry therefore, and give him thanks for evermore. Kyrie eleison.

Carol 214: Angels We Have Heard on High Gloria/arr. Colin Howland

Verse 1 = Parts, Verse 2 = Parts, Verse 3 = Unison

Sixth Lesson: Luke 2:8–14 Julia Kurtz (Dec. 23), Ralph Bremerman (Dec. 24)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Missa Carolae James Whitbourn

Sanctus

Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Benedictus

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis.

Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Homily Dr. Jonny Gibson

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen arr. J. Marty Cope

God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heav’nly 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.

“Fear not,” then said the angel, “Let nothing you affright;
this day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright,
to free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s pow’r and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
and with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
this holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.

Seventh Lesson: Matthew 2:1–12 Michael Miller (Dec. 23), Clive Stockdale (Dec. 24)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Infant King arr. Evelyn Larter
Suzannah Waddington, soprano

Sing lullaby! Lullaby baby, now reclining, sing lullaby! Hush, do not wake the Infant King.
Angels are watching, stars are shining over the place where He is lying. Sing lullaby!

Sing lullaby! Lullaby baby, gently sleeping, sing lullaby! Hush, do not wake the Infant King.
Soon will come sorrow with the morning, soon will come bitter grief and weeping. Sing lullaby.

Sing lullaby! Lullaby baby, sweetly sleeping, sing lullaby! Hush, do not wake the Infant King.
Soon comes the cross, the nails, the piercing, then in the grave at last reposing. Sing lullaby!

Sing lullaby! Lullaby baby, now awaking, sing lullaby! Hush, do not stir the Infant King.
Dreaming of Easter, gladsome morning, conquering death, its bondage breaking. Sing lullaby!

Carol: In The Bleak Midwinter Cranham/arr. Colin Howland

All Verses = Parts

Eighth Lesson: John 1:1–14 Dr. Gibson (Dec. 23 and 24)

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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Climb to the Top of the Highest Mountain Carolyn Jennings
Suzannah Waddington, soprano

Climb to the top of the highest mountain, Joyous tidings proclaim to the world,
Lift up your voice, Shout the good news: Behold, you Lord comes to you.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd, He will carry the lambs in his arms,
He will ever keep them safe from harm. Behold, your Lord comes to you.

He who made the stars in the heaven, He who fashioned the earth and the sea,
From time eternal he was God, the Alpha and Omega, He. Behold, your Lord!

He will come in power and glory, He will rule with mercy and truth, Hope of all the nations; Light of the world.
He will love the little children, He will hold them in his arms.
Love him and trust him as a child, Behold, your Lord comes to you. Trust him as a child.

Carol: Silent Night! Holy Night! Stille Nacht/arr. Colin Howland

Carol 203: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Mendelssohn/arr. David Willcocks

Verse 1 = Unison, Verse 2 = Parts, Verse 3 = Unison

Benediction

Postlude: Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella Keith Chapman