The Festival of
Nine Lessons and Carols was first held on Christmas Eve 1918. It was planned
by Eric Milner-White, who at the age of thirty-four had just been appointed
Dean of King's after experience as an army chaplain which had convinced
him that the Church of England needed more imaginative worship. A revision
of the Order of Service was made in 1919, involving rearrangement of the
lessons, and from that date the service has always begun with the hymn
'Once in royal David's city'.
These are only suggestions for the Lessons and the Carols (anthems). This
service may be adopted to your own order of worship, adding congregational
hymns, changing, adding or deleting the scripture lessons, adding poetry,
etc. It is a very flexible format for presenting the Christmas Story in
word and music.
Nine
Lessons and Carols
Order of Service
Then, all standing, this bidding prayer is said.
Beloved in Christ, this day it is our duty and delight to prepare ourselves
to hear again the message of the angels, and to go in heart and mind to
Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass, and the Babe, lying
in the manger.
Therefore let us hear again from Holy Scripture the tale of the loving
purposes of God from the first days until the glorious redemption brought
us by this holy Child; and let us make this house of prayer glad with
our carols of praise.
But first, because this of all things would rejoice Jesus' heart, let
us
pray to him for the needs of the whole world, and all his people; for
peace upon the earth he came to save, for love and unity within the one
Church he did build; for goodwill among all peoples.
And particularly at this time let us remember the poor, the cold, the
hungry, the oppressed; the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and the
unloved; the aged and the little children; and all who know not our Lord
Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.
Lastly let us remember all those who rejoice with us, but upon another
shore and in a greater light, that multitude who no one can number, whose
hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we
for evermore are one.
These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven,
in the words that Christ himself has taught us.
The Lord's Prayer Blessing (unison)
May the almighty God bless us with divine grace, may Christ give us the
joy of everlasting life, and unto the fellowship of the citizens above,
may the Spirit of Love bring us all. Amen.
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Carols
In
The Bleak Midwinter (SATB, Keyboard) - arr. Schweizer
(CD-ROM Project)
Let Me Love You, O Christ (SATB) - Ronald Turner
(CD-ROM
Project)
A Welcome Song (SATB, oboe, cello) - Gustav Holst (CD-ROM
Project)
Masters In This Hall (SATB
and organ) - William R. Price (SCP
Vol. 9)
Hark,
A Thrilling Voice (2-part canon) - William R. Price
(10 Panicked Singers)
Salvation
Is Created - Pavel Tchesnokov (SCP
Vol. 10)
First
Lesson
God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his
seed will bruise the serpent's head.
GENESIS 3
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the
cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence
of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called
unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy
voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid
myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten
of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And
the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of
the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is
this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me,
and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast
done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of
the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the
days of thy life: and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and
between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt
bruise his heel. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto
the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded
thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake;
in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and
thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of
the field; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return
unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and
unto dust shalt thou return.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
Adam Lay Ybounden - 7 settings of the medieval text
King Jesus Hath A Garden (SATB,org.) - arr. Shephard
(CD-ROM
Project)
The King Shall Come (SATB, keyboard) - arr.
George Mabry (SCP Vol. 7))
Of
the Father's Love Begotten - Thomas Gibbs
(SCP Vol. 10)
Second
Lesson
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations
of the earth be blessed.
GENESIS 22
And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second
time, and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou
hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that
in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy
seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea
shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy
seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast
obeyed my voice.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
Hark, A Herald Voice (two-part,keyboard)- Shephard
(CD-ROM
Project)
This Is The Truth (SATB, organ) - Ralph Vaughan Williams/arr. James Kirkby (SCP Vol. 7)
Jacobs Ladder (SATB) - John Stainer (SCP Vol. 8)
What Sweeter Music (SATB) - Ralph Vaughan Williams/ arr. Somervell (CD-ROM Project)
Christians Sing Out (SATB) - setting by Claude Goudimel (CD-ROM Project)
Christ the Lord Is Come To Earth (Two-Part, organ) - Jennifer Stammers (SCP Vol. 7)
A Child My Choice (SATB and organ) - Robert J.Powell (SCP Vol. 9)
The Father's Love - William Price (Quavers For Quires)
Third
Lesson
The prophet foretells the coming of the Saviour.
