Welcome Dr. Liam Goligher

Prelude: In Dulci Jubilo Sterling Procter/after Robert Pearsall Nicaea Brass

Invocation Dr. Goligher

Choral Introit: Comfort, Comfort John Ferguson

“Comfort, comfort ye my people, tell of peace!” so says our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load. To God’s people now proclaim that God’s pardon waits for them! Tell them that their war is over; God will reign in peace forever! For the herald’s voice is crying in the desert far and near, calling us to true repentance, since the Kingdom now is here. Oh that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way! Let the valleys rise to meet him, and the hills bow down to greet him! Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain! Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits his holy reign! For the glory of the Lord now o’er earth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token that God’s Word is never broken.

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

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him born the King of angels;

Refrain
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light;
lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
very God, begotten, not created; (Refrain)

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;
glory to God in the highest; (Refrain)

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning:
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; (Refrain)

Prayer

Glory to you, almighty God, for you sent your only-begotten Son, that we might have new life. Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for you became flesh and dwelt among us that we might become your people. Glory to you, Holy Spirit, for you direct and rule our lives. Glory to you, Almighty God, and to your Son, Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2, 6–7

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Benedictus in C Charles Villiers Stanford

(This is the “Song of Zechariah”, from Luke 1:67–80. He identifies his son, John the Baptist, as the “prophet of the Highest” who prepares the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus.)

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people; And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us, in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, which have been since the world began; That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, and to remember his holy covenant; To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, that he would give us; That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear; In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people for the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us; To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Second Lesson: Matthew 1:18–25

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

Carol 207: Good Christian Men, Rejoice In Dulci Jubilo/arr. Colin Howland

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
earth and heav’n before him bow, and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He hath opened heaven’s door, and man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, 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! Christ was born to save!

Third Lesson: Luke 2:8–14

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!”

Glory to God Christian Gregor/arr. Robert Elmore

Glory to God in the highest! And peace on earth, and good will towards men!

Whence Is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing? arr. Mack Wilberg

Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing, stealing our senses all away? Never the like did come a-blowing, shepherds, in flow’ry fields of May. Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing, stealing our senses all away? What is that light so brilliant, breaking here in the night across our eyes? Never so bright, the day-star waking, started to climb the morning skies! What is that light so brilliant, breaking, here in the night across our eyes? Bethlehem! there, in manger lying, find your Redeemer, haste away. Run ye, with eager footsteps hieing! Worship the Saviour born today. Bethlehem! there, in manger lying, find your Redeemer, haste away.

Fourth Lesson: Luke 2:15–20

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

While By the Sheep We Watched at Night arr. Colin Howland

While by the sheep we watched at night, glad tidings brought an angel bright. How great our joy! Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high! Praise we the Lord in heav’n on high! There shall be born, so he did say, in Bethlehem a child today. There shall the child lie in a stall, this child who shall redeem us all. This gift of God we’ll cherish well, that ever joy our hearts shall fill.

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

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but only his mother in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

Homily Dr. Goligher

Angels We Have Heard on High arr. Richard Price
Nicaea Brass

Fifth Lesson: John 1:1–14

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.

Creator of the Stars of Night Malcolm Archer

Creator of the stars of night, thy people’s everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, and hear thy servants when they call. Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride, as drew the world to eveningtide; proceeding from a virgin shrine, the Son of Man, yet all divine. At thy great name, exalted now, all knees must bend, all hearts must bow, and things in heaven and earth shall own that thou art Lord and King alone. To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One, laud, honor, might, and glory be from age to age eternally. Amen.

Sixth Lesson: Revelation 22:1–5

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Carol 210: Silent Night! Holy Night! Stille Nacht/arr. Colin Howland

See, Amid the Winter’s Snow arr. Dan Forrest

Alleluia. See, amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below, see the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years. Hail, thou ever-blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Alleluia. Lo, within a manger lies he who built the lofty skies, he, who, throned in light sublime, sits amid the cherubim. Hail, thou ever-blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Alleluia. Sacred infant, all divine, what a tender love was Thine, thus to come from highest bliss, down to such a world as this. Hail, thou ever-blessed morn! Hail, redemption’s happy dawn! Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Alleluia.

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

Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Refrain
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”

Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. (Refrain)

Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, ris’n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. (Refrain)

Benediction

Postlude: Gaudete arr. Todd Marchand