Children will be dismissed for Junior and Children’s Church after singing Down in Yon Forest Notice the structure of this setting: verse 1 is like verse 7, 2 is like 6, and so on – this “Lo, How a Rose” (following the Fourth Lesson) Down in yon forest there stands a hall: The bells of paradise I heard them ring: is called chiastic structure, something that Bach used often. This anonymous poem It’s covered all over with purple and pall, And I love my Lord Jesus above anything. comes from New England in late 1700s, and this setting by (old) England’s Elizabeth

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE In that hall there stands a bed: It’s covered all over with scarlet so red: Poston (1967). The lyrics speak of great humility and of the joy that comes from surrender to Christ. Combined with Poston’s melodic arrangement, the result is a As the candle is lit, please quiet yourself, and prepare your heart for worship. At the bedside there lies a stone: Which the sweet Virgin Mary knelt upon: heartbreaking hymn of profound longing, a longing that, at long last, finds fulfillment Under that bed there runs a flood; The one half runs water, the other runs blood: only in the Son of God, evoking what Augustine once wrote about Christ: “Our hearts CAROL At the bed’s foot there grows a thorn: Which ever blows blossom since He was born: are restless until they rest in Thee.” The text praises Christ’s beauty, which “doth all “Noel!” Brad Holmes things excel,” and speaks of the glory of Christ, which we truly see only by faith; Over that bed the moon shines bright: Denoting our Saviour was born this night: Noel! and, it moves into realms of sublime theological depth, wherein the poet, speaking Noel! Noel! Jesu me kwisa ku zinga ti beto! This is a “folk song” (which Rutter arranged) that is derived from the centuries-old Irish personally and on behalf of the whole world, says, “For happiness I long have Kana nge zola ku zaba mwana, nge fwiti kwisa ku fukama. Breviary (used by Roman Catholic priests, monks, and nuns to pray the Divine Office). sought…I’m weary with my former toil.” Noel! Noel! Jesus is coming to live with us! The poem was entitled the “Corpus Christi Carol” and was used in worship in late May or If you want to know the Child, you have to kneel. June. Some have even suggested that the poem is related to Holy Grail mythology. The Sixth Lesson – Matthew 1:18-25 What a great way to be called to worship! I love the statement “If you want to know the thorn/blossom are most likely referring to the Glastonbury Thorn – legend says that this St. Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus. Child, you have to kneel” – think of the shepherds and the Magi. The music will inspire tree grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea when he brought the gospel to Great Readers: Sam Yin (8:30) and Lihua Ye (11:00), both in Mandarin your soul to kneel but your body to dance! This song (arranged by Brad Holmes) is sung Britain; the thorn-tree would supposedly bloom on Christmas Day each year. The imagery in Kituba dialect, which is spoken in Congo – where Blacknall continues to build long- clearly draws our attention away from the comfort of a cooing child to the stark, harsh CAROL term relationships through one of our Deep Common Journeys, and the homeland of our picture of a corpse, a stone, and blood – even the thorn has a Passion connection. It is by “I Am Changed” Will Todd own Eppy Kyanya. far the least carol-like song you will hear today, but it strongly reminds us of the bigger picture: the Incarnation leads to the Crucifixion. Bethlehem leads to Golgotha. I Am Changed

CALL TO WORSHIP and THE LORD’S PRAYER I have found an earthly throne, in this bare place, this humble home. Fourth Lesson – Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 The greatest love the world has known, Heaven’s child resting here below. CAROL “Comfort ye, My people, thus saith your God…” I have found where I belong. I have heard the perfect song; “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Readers: Somi Downey, in Korean (8:30); Elizabeth Brill, in French (11:00) Angel voices from above, Heaven’s child given by God’s love. All my tears are wiped away, I awake in God’s new day, I am born again today. I will make a promise true in my life Your work to do. I will give my all for You; First Lesson – Genesis 3:8-24 CAROL Heaven’s child, I am changed in You. Heaven’s child, born again with You. God announces in the Garden that the seed of woman “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” arr. Dave Stuntz Will Todd is a professional jazz pianist who has written some lush, incredibly expressive shall bruise the serpent’s head. Readers: Luke McCrary & Cameron Hart (8:30) carols – this is the third one we have used. Look in particular at the layers of the Sophia Smith & Emelia Smith (11:00) Fifth Lesson – Luke 1:26-38 transformation: “All my tears are wiped away” – here, it is at the moment of conversion The Angel Gabriel salutes the Virgin Mary. (change), anticipating the final tear-wiping (Revelation 21); “I awake” is the same, in that CAROL Readers: Listra Lubis (8:30) and Boy Purba (11:00), both in Bahasa Indonesia “we who once were dead” are now made fully awake, anticipating the resurrection; and, “I “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” am born again today” links this encounter with John 3 and the conversation with

Nicodemus. And then there’s my favorite, “I have heard the perfect song…” CAROL Second Lesson – Isaiah 9:2-7 “Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree” Elizabeth Poston Seventh Lesson – Luke 2:8-16 Christ’s birth and Kingdom are foretold. Hanke van den Ende, soloist The shepherds go to the manger. Readers: Jack Gerend (8:30); Esther Coonley (11:00) Readers: Leslie Olonyi (8:30) and Jovita Byemerwa (11:00), both in Swahili

Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree CAROL The tree of life, my soul hath seen, laden with fruit, and always green, The trees of nature, fruitless be, compar’d with Christ the apple tree. CAROLS “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” Daniel Gawthrop “Quem Pastores Laudavere” arr. John Rutter His beauty doth all things excel, by faith I know, but ne’er can tell “Sing We Now of Christmas” The traditional hymntune is rather robust – see if this introspective setting allows the The glory which I now can see, in Jesus Christ the apple tree. text to have “fresh legs.” For happiness I long have sought, and pleasure dearly I have bought; I miss’d of all, but now I see ‘tis found in Christ the apple tree. Quem Pastores Quem pastores laudavere, The One praised by the shepherds, Third Lesson – Isaiah 11:1-9 I’m weary with my former toil, here I will sit and rest awhile; Quibus angeli dixere, to whom the angels said, The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown. Under the shadow I will be, of Jesus Christ the apple tree. Absit vobis iam timere, “Now lay aside your fears,”

Readers: Asa Gerend, in Latin (8:30); Isela Coonley, in Spanish (11:00) Natus est rex gloriae. has been born the King of Glory. With great delight I’ll make my stay, there’s none shall fright my soul away; Ad quem magi ambulabant, To whom the wise men made their way, Among the sons of men I see, there’s none like Christ the apple tree. Aurum, thus, myrrham portabant, bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh, CAROL I’ll sit and eat this truth divine, it cheers my heart like spirit’l wine; Immolabant haec sincere which they offered with open hearts “Down in Yon Forest” arr. John Rutter And now this fruit is sweet to me, that grows on Christ the apple tree. Leoni victoriae. to the victorious Lion. James Junker, soloist This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, it keeps my dying faith alive; Christo regi, Deo nato, To Christ the King, born God, Which makes my soul in haste to be with Jesus Christ the apple tree. Per Mariam nobis dato, given to us through Mary, Merito resonet vere let there resound, as is truly fitting, Laus, honor et gloria. praise, honor and glory.

The tune, with this Latin text, dates to about 1400, its manuscript found at Hohenfurth Tenor: Rhett Davis, Janna Harton, Bob Larson, Chris LeGrand, Steve Nashland, Abbey in Germany. There is evidence that it first appeared in the same publication that Josh Riggs, Eric Solie included “Personent Hodie.” “Quem Pastores” became so popular (over time) that by about 1700 it could be found in numerous song collections for both Catholic and Protestant Bass: Rich Frothingham, Jonathan Harton, Joshua Harton, Paul Immanuel, congregations. It was reconfigured into duple meter (“mutilated” according to one source James Junker, Paul McKenna, Scott Silliman, Steve Smith, Sam Yin

I found) in England in the 19th Century – thankfully, today we enjoy John Rutter’s “healed” INSTRUMENTALISTS triple meter setting. Rhythmically, this piece is quite similar to many Christmas songs, a Violin: Sriya Dhupati, Tony Feng, Andrew Hartemink, Samuel Hayes, Scott Laird, gentle triple meter. My favorite phrase of the text is the reference to the infant Christ as Patrick Negus, Akshra Paimagam, Annie Scott, Sarah Solie the “victorious Lion.” (Note: Apparently, centuries ago, the 4 phrases of each verse were Viola: Kate Hunter, Hannah Rodgers-Gates, Anna Wade sung by 4 distinct choirs of boys. But, as we all know, not every tradition is worth Cello: Anna Jang, Ethan Rodgers-Gates, Brendan Rizzuto preserving…) Bass: Cael Laird, Anna Steed Flute: Nina Nair Clarinet: Ava Kinghorn, David Liu Oboe: John Nicholson, Allison Topper Horn: Kat Peters, Benjamin Rizzuto Eighth Lesson – Matthew 2:1-11 Trumpet: Jason Bodie, Bob Leslie, Jack Weinard The Magi come from afar to worship the infant Jesus. Percussion: Scott Laird, Bob & Donna Mutter, John Nicholson Readers: Wilco de Vries, in Dutch (8:30); George Olaru, in Romanian (11:00) Organ: Jane Lynch