ISAIAH 9
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that
dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called wonderful Counsellor,
the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase
of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of
David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment
and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of
hosts will perform this.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
Christmas Day (unison, opt. SATB, keyboard) - Mark
Schweizer (CD-ROM
Project)
Now Come, Redeemer Of The Earth (2pt, kybd) - Praetorius/ arr. Gibbs (CD-ROM Project)
Veni Emmanuel (SATB, solos, organ, brass) - arr. Roland Martin (SCP Vol. 7)
Zion Hears The Watchmen Singing (Unison, Organ, opt. C inst.) - Bach/ arr. John Shannon (SCP Vol. 6)
For Unto Us A Child Is Born - Handel (Quavers For Quires)
In dulci jubilo - arr. Michael Bedford (SCP Vol. 10)
Fourth
Lesson
The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.
ISAIAH 11
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch
shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon
him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and
might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and shall
make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD. With righteousness
shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed;
their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw
like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall
not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full
of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
Lo, How A Rose Canon - Praetorius/Vulpius
(SCP
Vol. 7)
Lo, How A Rose E 'er Blooming (SATB), - arr. Schweizer
(CD-ROM
Project)
The Holly And The Ivy (SATB, organ) - Richard Shephard (CD-ROM
Project)
Savior Of The Nations, Come (SAB, organ) - Roger
Price (CD-ROM
Project)
Before The Paling of the Stars (Unison or 2-Part Choir and Organ) - Roland
E. Martin
(SCP Vol. 6)
Little Lamb (Mixed Choir) - Roland E. Martin
(SCP Vol. 6)
The Holly And The Ivy (2-part) - Richard Shephard
(10
Panicked Singers)
Dona Nobis Pacem (3-part canon) - arr. Barbara Wallace
(10
Panicked Singers)
The
Desert Shall Rejoice - Malcolm Archer (SCP
Vol. 10)
Down In Yon Forest - Kenton Coe (Sing With Joy)
Fifth Lesson
The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.
ST LUKE 1
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city
of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was
Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the
angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured,
the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw
him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner
of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary:
for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive
in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He
shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord
God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign
over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no
end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not
a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore
also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son
of God. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me
according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
Ave Maria (SATB) - Sergei Rachmaninoff (CD-ROM
Project)
The Bird Of Dawning (unison, organ) - Roland E. Martin (CD-ROM Project)
My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord (SATB, org.) - Michael Praetorius/ arr. Martin (CD-ROM Project)
The White Dove (SATB) - Johannes Brahms (CD-ROM Project)
Gabriel's Blessing (S and B solo, SATB, Organ) - Richard Shephard (CD-ROM Project)
There Is No Rose (unison, keyboard) - Roland E. Martin (CD-ROM Project)
A Virgin Unspotted (SATB) - William Billings (CD-ROM Project)
Jesu, Jesu (SATB, organ, chimes) - Kenton Coe (SCP Vol. 9)
Still, Still, Still - Richard Shephard (Sing With Joy)
Sixth
Lesson
St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
ST LUKE 2
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar
Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed,
every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out
of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which
is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so
it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped
him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
O Magnum Mysterium (SATB) - Cleamon Downs
(SCP
Vol. 7)
A Child Is Born (SATB, solo) - Samuel Scheidt
(CD-ROM
Project)
Andean Carol (SATB) - William Bradley Roberts
(CD-ROM
Project)
Away In A Manger (SATB, keyboard, C instr.) - David
Ashley White
(CD-ROM
Project)
The Bells At Speyer (SSATB) - Ludwig Senfl
(CD-ROM
Project)
Christmas Cantata (two-part, keyboard, 2 C instr.) - Johann
Vierdanck
(CD-ROM
Project)
Lullaby For The Sleeping Savior (SATB, keyboard) - Robert
Powell
(CD-ROM
Project)
Myn Lyking (SATB, keyboard) - R.R. Terry
(CD-ROM
Project)
O Lovely Child (two part or SAB, keyboard) - Johann
Schein
(CD-ROM
Project)
On Christmas Night (SATB, keyboard) - Ralph Vaughan
Williams
(CD-ROM
Project)
Sing Lullaby (SATB) - Richard Shephard
(CD-ROM
Project)
Sing, O Sing (two-part, bass instr.) - Anon.
(CD-ROM
Project)
Summer In Winter (SATB) - Arlen Clarke
(CD-ROM
Project)
The Virgin Mary Had-a One Son (SATB) - George Mabry
(CD-ROM
Project)
As Joseph Was A-Walking (SATB and Organ) - David Ashley White (SCP
Vol. 8)
Christmas Folksong (SATB and Organ) - Roland E.
