Choral Eucharist for Christmas Day will be livestreamed and available online at Holy Trinity’s YouTube site from 10.25am at
https://www.youtube.com/live/e1yTbpzM5u8
INTROIT: Ding Dong Merrily (arr. Llewelyn)
Ding Dong! merrily on high In heav'n the bells are ringing Ding, dong! verily the sky Is riv'n with angel singing Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis E'en so here below, below Let steeple bells be swungen And i-o, i-o, i-o By priest and people be sungen Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis Pray ye dutifully prime Your matin chime, ye ringers May ye beautifully rime Your evetime song, ye singers Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis.
WELCOME
OPENING HYMN
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,
Christ the Lord.
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,
Christ the Lord.
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,
Christ the Lord.
FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 9:2-7
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
HYMN
The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel!
SECOND LESSON: Micah 5. 2-5a:
A reading from the book of the prophet Micah
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labour has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.
ANTHEM: Gaudete Christus natus ex Maria (anon. ca. 12th century)
Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born Of the Virgin Mary – Rejoice!
The time of grace has come— What we have wished for; Songs of joy Let us give back faithfully. God has become man, With nature marvelling, The world has been renewed By the reigning Christ. The closed gate of Ezekiel Is passed through, Whence the light is risen; Salvation has been found. Therefore, let our assembly Now sing in brightness Let it bless the Lord: Salvation to our King.
THE GOSPEL: St Luke 2:1-16
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning,
Jesu, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord
SERMON
PEACE
We meet in Christ’s name
Let us share his peace
OFFERTORY HYMN
God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this day,
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray:
refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heavenly Father
A blessed angel came,
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name:
O tidings ...
The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
This blessed Babe to find:
O tidings ...
But when to Bethlehem they came,
Whereat this Infant lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling,
Unto the Lord did pray:
O tidings ...
Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth efface:
O tidings ...
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (stand)
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Worship and praise belong to you, Almighty God,
for you created all things; in you we live and move and have our being.
Your power is shown in land and sea and sky.
As a mother gathers her children,
so you gather your people,
to teach us the way of compassion and love.
On this holy day, you sent Christ your son to dwell among us;
by the message of an angel, to be born of the Virgin Mary.
You send your Holy Spirit to draw us into deeper faith,
to inspire us to greater works, to sustain us in our calling.
Now with all creation, who seek Christ
in the darkness and in the light,
we raise our voices in joy and praise,
singing the hymn of your unending Glory.
SANCTUS (to the setting in F by Harold Darke)
Holy holy Holy Lord God of Hosts:
Heaven and earth are full of Thy Glory:
Glory be to Thee O Lord Most High. Amen.
Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord:
Hosanna in the Highest.
Glory and thanksgiving be to you, most Holy God,
in Jesus Christ, who came among us as servant and King.
Through him, the light to all nations,
you call a people to yourself,
to deliver them from bondage to a land of promise,
where all your children shall be free.
On the night when he was given up to death
Alight with the vision of the kingdom
which his new life would bring,
at supper with his disciples
he took bread and offered you thanks.
He broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying,
‘Take, eat. This is my Body: it is broken for you.’
After supper, he took the cup, he offered you thanks,
and gave it to them saying:
‘Drink this, all of you.
This is my Blood of the new covenant;
it is poured out for you, and for all,
that sins may be forgiven.
Do this in remembrance of me.’
We now obey your Son’s command.
We recall his blessed passion and death,
his glorious resurrection and ascension;
and we look for the coming of his Kingdom.
Made one with him,
we offer you these gifts
and with them ourselves,
a single, holy, living sacrifice.
Hear us, most merciful God, and send your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and this wine,
that, overshadowed by his life-giving power,
they may be the Body and Blood of your Son,
and we may be kindled with the fire of your love
and renewed for the service of your Kingdom.
Help us, who are baptised
into the fellowship of Christ’s Body
to live and work to your praise and glory;
may we grow together in unity and love,
until at last, in your new creation,
we enter into our heritage
in the company of the Virgin Mary,
the apostles and prophets,
and of all our brothers and sisters
living and departed.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be to you,
Lord of all ages, world without end. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour Christ has commanded and taught us,
we are bold 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.
INVITATION
Gracious God, your holy light shines with the brightness of your love. As you come to us in this holy child, be with us now in your gifts of bread and wine.
COMMUNION
ANTHEM Myn Liking (RR Terry 1864-1938)
I saw a fair mayden syttin and sing. She lulled a lyttel childe, a sweetè lording. Lullay myn lyking, my dere sonne, my sweeting. Lullay my dere herte, myn own dere derling. That same Lord is he that made allè thing Of allè lord is He is Lord of allè kynges Kyng. There was a mickle melody at that chylde’s birth. All that were in heav’nly bliss, they made mickle mirth. Angels bright sang their song to that chyld; Blyssid be thou, and so be she, so meek and so mild.
HYMN
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.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
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.
THANKSGIVING AND SENDING OUT
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious.
And his mercy endures for ever.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Father of all,
This holy day, you have united earth and heaven
in sending your Son to take our human nature.
May we who have tasted heavenly things
share in the life of his eternal Kingdom.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
BLESSING
Now may Christ, who by his incarnation
gathered all things earthly and heavenly into a single peace,
fill us with all joy and peace in the power of believing.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with us, and all who need our prayers,
this night and for ever more. Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go in peace, to love and serve the Lord
In the Name of Christ. Amen.
HYMN
Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem:
Refrain: Hark! The herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb!
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel: Refrain
Hail the heaven-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 man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth: Refrain