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Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols
As you came in the stillness of night, God, enter our lives this night. Fill us with the light of Christ,
that we may clearly recognize the way to go, the truth to speak, and the life to live. As we peer
into the face of the child of Bethlehem, may we discover anew a world in need
of your love and redeeming grace. Amen.
Prelude Variations on “Love Came Down at Christmas,” no. 4, 6, 8. David N. Johnson
Dr. John Allegar, organ (1922-1987)
Two Carols for Brass arr. Michel Rondeau
In Dulci Jubilo (German Carol) (b. 1948)
Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly (Welsh Carol)
Festival Brass; Dr. Michelle Louer, conductor
Comfort, Comfort Ye My People arr. David Ashley White
Sanctuary Choir; Dr. Michelle Louer, conductor (b. 1944)
Comfort, comfort ye my people,
speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
comfort those who sit in darknes
mourning ‘neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them;
tell her that her sins I cover,
and her warfare now is over.
Hark, the voice of one that crieth
in the desert far and near,
calling us to new repentence
since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God away;
let the valleys rise to meet him
and the hills bow down to greet him.
Make ye straight what long was crooked,
make 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 the word is never broken.
Text: Isaiah 40:1-5; vers. Johann G. Olearious, 1671, tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt.
Wexford Carol (English Carol) arr. Richard Price
Festival Brass
O Holy Night Adolphe Adam
Will Upham, tenor soloist (1803-1856)
1. 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;
Chorus
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born.
O night, O holy night, O night divine.
2. 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 Orient land,
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend;
Chorus
He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger!
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King! before him bend!
Text: Oliver Ditson, 1875
* Call to Worship Charlotte Sturman
One: Light looked down and saw darkness.
All: “I will go there,” said Light.
One: Peace looked down and saw war.
All: “I will go there,” said Peace.
One: Love looked down and saw hatred.
All: “I will go there,” said Love.
One: So the Lord of Light, the Prince of Peace,
the King of Love came down and crept in beside us.
* Hymn #41 O Come, All Ye Faithful ADESTE FIDELIS
arr. David Willcocks
1. 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!
2. Choir
God of God, Light of Light,
Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, Begotten, not created: Refrain
3. Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation!
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest! Refrain
4. Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! Refrain
Welcome and Christmas Invocation Rev. Christopher A. Henry
If you are new to Second Presbyterian Church, we are so glad you’ve joined us on this sacred night.
Please complete a Welcome Card found in your pew rack if you would like to learn more
about the life of this faith community.
Lighting of the Christ Candle Quinn Miller
One: We light candles this holy night.
All: Candles of joy despite all the sadness.
One: Candles of hope where despair keeps watch.
All: Candles of courage where fear is ever present.
One: Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days.
All: Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens.
One: Candles of love to inspire our living.
All: O Lord, may these candles burn all the year long. Amen.
The Service of Lessons and Carols
First Lesson Christ’s Birth as Envisioned by Isaiah Rev. Gracie H. Payne
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
Carol O Nata Lux Morten Lauridsen
(b. 1943)
O nata lux de lumine, O Light born of Light,
Jesu redemptor saeculi, Jesus, redeemer of the world,
dignare clemens supplicum with kindness deign to receive
laudes precesque sumere. the praise and prayer of supplicants.
Qui carne quondam contegi. You who once deigned to be clothed in flesh
dignatus es pro perditis, for the sake of the lost,
nos membra confer effici. grant us to be made members
tui beati corporis. of your blessed body.
Text: Anonymous
Second Lesson A Vision of Peace Christ Will Bring Caroline Brundage
Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9
* Hymn #44 O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS
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.
For Christ is born of Mary;
And gathered all above.
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
Proclaim the holy birth!
And praises sing to God the King,
And peace to all the earth.
How silently, how silently,
The wonderous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
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!
Third Lesson Gabriel’s Announcement to Mary Tom Markey
Luke 1:26-35, 38
Carol Magnificat in D, BWV 243; I J.S. Bach
(1685-1750)
Magnificat anima mea Dominum. My soul doth magnify the Lord.
Text: Luke 1:46
Offering and Prayer of Gratitude and Dedication Rev. Karen L. Lang
Offertory A Christmas Blessing Phillip Stopford
(b. 1977)
May the joy of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
the worship of the wisemen
and the peace of the Christ child
be yours this Christmas.
May Christ, who by his incarnation
gathered into one all things earthly,
all things heavenly, and fill you with joy,
fill you with joy and peace.
And the blessing of God the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit
be with you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Text: adapted from the Church of Ireland Book of Common Prayer
Fourth Lesson Jesus is Born in Bethlehem Jack Brundage
Luke 2:1-7
Carol Away in a Manger arr. Mack Wilberg
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.
Text: Anonymous
Fifth Lesson The Angels Announce the Birth of Christ Ashley Bolton
Luke 2:8-20
* Hymn #31 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing MENDELSSOHN
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.”
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 in flesh with us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth,
Born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!
Sixth Lesson The Word Becomes Flesh to Live Among Us Grant VanNahmen
John 1:1-14
The Christmas Eve Meditation “Not Without Us” Rev. Christopher A. Henry
* Hymn #60 Silent Night, Holy Night STILLE NACHT
After you receive candlelight, please light your neighbor’s candle.
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 Savior is born, Christ the Savior 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.
Silent night, holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing, Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born!
* Charge and Benediction
* Hymn of Response #40 Joy to the World! ANTIOCH
Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns:
Let us our songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
* Postlude Variation on “Love Came Down at Christmas,” no. 9 David N. Johnson
(1922-1987)
At the end of the service, please return your candles and holders to the large containers at the doors.
On this holiest of nights, the staff of Second Presbyterian Church
wishes you a joyful Christmas season,
and a year full of the light and love of our Savior.