Martin (SCP
Vol. 8)
Qui Creavit Celum (SA, Alto Solo, Organ) - Roland
E. Martin (SCP
Vol. 8)
When Christ Was Born (SATB, keyboard) - Richard
Shephard
(CD-ROM
Project)
Gates
and Doors (SATB and organ) - J. William Greene
(SCP
Vol. 9)
Jesus,
Gift Of God - Carson Cooman (Sing
With Joy)
What
Child Is This - Malcolm Archer (Quavers
For Quires)
He
Is Born, The Divine Christ Child - Arlen Clarke
(Sing
With Joy)
Seventh
Lesson
The shepherds go to the manger.
ST LUKE 2
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were
sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring
you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto
you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped
in swaddling clothes, 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, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it
came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and
see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto
us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe
lying in a manger.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
Riu, Riu Chiu (SATB,perc) - Mateo Fletcha
(in English)
(CD-ROM
Project)
Run,Ye Shepherds (SATB) - Passereau
(CD-ROM
Project)
See, Amid The Winter's Snow (two-part/SATB,kybd) - Humperdick
(CD-ROM
Project)
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks (SATB) - Dowland
(CD-ROM
Project)
See, The Dawn Is Breaking (SATB) - Morely
(CD-ROM
Project)
Gloria In Excelsis (SATB, organ) - Camille St.-Saëns
(CD-ROM
Project)
Glory Be To God (SAB, keyboard) - William Boyce
(CD-ROM
Project)
The Shepherds Play (TTBB solos, keyboard, flute) - Richard
Shephard (SCP Vol.
8)
I Wonder As I Wander (SATB, solos) - Richard Shephard
(CD-ROM
Project)
The Song of the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ (SATB, solos, 2 violins,
kybd) - Charpentier (SCP
Vol. 7)
Psallite Unigenito (SATB) - Michael Praetorius
(CD-ROM
Project)
Shepherd's,
Raise Your Sleepy Heads - Thomas Morley (2003
catalog!)
Eighth
Lesson
The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.
ST MATTHEW 2
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod
the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying,
Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in
the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these
things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered
all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded
of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem
of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem
in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for
out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then
Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently
what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,
Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him,
bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had
heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the
east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child
was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And
when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary
his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened
their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense,
and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return
to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
O Little Town Of Bethlehem (SSATB) - R. Vaughan
Williams/ arr. Schweizer
(CD-ROM
Project)
All From Saba Shall Come (SSATB) - Handle
(CD-ROM
Project)
As With Gladness (SATB) - 15th Cent.
(CD-ROM
Project)
Brightest And Best (two-part canon,keyboard) - Richard
Shephard
(CD-ROM
Project)
Salvator Mundi (SATB,organ) - Holst
(CD-ROM
Project)
What Star Is This (two-part,organ,cong.) - David
Ashley White
(CD-ROM
Project)
Where Is The King?(SATB) - Alfred Fedak
(CD-ROM
Project)
Earth
Has Many A Noble City (SATB and organ) - Richard
Shephard (SCP
Vol. 9)
What Star Is This? (3-part tallis canon) - Richard
Shephard
(10 Panicked
Orientis Partibus - Mark Schweizer (Sing With Joy)
Three Great Kings - arr. Mark Schweizer (Sing
With Joy)
Ninth
Lesson
St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
ST JOHN 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made
by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was
life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness;
and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose
name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light,
that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was
sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth
every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world
was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and
his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among
us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the
Father, full of grace and truth.
Thanks be to God
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Carols
Alleluia (SAB canon, keyboard) - William Boyce/
arr. Schweizer
(CD-ROM
Project)
Alleluia, Amen (SATB, keyboard) - Thomas Norris/
arr. Kirkby
(CD-ROM
Project)
This Little Light of Mine (SATB, Solo and Keyboard) - Ronald
Turner
(SCP Vol. 6)
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (SATB, org., opt. brass) - Gustav
Holst
(CD-ROM
Project)
Verbum Patris Hodie (SATB) - Mark Schweizer
(CD-ROM
Project)
Silent Night (SATB and Organ) - arr. Richard Shephard
(SCP
Vol. 8)
Let
All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (2-part canon) - William
R. Price (10 Panicked Singers))
In
The Beginning Was The Word - Carson Cooman
(SCP Vol. 10)
Salvation Is Created - Pavel Tchesnokov (SCP
Vol. 10)
Prayer and blessing
All remain standing.
Minister: The Lord be with you
People: And with thy spirit.
Minister:Let us pray.
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of
thy only son, Jesus Christ: Grant that as we joyfully receive him for
our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him, when he shall
come to be our judge; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit,
one God, world without end.
All: Amen
Minister: May he who by his Incarnation gathered into one things
earthly and heavenly, grant you the fullness of inward peace and goodwill;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be amongst you and remain with you always.
All: Amen
Hymn
Organ music after the service
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