Organ Music 

David Willcocks Prelude on Irby 

Healey Willan This endrys nyght 

Léonce de Saint-Martin Berceuse de Noël 

Introit 

En natus est Emmanuel 

This day is born Emanuel, 
God with us! 
As foretold by Gabriel; 
God with us! 
God with us! a Saviour Christ the Lord. 

Text and music: Musae Sionae 1609 Michael Praetorius arr. Eric von Ibler 

Processional Hymn 

Unto us a boy is born!  
King of all creation,  
came he to a world forlorn,  
the Lord of every nation,  
the Lord of every nation.  
 

Cradled in a stall was he  
with sleepy cows and asses;  
and the very beasts could see  
that he all folk surpasses,  
that he all folk surpasses.  
 

Now may Mary's son, who came  
so long ago to love us,  
lead us all with hearts aflame  
unto the joys above us, 
unto the joys above us.  

Omega and Alpha he!  
Let the organ thunder,  
while we sing our songs with glee  
and rend the air asunder,  
and rend the air asunder. 
 

Text: Piae Cantiones 1582 Tr. Percy Dearmer 1867-1936 

Tune: Puer nobis CH4 331 Melody from Piae Cantiones 1582 

Scripture Sentences 

The Preces 

O Lord open thou our lips 

John Sanders 1933-2003 

Bidding 

Prayer 

Collect 

Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

First Lesson Colossians 3  12-17 

The Choir sings Psalm 148 

Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 

Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 

Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created. 

He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 

Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 

Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 

Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 

Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 

Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 

Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 

He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. 

Second Lesson St Luke 2  22-33 

Hymn 

When Mary brought her treasure 
unto the holy place, 
no human eye could measure 
the joy upon her face. 
He was but six weeks old, 
her dearest joy and pleasure, 
her silver and her gold. 
 

Then Simeon, on him gazing 
with wonder and with love, 
his aged voice up-raising 
gave thanks to God above: 
'Now welcome, sweet release! 
For I, my saviour praising, 
may die at last in peace.' 
 

And she, all sorrow scorning, 
rejoiced in Jesus' fame. 
The child her arms adorning 
shone softly like a flame 
that burns the long night through, 
and keeps from dusk till morning 
its vigil clear and true. 
 

As by the sun in splendour 
the flags of night are furled, 
so darkness shall surrender 
to Christ who lights the world: 
to Christ the Star of day, 
who once was small and tender, 
a candle's gentle ray. 
 

Text: Jan Struther 1901-1953 

Music: Ave Maria klare CH4 332 Psalteriolum Harmonicum 1642 

Sermon 

Anthem 

Ding! dong! merrily on high 
 

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 'Io, io, io!' 
By priest and people sungen: 
 

Pray you, dutifully prime 
Your matin chime, ye ringers! 

May you beautifully rime 
Your evetime song, ye singers! 
 

Text: George Ratcliffe Woodward 1848-1934 

Music: 16th century French melody arr. Mack Wilberg b.1955 

The Offering 

Prayer 

The Lord’s Prayer 

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in 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. 

Hymn  

Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour, 
yet, for love's sake, became so poor; 
leaving your throne in glad surrender, 
sapphire-paved courts for stable floor: 
Lord, you were rich beyond all splendour, 
yet, for love's sake, became so poor. 
 

You are our God beyond all praising, 
yet, for love's sake, became a man; 
stooping so low, but sinners raising 
heavenwards, by your eternal plan: 
you are our God, beyond all praising, 
yet for love's sake, became a man. 
 

Lord, you are love beyond all telling, 
Saviour and King, we worship you; 
Emmanuel, within us dwelling, 
make us and keep us pure and true: 
Lord, you are love beyond all telling, 
Saviour and King, we worship you. 
 

Quelle est cette odeur agréable CH4 318 French traditional arr. C.H.Kitson 1874-1944 

Text: Frank Houghton 1894-1972 From 2 Corinthians 8: 9 

Tune: Quelle est cette odeur agréable CH4 318 French traditional arr. C.H.Kitson 1874-1944 

Benediction 

Organ Voluntary 

J.S.Bach Pièce d‘Orgue BWV 572 

CCL Licence No 980930 

Streaming Licence 57837 

The service was conducted by The Rev. Dr George J.Whyte