Towards Christmas In this service we trace the way to Christmas from the announcement made to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel to the birth of Jesus, from Nazareth to Bethlehem. On this journey, which we make in heart and mind, we pause at each of nine stations, to reflect and pray with the help of pictures, which will be displayed above the choir. 6.30pm Sunday 20th December 2015 St Wilfrid s Church, Gilstead.
Introduction 1. Carol (stand): Verse 1 SOLO. Verse 2 CHOIR ONLY. 3. [ALL] And our eyes at last shall see him, Through his own redeeming love, For that child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above; And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.
2. Words of Welcome & Introduction. 3. Opening Prayer: V. Almighty God, whose blessed Son took our human nature so that we might regain our lost innocence and be restored to the divine image that was disfigured by sin, grant that as we meditate on the mystery of his humanity we may share the glory of his divinity, who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. R. Amen. Station One: The Annunciation 4. First Reading (sit): The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1.26-38) V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your wonderful nativity you have given us new birth. 5. Carol (stand): The angel Gabriel from heaven came (Trad. Basque) SEE NEXT PAGE
Verse 1 FULL. Verse 2 Fa-burden, Tenors sing words, other parts hum. Verse 3 Sopranos sing words, other parts hum. Verse 4 FULL.
6. Carol: 1. [ALL] A maiden most gentle and tender we sing of Mary the mother of Jesus our King. Ave, ave, ave Maria! (rpt) 2. [WOMEN] How blessed is the birth of her heavenly Child, Who came to redeem us in Mary so mild. Ave, ave, ave Maria! (rpt) 3. [MEN] The Archangel Gabriel foretold by his call The Lord of Creation and Saviour of all. Ave, ave, ave Maria! (rpt) 4. [ALL] Rejoice and be glad at this Christmas we pray, Sing praise to the Saviour, sing endless Ave! Ave, ave, ave Maria! (rpt)
Station Two: The Visitation 7. Second Reading (sit): Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1.39-55) V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your wonderful nativity you have given us new birth. 8. Magnificat (stand): Response (R.):
1. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; he has looked with favour on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed; R. 2. the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name. He has mercy on those who fear him, from generation to generation. R. 3. He has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit, Casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. R. 4. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy, The promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children for ever. R.
9. Carol: 1. [ALL] With Mary let my soul rejoice, and bless God s holy name his saving love from first to last, from age to age the same! 2. [MEN] How strong his arm, how great his power! The proud he will disown; the meek and humble he exalts to share his glorious throne. 3. [ALL] The rich our God will send away and feed the hungry poor; the arms of love remain outstretched at mercy s open door. 4. [WOMEN] So shall God s promise be fulfilled, to Israel firmly made: a child is born, a Son is given whose crown will never fade. 5. [ALL] All glory to the Father, Son and Spirit now proclaim; with Mary let the world rejoice and praise God s holy name!
Station Three: The Birth of John the Baptist 10. Third Reading (sit): John is born. (Luke 1.57-80) V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your wonderful nativity you have given us new birth. 11. Carol (stand): O comfort my people (Waddell / Trad. Irish) 2. Proclaim to the cities of Judah my word; that `gentle yet strong is the hand of the Lord. I rescue the captives, my people defend, and bring them to justice and joy without end.' 3. All mountains and hills shall become as a plain, for vanished are mourning and hunger and pain. And never again shall these war against you. Behold I come quickly to make all things new.'
