ADVENT CAROL SERVICE on 1st December will be livestreamed and available online at Holy Trinity’s YouTube site from 6.25pm on Sunday at https://www.youtube.com/live/-6F1plu27p8
Welcome to this service of worship for Advent.
As we enter December it seems the world is full of Christmas. Presents, tinsel and chocolate line the shelves and there is no end of cheery Christmas music as sleighbells and familiar songs ring through the shops.
It seems odd then, that in the church there are no Christmas carols until nearly the day itself.
The church has always had a season of preparation for Christmas, and we hang on to Advent as long as we can! Christmas is a twelve day feast, but before then we come in quiet, in prayer as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the incarnation.
Much of the music of Advent goes back to the earliest days of the church. Our introit, Veni Redemptor Gentium, is the oldest song ever recorded, that is, the first recorded time that one tune was put to different words, ie verses. It goes back to the very early days of the church, in the third century AD.
Similarly, the Advent Antiphons, the Great O antiphons, have their roots in the pre-medieval church. They come from the sixth century AD, and it is astonishing to think that St Cuthbert and St Boisil may have known and sung them in their wooden monastery in Old Melrose fourteen hundred years ago.
These antiphons are of course the basis for the hymn of Advent, “O Come O Come Emmanuel”, and their history joins us with those many centuries of worshippers, in preparing for a God who was made man, and who was present to those early worshippers, and is present to us today.
INTROIT: Veni Redemptor Gentium
(3rd century plainsong arr. P Blackledge)
O Come, redeemer of the peoples, make manifest your virgin birth. Let every age in adoration fall before you, as befits the birth of the Lord of all.
Not from human seed, but from the Holy Spirit the Word of God has become flesh and the fruit of [Mary's womb] has come to maturity.
Now your crib shines bright and the night breathes/reveals its light, a light which no night shall obscure, and which shall shine with constant faith.
Let God come forth from his chamber’ to venture even into Hell, then back he journeys to the throne of God: God is present in his Temple.
(Words from a hymn by St Ambrose of Milan 339-397AD)
BIDDING PRAYER
ADVENT ANTIPHON - O SAPIENTIA
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
HYMN
O come, O come, Emmanuel!
Redeem thy captive Israel
That into exile drear is gone,
Far from the face of God's dear Son.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high!
Who madest all in earth and sky,
Creating man from dust and clay:
To us reveal salvation’s way.
Rejoice…
O Come, thou Lord of David’s Key!
The royal door fling wide and free;
Safeguard for us the heavenward road,
And bar the way to death's abode.
Rejoice…
O come, O come, thou Dayspring bright!
Pour on our souls thy healing light;
Dispel the long night's lingering gloom,
And pierce the shadows of the tomb.
Rejoice…
O come, desire of Nations! Show
Thy Kingly reign on earth below.
Tou Corner-stone, uniting all,
Restore the ruin of our fall.
Rejoice..
1st READING
ISAIAH 52:1-10
Isaiah proclaims good news
Awake, awake,
put on your strength, O Zion!
Put on your beautiful garments,
O Jerusalem, the holy city;
for the uncircumcised and the unclean
shall enter you no more.
Shake yourself from the dust, rise up,
O captive Jerusalem;
loose the bonds from your neck,
O captive daughter Zion!
For thus says the Lord: You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money. For thus says the Lord God: Long ago, my people went down into Egypt to reside there as aliens; the Assyrian, too, has oppressed them without cause. Now therefore, what am I doing here, says the Lord, seeing that my people are taken away without cause? Their rulers howl, says the Lord, and continually, all day long, my name is despised. Therefore my people shall know my name; therefore on that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
ANTHEM: I look from afar (G.P. de Palestrina 1525-1594)
I look from afar and lo I see the pow'r of God, the pow'r of God coming and a cloud, a cloud cov'ring the whole earth. Go ye out to meet Him, and say, "Tell us who art thou?" "Tell us, art thou He that should come to reign over thy people Israel?" High and low, rich and poor, are with another, go ye out to meet him, and say "Are you he that should come?" Hear, O Thou Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadeth Joseph like a sheep, Tell us, art thou he? Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come, Come to reign over thy people Israel!Glory be to God. Glory to the Son. Glory to the Spirit.
(words from the Matin responsory for Advent Sunday)
2nd READING
John 1:19-23
John, the forerunner, proclaims the Messiah
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.
ADVENT ANTIPHON : O RADIX JESSE
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and tarry not.
HYMN
Hills of the North, rejoice, Echoing songs arise,
Hail with united voice Him who made earth and skies:
He comes in righteousness and love,
He brings salvation from above.
