Festal Eucharist

President: The Right Revd Dr Mike Harrison Bishop of Dunwich

Preacher: The Very Reverend Joe Hawes Dean of St Edmundsbury

25 December 2020 Christmas Day 10.30 am

Welcome to St Edmundsbury Cathedral

We celebrate today the wonderful mystery of God’s coming among us, fully human - as Emmanuel, ‘God with us’ - born of Mary. The celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas is one of the two pillars of the Christian faith, and our Christmas services help us to recall, amid all the joyful customs and celebrations of Christmas, this central truth of the Word made flesh.

The festival of the incarnation has been celebrated in the church since the third century. The Christmas crib and the nativity play can both be said to have originated from the tableau of Christ’s birth that St Francis of Assisi arranged when he celebrated Christmas at Grecchio in 1223. The Christmas season is often thought to be just a period of twelve days, ending with the Epiphany. The church nowadays, however, keeps a much earlier tradition in which the season lasts for a full forty days, ending with Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, in February.

May Christmas bring to you, and all who you love, joy and peace as you ponder the mystery of Christ in our midst.

The musical setting for today’s service is Missa Santi Nicolai by Franz Joseph Haydn, 1732-1809

Front cover illustration: The Nativity 2008 - abstract art by Will Humes, Lutheran Pastor.

Members of the public are not permitted to take photographs or video recordings during services and events. We wish to inform you that the Cathedral may take photographs and/or videos at any time which may appear in the public domain including social media.

Service order extracts from Common Worship Services, © The Central Board of Finance of The Church of England. Music reproduced with permission - CCL Licence No 317297

Whether in person at the Cathedral or joining us online, welcome to this morning’s livestreamed Family Eucharist. As we are now permitted to come together, albeit in a limited manner, for public worship, the service will look slightly different to allow us to comply with government guidelines. There will be music from the organ and choir, but there will be no congregational hymns as congregational singing in church is still not permitted due to the risk of infection. Thank you for your understanding.

Music before the service played by Elli-Mae McGlone, Cathedral Organ Scholar:

The Holy Boy – John Ireland, 1879-1962 Three Versets on ‘Away in a Manger’ – Mark Blatchly, b. 1960 Chorale Prelude on In Dulci Jubilo (trio) – J.M. Bach, 1648-1694 Interlude on the Coventry Carol – William Lloyd Webber, 1914-1982

The Order of Service

¶ The Gathering

The Dean gives the Welcome.

Everyone is invited to stand, and the Dean says

The people who walked in darkness All have seen a great light.

For to us a child is born All to us a Son is given.

His name will be called Wonderful counsellor; mighty God, All everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Glory to God in the highest All and peace to his people on earth.

The Cathedral Choir sings O come, all ye faithful

Everyone remains standing. The Bishop greets everyone saying

We meet in the name of the  Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All Amen.

Peace be with you All and also with you.

The Lighting of the Advent Crown

The Bishop continues, saying

The central candle of the Advent crown is the candle of the Christ – the Word made flesh – the sign of the presence of the God of Love in our midst.

The candle is lit and the Bishop prays

Blessed are you, Sovereign Lord, King of Peace; to you be praise and glory for ever! The new light of your incarnate word gives gladness in our sorrow, and a presence in our isolation. Fill our lives with your light, until they overflow with gladness and praise. All Blessed be God for ever.

The Prayers of Penitence

Deacon The sun of righteousness has dawned with healing in his wings. In the presence of the light of Christ, we confess our sins in penitence and faith.

