Christmas Eve 2013 Midnight Communion Preacher: the Right Rev’D John Harrower OAM, Bishop of Tasmania Celebrant: the Very Rev’D Richard Humphrey, Dean of Hobart
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11pm Christmas Eve 2013 Midnight Communion Preacher: The Right Rev’d John Harrower OAM, Bishop of Tasmania Celebrant: The Very Rev’d Richard Humphrey, Dean of Hobart Proclaiming Jesus as Lord in the heart of Hobart. St. David’s Cathedral, Hobart Introduction The lights are extinguished; the Christmas Candle is lit in the High Sanctuary. The Dean says 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. John 1:1-5 All other candles are then lit from the Christmas Candle. The Nativity Scene is lit. 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. From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The Choir only sings Silent night, holy night: Silent night, holy night: All is calm, all is bright. Wondrous star, lend your light; Round the virgin mother and child, With the angels let us sing Holy infant so tender and mild, Alleluia to our King; Sleep in heavenly peace, Christ our Saviour is born, Sleep in heavenly peace. Christ our Saviour is born. All sing Silent night, holy night: Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing ‘Alleluia’; Christ the Saviour is born, Words: Joseph Mohr Christ the Saviour is born. Music: Franz Grüber Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your Incarnate Word: Grant that the Light of Christ, kindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives, so that all may see your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for all nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Dedication of the Christmas Crib The angel announced good news. “Today in the city of David a Saviour is born to you: He is Christ the Lord. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” The shepherds said “Let us see this which the Lord has told us about.” The Dean dedicates the Crib in the High Sanctuary saying In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we dedicate this crib of Christmas, as a visual symbol of the great love and the great humility of Jesus Christ your Son: who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human and so was God with us. Bless all who see it that they may join the shepherds in worship of their Saviour whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour, majesty, glory and worship, now and for ever. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to all on whom his favour rests. Amen. Midnight Communion Christmas 2013. Page 2 Processional Hymn: O little town of Bethlehem Words: Bishop Phillips Brooks Music: English trad, arr. Vaughan Williams; Descant: Thomas Armstrong O little town of Bethlehem, How silently, how silently, How still we see thee lie! The wondrous gift is giv’n! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep So God imparts to human hearts The silent stars go by: The blessings of his heav’n. Yet in thy dark streets shineth No ear may hear his coming; The everlasting light; But in this world of sin, The hope and fears of all the years Where meek souls will receive him, still Are met in thee to-night. The dear Christ enters in. O morning stars, together O holy Child of Bethlehem, Proclaim the holy birth, Descend to us, we pray; And praises sing to God the King, Cast out our sin, and enter in, And peace to men on earth. Be born in us today. For Christ is born of Mary; We hear the Christmas angels And, gathered all above, The great glad tidings tell: While mortals sleep, the angels keep O come to us, abide with us, Their watch of wond’ring love. Our Lord Immanuel. During the hymn the lights are turned on, the Christmas Candle is placed in the centre of the Advent wreath and all other candles are extinguished and will be collected by the stewards. Gathering in God’s name The Dean welcomes all to the Cathedral and says The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; for to us a child is born, to us a son is given. The Lord be with you and also with you. The Prayer of Preparation is said by all led by the Deacon with the people sitting or kneeling Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Confession and Absolution The Choir sings the Kyrie eleison Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy The Deacon says Christ the grace of God has dawned upon the world with healing for all. After a short pause for reflection, the Deacon continues Midnight Communion Christmas 2013. Page 3 Let us bring our weaknesses and infirmities to Him, confessing our sins in penitence and faith. Merciful God, our maker and our judge, we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, and in what we have failed to do: we have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves; we repent, and are sorry for all our sins. Father, forgive us. Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Bishop pronounces the Absolution Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to Him in faith: pardon you and set you free from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The congregation stands as the Choir sings the Gloria. Glory be to God on high, And in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, We worship thee, we glorify thee, We give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, That takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, Receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, Have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy: Thou only art the Lord; Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, Art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. The Collect for Christmas Night The Dean prays, Good and gracious God, who gave us your Son, the Lord of the Universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Saviour of all, lying in a manger; on this holy night draw us into the mystery of your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host that we may sing your glory on high. Give us a place among the shepherds that we may find the one for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The congregation sits for the readings. Midnight Communion Christmas 2013. Page 4 Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7 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. 3You 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. 4For 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. 5For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For 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. 7His 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. Hear the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 96 Sung by the Choir O SING unto the Lord a new song : sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth. 2 Sing unto the Lord, and praise his Name : be telling of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his honour unto the heathen and his wonders unto all people. 4 For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised : he is more to be feared than all gods. 5 As for all the gods of the heathen, they are but idols : but it is the Lord that made the heavens.