12. Carol: 1. [ALL] On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry announces that the Lord is nigh; come then and listen for he brings glad tidings from the King of kings. 2. Then cleansed be every heart from sin; make straight the way for God within; prepare we in our hearts a home, where such a mighty guest may come. 3. [WOMEN] For You are our salvation, Lord, our refuge and our great reward; without Your grace we waste away, like flowers that wither and decay. 4. [MEN] To heal the sick stretch out Your hand, make wholeness flow at Your command; sin's devastation now restore earth's own true loveliness once more. 5. [ALL] To Him who left the throne of heaven to save mankind, all praise be given; to God the Father, voices raise, and Holy Spirit, let us praise. (NEH 12) Station Four: Joseph's Dream 13. Fourth Reading (sit): God speaks to Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1.18-25) V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your wonderful Nativity you have given us new birth. 14. Carol (stand): Joseph s Carol (Bath / Bath) SEE NEXT PAGES
15. Carol: 1. [ALL] Joseph, be our guide and pattern, Faithful to your sacred trust, Strong protector of the Virgin And the infant Jesus Christ. 2. Faithful to the guiding vision, List ning to the angel s word; Shielding Mary from all slander, Guarding Christ, both Son and Lord. 3. Leading them through many dangers To the home in Nazareth, Humbly for their needs providing In your wise and steadfast faith. 4. Honour, glory, virtue, merit, To the Father and the Son, With the co-eternal Spirit, While unending ages run. Station Five: Bethlehem 16. Fifth Reading (sit): Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem (Luke 2.1-5) V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your wonderful nativity you have given us new birth. 17. Carol (stand): O Bethlehem! (Traditional Basque, arr. Poston) SEE NEXT PAGES
18. Carol:
Station Six: The Birth of Jesus 19. Sixth Reading (sit): Mary gives birth to Jesus (Luke 2.6-7) V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your wonderful nativity you have given us new birth. 20. Carol (stand): Lovely in your littleness (Hayes/Rizza)
21. Carol: Station Seven: Shepherds and Angels 22. V. R. Seventh Reading (sit): Shepherds hear of the birth (Luke 2.8-14) We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your wonderful nativity you have given us new birth. 23. Carol (stand): SEE NEXT PAGE
1. [ALL] What is this lovely fragrance stealing? Shepherds that fills the winter air Never was sweetness so appealing Never were flowers of spring so fair What is this lovely fragrance stealing? Shepherds that fills the winter air 2. What is this light so fair, so tender Breaking upon our wond'ring eyes Never the morning star so radiant Followed his course o'er eastern skies What is this light so fair, so tender Breaking upon our wond'ring eyes 3. What is this wonder all around us Filling the air with music light? Shepherds, some magic here hath found us Never mine ears knew such delight What is this wonder all around us Filling the air with music light? 4. What is this lovely fragrance stealing? Shepherds, it sets my heart astir Never was sweetness so appealing Never were flowers of spring so fair What is this lovely fragrance stealing? Shepherds, it sets my heart astir
Station Eight: Shepherds at the Manger 24. Eighth Reading (sit): The shepherds come to the manger (Luke 2.15-20) V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your wonderful nativity you have given us new birth. 25. Carol (stand):
26. Carol: 3. "To you in David's town this day Is born of David's line A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; And this shall be the sign: 4. The heavenly Babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid." 5. Thus spake the Seraph; and forthwith appeared a shining throng Of angels praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song: 6. "All glory be to God on high, And on the earth be peace; Good-will henceforth from heaven to men Begin and never cease.
Station Nine: The Mystery of the Incarnation 27. Ninth Reading (REMAIN STANDING): St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. (John 1.1-14) V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. R. Because by your wonderful nativity you have given us new birth. 28. Carol:
After the Stations 29. Prayers (kneel). V. Almighty God, grant to us, who have followed our Lord through the time of his coming to earth, the peace promised by the angels, the simple trust of the shepherds, and the love of the Holy Family in our homes and in all our lives, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. R. Amen. Jesus taught us to call God our Father, and so we have the courage to say: 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. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 30. The Blessing. V. May God give you grace to follow the example of Christ, and bring you through the power of his Incarnation to eternal life, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. R. Amen.
31. Carol (stand): 1. [ALL] 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, O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord! 2. God of God, Light of Light, Lo! he abhors not the Virgin s womb; Very God, Begotten, not created: O come let us adore him 3. 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