Carols and Prayers for Christmas
With Morning and Evening Prayer
Christmas Introit: [audio:christmas-int.mp3]
The Lord said to me; You are my Son;
I have begotten you, begotten you this day.
God speaks to the earth, the word speeds forth.
God speaks his word to Jacob,
to Israel his laws and decrees.
The Lord said to me; You are my Son;
I have begotten you, begotten you this day.
2 Let us pray:
Lord God,
we welcome your only begotten Son with joy as our redeemer.
Year by year, renew that joy
as we await the fulfilment of our redemption
by Jesus Christ our Lord, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.
3
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth;
for Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell:
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
4 Invocation: [audio:o-god-come.mp3]
O God, come to our aid:
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
Glory to the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.
5 Psalm 95 (a) [audio:ps-95-noel-bnc.mp3]
Today a Saviour is born for us. he is Christ the Lord.
Today a Saviour is born for us, Jesus Christ.
O sing to God a song that is new! Sing, heav’n and earth!
Proclaim the joy of his help this day! Sing praise to God !
Today a Saviour is born for us. he is Christ the Lord.
Today a Saviour is born for us, Jesus Christ.
Rejoice, you seas and thunder his praise! Sing, heav’n and earth!
For gift of the land and fruit that it bears! Sing praise to God!
Today a Saviour is born for us. he is Christ the Lord.
Today a Saviour is born for us, Jesus Christ.
O shake with joy, you trees of the wood! Sing, heav’n and earth!
Our king has come to bring justice and peace ! Sing praise to God.
Today a Saviour is born for us. he is Christ the Lord.
Today a Saviour is born for us, Jesus Christ.
6 A short reading : 1 John 1:1ss
Something which has existed since the beginning,
that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes,
that we have watched and touched with our hands, the Word who is life, this is our subject.
That life was made visible. We saw it and we are giving our testimony,
telling you of the eternal life which was with the Father, and has been made visible to us.
What we have seen and heard we are telling you, so that you too may be in union with us,
as we are as we are in union with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
7 Silent Night
Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright,
round yon virgin mother and child;
holy infant so tender and mild:
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night. Shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia:
Christ, the Saviour is born, Christ, the Saviour is born.
Silent night, holy night. Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace:
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
7 The Christmas Gospel: Luke 2 [audio:Chris-gospel-09.mp3]
Now at this time, Caesar Augustus issued a decree
That a census of the whole world should be taken.
This census, the first,
took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria,
and everyone went to their own town to be registered.
So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee,
And travelled up to Judaea,
To the town of David, called Bethlehem,
Since he was of David’s house and line,
In order to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,
who was with child.
While they were there the time came for her to have her child,
And she gave birth to a son, her firstborn.
Solo
In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch o’er their flock during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them.
They were terrified but the angel said: Do not be afraid. Listen! I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host praising God and singing:
9 Benedictus ( 2 verses) [audio:bened-ss-2vs.mp3]
Blest be the Lord the God of Israel,
who came to us; and brought us back from sin.
God raised for us a Saviour who is mighty;
his Saviour-Son from David’s house and line.
God promised this through holy men and women
who spoke for him down through the mists of time.
The Saviour comes to free us from our foes
from evil hands, from those who wish us ill.
So God’s great love for all his chosen people
is thus fulfilled; in these our present times.
God’s sacred oath his covenant most holy
is called to mind, his promises made true.
10 Intercessions
Angels announced in song
great news of joy and peace for all mankind.
Let our hearts ring with praise as we hear that news today
giving us a fresh vision of hope for the world.
Glory to God in the highest heavens and peace to all who enjoy his favour.
Shepherds heard the message of angels in the midst of their work.
Bless all those whose work is hidden and hard;
teach us how to find you in our daily lives.
Glory to God in the highest heavens and peace to all who enjoy his favour.
Mary and Joseph became your family,
blessed with your human presence.
Bless all our families today
as we celebrate with joy your coming among us.
Glory to God in the highest heavens and peace to all who enjoy his favour.
Mary and Joseph wondered at the events surrounding your birth, pondering them in their hearts.
Teach us to pray, give us that sense of wonder at your human birth.
Glory to God in the highest heavens and peace to all who enjoy his favour.
Wise men followed the star,
seeking the wisdom of God, living among us.
Bless all who search today for meaning in life,
and surprise them with the wonder of your love.
Glory to God in the highest heavens and peace to all who enjoy his favour.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
11 Alma Redemptoris Mater [audio:alma-redemptoris.mp3]
Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli
Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
Surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti,
Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.
Translation:
Loving Mother of our Savior, hear thou thy people’s cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.
12 O Holy Night: Adolphe Adam [audio:o-holy-night.mp3]
O! Holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
it is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error, pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope; the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, Oh night when Christ was Born;
O night divine! O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
here come the wise men from the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, he guardeth us from danger,
Behold your King, before the Lowly bend.