Everyone kneels or sits and silence is kept

Deacon We ask God’s healing, light and peace for ourselves and for his world. All Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

Bishop May God who loved the world so much that he sent his Son to be our Saviour forgive  you your sins and make you holy to serve him in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Everyone stands as the Choir sings

Gloria in Excelsis

Gloria in excelsis Deo, Glory be to God on high, et in terra pax hominibus and in earth peace, bonæ voluntatis. good will towards men. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, We praise thee, we bless thee, adoramus te, glorificamus te, we worship thee, we glorify thee, gratias agimus tibi we give thanks to thee propter magnam gloriam tuam, for thy great glory, Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, O Lord God, heavenly King, Deus Pater omnipotens. God the Father almighty. Domine Fili unigenite, O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christe; Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, qui tollis peccata mundi, that takest away the sins of the world, miserere nobis. have mercy upon us. Qui tollis peccata mundi, Thou that takest away the sins of suscipe deprecationem nostram. the world, receive our prayer. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Thou that sittest at the right hand of miserere nobis. God the Father, have mercy upon us. Quoniam tu solus sanctus; For thou only art holy; tu solus Dominus, thou only art the Lord, tu solus altissimus Jesu Christe, thou only, O Christ, Cum Sancto Spiritu with the Holy Ghost, art most high in gloria Dei Patris. in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Amen.

Everyone remains standing as the Bishop prays The Collect

Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

¶ The Liturgy of the Word

Everyone sits as Liz Steele, Cathedral Warden, reads

The New Testament Reading

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1.1-4, NRSV

For the word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.

Everyone stands for The Gospel Reading

Cantor Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Choir Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Cantor The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. Choir Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Deacon The Lord be with you All and also with you.

Deacon Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. All Glory to you, O Lord.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

John 1.1-14, NRSV

This is the Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, O Christ.

Everyone sits for The Sermon

The Very Reverend Joe Hawes Dean of St Edmundsbury

Music for Reflection

The sermon is followed by a time for reflection during which time Richard Cook will play:

'Whence is that goodly fragrance?' Harrison Oxley, 1933-2009

Everyone stands for

The Affirmation of Faith

Bishop Let us declare our faith in God.

All We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love.

We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high.

We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Everyone kneels or sits as the Sub Deacon leads

The Prayers of Intercession

Let us pray to Jesus our Saviour. Christ, born in a stable, give courage to all who are homeless. Jesus, Saviour, All hear our prayer.

Christ, for whom the angels sang, give the song of the kingdom to all who weep. Jesus, Saviour, All hear our prayer.

Christ, worshipped by the shepherds, give peace on earth to all who are oppressed. Jesus, Saviour, All hear our prayer.

Christ, before whom the wise men knelt, give humility and wisdom to all who govern. Jesus, Saviour, All hear our prayer.

Christ, whose radiance filled a lowly manger, give the glory of your resurrection to all who rest in you. Jesus, Saviour,

All hear our prayer.

All Jesus, Saviour, child of Mary, you know us and love us, you share our lives and hear our prayer. Glory to you for ever. Amen.

¶ The Liturgy of the Sacrament

Everyone stands as the Bishop leads The Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you All and also with you.

Deacon Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

If you have other members of your household with you, you may wish to share the peace with them now. If are alone, know Christ’s Peace to be with you now.

The Cathedral Choir sings

God rest you merry, gentlemen

Everyone remains standing for

The Prayer at the Preparation of the Table

Bishop Word made flesh, life of the world, in your incarnation you embraced our poverty: by your Spirit may we share your riches. All Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you All and also with you.

Lift up your hearts. All We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All It is right to give thanks and praise. 11

Bishop All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere, mighty creator, ever-living God. We give you thanks and praise for your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who for love of our fallen race humbled himself, was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of your Spirit, and lived as one of us.

In this mystery of the Word made flesh you have caused his light to shine in our hearts, to give knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

In him we see our God made visible and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot see. Therefore with all the angels of heaven we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name and sing our joyful hymn of praise:

Choir Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Holy, holy, holy Dominus Deus sabaoth. Lord God of hosts. Pleni sunt coeli et terra Heaven and earth are full gloria tua. of thy glory. Hosanna in excelsis. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.

Benedictus qui venit Blessed is he that cometh in nomine Domini. in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest.