NC School of Science & Math instrumentalists (italics) are all students of Scott Laird. CAROLS Program notes and orchestral arrangements by Dave Stuntz. “Christmas Lullaby” Jeffrey Van ***** “We Three Kings” I am in a phase of life that seems overflowing with tears – too many family deaths in Christmas Lullaby a small span of years: uncles, parents, siblings and a son. I feel their absence most A Service of Lessons and Carols Lullaby, lullaby, sleep wondrous child to my lullaby. keenly at this time of year; I know that many in the room completely understand, Heaven’s light radiant within the hay, all gathered here sing Thy mystery: because you also have an empty seat at your table. In such a season, when life seems on the Second Sunday of Advent How can this babe the answer be? Yet hear the angels so surely say: “Here! Here’s the One!” dominated by death, or perhaps fear, loneliness, or rejection – or the discord in our Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church society – our souls are longing to hear that song again, to hear that Voice inviting us Lullaby, lullaby, sleep wondrous child to my lullaby. to find comfort, hope, and even joy, to sing along with Him. Left alone, we are likely December 8, 2019 Peaceful and still all around Thy bed, outside in darkness a world of dread, to miss it. In our neediest moments, Christ invites us to be part of a community of Rest Thy head near us, O holy child; Stay, stay awhile. singers – He invites us to be part of His choir. The Festival of Lessons and Carols originated in 1880 in the city of Truro in The gentleness of the music is a good reminder: while the songs today delve into deep Singing in a choir is a remarkable thing. I have found choral singing to be a good Cornwall, England, by design of Truro’s Bishop, Edward White Benson. subjects, we celebrate the birth of an infant. So hush! Don’t wake the baby! metaphor for the Christian experience. For the singers, preparation for today is a pilgrimage, a long journey of community-making and music-learning, where the goal The nine Lessons are scripture passages beginning with the Genesis account of Ninth Lesson – John 1:1-18 is barely seen ahead of time. It is only at the absolute end – today – that we “arrive” God’s curse for the sin of mankind, followed by His promise of blessing, then St. John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation. musically. And as is true to our calling as Christ’s disciples, we who sing experience proceeding with selected prophesies about the Christ and passages concerning Readers: Jack Simonds (8:30), John Hamilton (11:00) the abundant life of community expressly for the purpose of giving ourselves away – His birth and associated events, concluding with John’s affirmation of His singing for others. The labor of hours and months blesses each of us, so that we in deity. CAROL turn can bless all of you. It is our gift, and our invitation, to you.

“The Word Was God” Rosephanye Powell The readings in other languages remind us of the larger world, and that the The music speaks to each of us in different ways as individuals, but it speaks most The Word Was God clearly when we sing it together. Isn’t that just like how God does things? I am not a Wise Men traveled “from far-off lands.” Many of the carols may be familiar In the beginning was the Word, holy man, but as part of God’s community, I am part of a holy nation. I best know His to you – if you are a non-soprano, please be encouraged to harmonize! Even if and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. voice when I hear Him in this community; His song is most profoundly speaking to singing from the projected lyrics, you can probably find a harmony line. The same was in the beginning with God. my heart when this choir, and this congregation, sing with me and to me. Especially However, if you are more comfortable singing the tune, do so. All things were made that have been made. Nothing was made He has not made. when I cannot remember the tune, you remind me of the Song of the Shepherd as you serenade me with His sweet harmony. The texts of the readings and songs provide a remarkably fully-orbed picture of Advent, as a season of seeking and seeing, of groaning and rejoicing. The Now honestly, did you imagine such a musical setting of that text?? What a gas! My son Jim understood my love affair with choral singing, how it helped me to hear culmination is John 1 – “and we have seen Him.” God’s voice. A line from a poem he sent me captures it: THE BREAD AND THE CUP This year, the focal point for the music comes from a tiny phrase in “I Am Aren’t we enlarged by the scale of what we’re able to desire? Changed.” CAROL – “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Inside these wrappings burns another, brighter life, quickened now by song. Do you hear it? CHOIR “I have heard the perfect song” -- in a way, this is the summation of the gospel; Soprano: Joanne Beckman, Lenore Brown, Louise Farmer, Erica Gringle, We like to think that we are longing for the Lord to make things right, but imagine taken together, the music this morning is our imperfect attempt to sing a Jeanie Hamilton, Rachel Hoffman, Cheryl Koenig, Leah Kyanya, how much greater is God’s longing for us to let Him do so, starting with our hearts. “perfect” song. Jesus the Good Shepherd is the descendant of King David the Elizabeth Langefeld, Susan LeGrand, Remy McKenna, Emily Palethorpe, He is the Father who runs to welcome the Prodigal home. The coming of Christ is as musician, and like His forebear, He is a singer – in fact, He is the Good Lou Ann Phelps, Lori Riggs, Bev Silliman, Carol Smith, Hanke van den Ende, if the Promised Land decided not to wait, but instead invaded the wilderness to Singer. In John’s gospel, He says that His sheep know His voice -- I think that Sarah Woodring embrace Israel. May we weep at the aching beauty of His song of desire, sung to us – Jesus, like every shepherd, sings to His sheep, such that we know His voice do you hear it? That’s the Choir’s prayer today: that we know Christ’s coming by the and the melody (the theme) of His song. My brother Bill said that the gospel Alto: Karen Allen, Kris Barman, Carolyn Beamer, Marcia Bridges, So-Mi Cowan, sweet harmony; that we, individually and corporately, are enlarged by desiring Him; Amy Feistel, Sherry Long, Ann Murphy, Carmen Nashland, Beth Sholtz, was a love song so achingly beautiful that you weep every time you hear it; that we recognize His invitation to us to come home, to live with Him, to sing with Karen Simons, Chelsea Smith, Ruth Smith, Amy Webster doesn’t that make you long to hear it, and hear it again? Him. He has come, Emmanuel, singing the perfect song. Hallelujah!

I have found where I belong; I have heard the perfect song.