Isles of the Southern seas, Sing to the listening earth,
Carry on every breeze Hope of a world’s new birth:
In Christ shall all be made anew,
His word is sure, his promise true.
Lands of the East, arise, He is your brightest morn,
Greet him with joyous eyes, Praise shall his path adorn:
The God whom you have longed to know
In Christ draws near, and calls you now.
Shores of the utmost West, Lands of the setting sun,
Welcome the heavenly guest In whom the dawn has come:
He brings a never-ending light
Who triumphed o’er our darkest night.
Shout, as you journey on, Songs be in every mouth,
Lo, from the North they come,
From East and West and South:
In Jesus all shall find their rest,
In him the sons of earth be blest.
3rd READING
Luke 1:5-23
Zechariah is visited by the Angel Gabriel
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
ANTHEM: O radiant Dawn (James MacMillan b1959)
O radiant Dawn Splendour of eternal Light, Sun of Justice:
Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
(from the O Antiphon, “O radix Jesse”)
4th READING
Luke 1:26-38
Mary is visited by the Angel Gabriel
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him 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 ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
ANTHEM: Gabriel’s message
(old Basqe carol arr. E. Pettman 1866-1943)
The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame: "All hail” said he, “Thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!
"For known a blessed mother thou shalt be, All generations laud and honour thee; Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold, Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head; "To me be as it pleaseth God," she said. "My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name." Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn, And Christian folk through-out the world will ever say: "Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!
(words by S. Baring-Gould 1934-1924)
ADVENT ANTIPHON: O ORIENS
O Morning Star, splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness: Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. O King of the nations, and their desire, the cornerstone making both one: Come and save the human race, which you fashioned from clay
HYMN
Wake, O wake! with tidings thrilling
The watchmen all the air are filling,
Arise, Jerusalem, arise!
Midnight strikes! no more delaying,
'The hour has come!' we hear them saying.
Where are ye all, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes in sight,
Raise high your torches bright!
Alleluya!
The wedding song Swells loud and strong:
Go forth and join the festal throng.
Sion hears the watchmen shouting,
Her heart leaps up with joy undoubting,
She stands and waits with eager eyes;
See her Friend from heaven descending,
Adorned with truth and grace unending!
Her light burns clear, her star doth rise.
Now come, thou precious Crown,
Lord Jesu, God’s own Son!
Hosanna!
Let us prepare To follow there,
Where in thy supper we may share.
Every soul in thee rejoices;
From men and from angelic voices
Be glory given to thee alone!
Now the gates of pearl receive us,
Thy presence never more shall leave us,
We stand with Angels round thy throne.
Earth cannot give below
The bliss thou dost bestow.
Alleluya!
Grant us to raise, To length of days,
The triumph-chorus of thy praise.
5th READING
Isaiah 7:11-15
Isaiah foretells the coming of the Christ
Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.
ANTHEM: Magnificat in F (George Dyson 1883-1964)
My soul doth magnify the Lord; and my spirit hath rejoiced 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 shewed strength with his arm, He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. 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.
(Words from Luke Chapter 1:46-55)
THE PRAYERS
ANTHEM: O Nata Lux (Thomas Tallis 1505-1585)
O Light born of Light, Jesus, redeemer of the world, with loving-kindness deign to receive suppliant praise and prayer.
Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh for the sake of the lost, grant us to be members of thy blessed body.
(anon 10th century latin hymn)
HYMN
Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for favoured sinners slain;
Thousand thousand Saints attending
Swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia
God appears, on earth to reign.
Every eye shall now behold him
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at nought and sold him,
Pierced and nailed him to the tree.
Deeply wailing
Shall the true Messiah see.
Those dear tokens of his passion
Still his dazzling body bears,
Cause of endless exultation
To his ransomed worshippers:
With what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!
Yea, Amen! Let all adore thee,
High on thine eternal throne;
Saviour, take the power and glory:
Claim the kingdom for thine own:
O come quickly!
Alleluia! Come, Lord, Come!
BLESSING
VOLUNTARY
CHORAL CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Sun 22nd Dec. 6.30pm Service of nine lessons and carols
Tue 24th Dec. 6.00pm Christingle (in the parish church)
Tue 24th Dec. 11.00pm Service of the Nativity
Wed 25th Dec. 10.30am Christmas Day Eucharist
Sun 5th Jan. 6.30pm Epiphany Carol Service
For more information about the church, please email the Rector philipblackledge@gmail.com or phone 07977 330074