Bishop Accept our praises, heavenly Father, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, and as we follow his example and obey his command, grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit these gifts of bread and wine may be to us his body and his blood;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Therefore, heavenly Father, we remember his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross; we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; we look for the coming of your kingdom, and with this bread and this cup we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

Deacon Jesus Christ is Lord: All Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free, you are the Saviour of the world.

Bishop Accept through him, our great high priest, this our sacrifice of thanks and praise, and as we eat and drink these holy gifts in the presence of your divine majesty, renew us by your Spirit, inspire us with your love and unite us in the body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with all who stand before you in earth and heaven, we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise: All Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

Everyone kneels as the consecrated bread and wine are raised in the sight of the people and the Sanctus bell is rung. The Lord’s Prayer

Bishop Rejoicing in the presence of God here in our midst, as Jesus taught us, so we pray:

All 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.

The Breaking of the Bread

Bishop We break the bread of life and that life is the light of the world: All God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.

Everyone remains kneeling as the Choir sings the

Agnus Dei

Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins mundi, miserere nobis. of the world, have mercy upon us.

Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins mundi, dona nobis pacem. of the world, grant us thy peace.

Spiritual Communion

‘Spiritual Communion’ is a historic practice in the church for anyone who cannot receive the bread and wine physically. It is possible because Communion is always a spiritual practice and not simply physical. Through God’s grace, whilst we cannot receive the bread and wine, we can still receive the sacrament in our hearts, and share in communion with Jesus. In making our communion spiritually, we are joining with Christians everywhere who cannot receive the bread and wine at this time. The following prayer is one form of words to use for Spiritual Communion.

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester

During the distribution of Communion, the Choir sings

Ding Dong! Merrily on high

Ding dong! merrily on high in heaven the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky is riven with angel-singing. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis! Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E’en so here below, below, let steeple bells be swungen, And “Io, io, io!” by priest and people sungen.

Gloria....

Pray you, dutifully prime your matin chime, ye ringers; May you beautifully rime your evetime song, ye singers Gloria....

Words: G R Woodward, 1848-1934 Music: 16th century French melody harmonised by Charles Wood, 1866-1926

‘Hallelujah’ chorus

Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

Hallelujah!

Music: Messiah, HWV 56, Georg Frederick Handel, 1685-1759

Everyone kneels as the Bishop leads

The Prayer after Communion

Bishop Let us pray:

God our Father, whose Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem: may the light of faith illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ the Lord. Amen.

Everyone sits as the Cathedral Choir sings

Hark! The herald Angels

16 ¶ The Dismissal

Everyone stands for

The Blessing

Bishop The Lord be with you All and also with you.

Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father,  the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Everyone remains standing as the Deacon says

God sent his angels from glory to bring to shepherds the good news of Jesus’s birth. All Amen. We thank you, Lord.

You have heard his story, the story of God’s own Son. All Amen. We thank you, Lord.

May he fill you with joy to bring this good news to others today. All Amen. We thank you, Lord.

Everyone remains standing as the procession moves to the west end and Elli- Mae McGlone plays

The Voluntary

Finale (Symphony No.1) Louis Vierne, 1870-1937

Please leave the Cathedral at the direction of the stewards. If you would like to make a donation please make your gift using the contactless giving box or by placing your donation into the giving box as you leave after the service.

Do please take your service sheet home with you. If you can, please maximise your gift by using and completing a gift aid envelope.

The Dean, Cathedral Clergy and Chapter wish you a blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

The Dean: The Very Reverend Joe Hawes The Canon Pastor & Sub Dean: The Reverend Canon Matthew Vernon The Canon Precentor: The Reverend Canon Philip Banks The Cathedral Curate: The Reverend Sarah Geileskey The Cathedral Curate: The Reverend Ben Edwards Assistant Director of Music: Richard Cook Conductor: William Saunders William Saunders is currently overseeing the Cathedral’s music in this period before our new Director of Music begins in May 2021