Behold your King, before the Lowly bend.
13 Organ trio
14 For an Evening Prayer
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:
O come let us adore him (3) Christ the Lord.
Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, gestant puellae viscera;
Natum videte regem angelorum.
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing all ye citizens of heaven above.
Glory to God in the highest:
O come let us adore him (3) Christ the Lord.
15 Let us pray:
Loving Father, from whom all life and love has come,
In the wonder of the incarnation
your eternal Word has brought to the eyes of faith
a new and radiant vision of your glory.
In him we see our God made visible
and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see.
As we celebrate the birth of your Son,
Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us,
may we also grow in love of all your children.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
16 Invocation
O God, come to our aid:
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
Glory to the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.
17
Ps 26: The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help.
The Lord is my light and my help:
of whom then, shall I be afraid?
The strength in my life is the Lord,
before whom shall I ever tremble?
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help.
One thing I ask of the Lord:
to live with him for evermore.
O Lord, hear my voice, in mercy answer!
I seek you, dismiss not your servant.
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help.
18 Let us pray:
Jesus, Emmanuel, born in a stable,
The light of stars and songs of angels
announced your presence among us
a sign of hope and new life.
Let us see today the peace that was proclaimed at your birth
so that we may live a new life of hope
and shine like stars in a troubled world.
We ask this in your name, Christ our Lord.
Amen.
19 Canticle: I bow my knees
I bow my knees before the Lord our God.
Each fam’ly comes from God:
The Spirit strengthen yours with inner power.
May Christ dwell in your hearts!
May you be filled now, filled with the fullness of God.
May you be filled now, filled with the fullness of God.
The Spirit strengthen you with inner power.
May Christ dwell in your hearts.
By faith may you be rooted and based in love
and know the love of Christ.
May you be filled now, filled with the fullness of God.
May you be filled now, filled with the fullness of God.
20 a short reading : Hebrews 1: 1-2
When in former times God spoke to our forefathers,
he spoke in fragmentary and varied fashion through the prophets.
But in this final age he has spoken to us in the Son
whom he has made heir to the whole universe,
and through whom he created all orders of existence.
21 Magnificat (tune Amazing Grace )
My soul proclaims the Lord my God, my Spirit sings his praise! . . . . . . . .
All glory to the Father, all glory to the Son,
all glory to the Spirit both now and evermore.
22 Intercessions
At Christmas the song of the angels rings throughout the world.
As we rejoice in their song
may we always acknowledge
that Christ brings peace for us all.
As we make our way together on our own earthly pilgrimage,
may the light of Christ shine in our hearts
and may we be guided by his presence.
All creation give witness to your glory.
With the shepherds of Bethlehem we bow in reverence
before the mystery of God’s love for the whole human family.
All creation give witness to your glory.
The wise men, representing power and authority,
brought their gifts, Oh God.
May we bring our gits to the Christ Child at this time.
All creation give witness to your glory.
Remember, O God, the people without a home at this time,
the men and women and families struggling.
May they know a place as Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child have done.
All creation give witness to your glory. Amen
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory
for ever. Amen.
23 Newman’s Blessing
May the Lord protect us all the day long
till the shades lengthen and ev’ning comes
and the busy world is hush’d and the ev’ning of life is over,
and the day is done, and the day is done.
May the Lord protect us all the day long
till the shades lengthen and ev’ning comes
and the busy world is hush’d and the ev’ning of life is over,
and the day is done, and the day is done.
Then in his goodness may God give us safe lodging and a holy rest,
and peace at the last, and peace at the last, and peace at the last.
Amen. Amen
24 organ Gigue: J S Bach
Copyright and acknowledgements: Introit: words © ICEL, music © Gerry Fitzpatrick. Ps 26 : Words taken from The Psalms : A New Translation published by William Collins & Co Ltd ã The Grail © The Grail, England. Music Gerry Fitzpatrick © Kevin Mayhew. Ps 95, the Canticle: I bow my knees, (A version of Ephesians 3: 14-19) words and music (c) Noel Donnelly. 2 verses of the Benedictus: © Stephen E Smyth; music © Gerry Fitzpatrick. My soul proclaims: Words Anne Carter R.S.C.J. based on the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55) (c) 1977 Religious of the Sacred Heart /Anne Carter RSCJ 1310 Winema, Chesterfield, Mo 63017. The Doxology is public domain. May the Lord protect you all the day long: Words by Cardinal Newman Music (c) Noel Donnelly. With particular thanks to The St Mungo Singers, with Jane McKenna, Noel Donnelly and Gerry Fitzpatrick at the organ. Prayers, readings and intercessions by Pat Graham, Tom Pollock and Gerry Fitzpatrick. Cantor for the Psalm and the Gospel: Grace Buckley. Solo for O Holy Night: Helen Healy. Alma Redemptoris intoned by Tommy Smith. Music reproduced under Calamus lic: 0269 and CCL Lic: 27398.
