PARK STREET CHURCH presents A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 13, 7:00 pm Park Street Church · Boston, Massachusetts Historical Note The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols was first sung in this wooden building which served as the first Truro cathedral; it is said that the Rt. Reverend Edward White Benson, who originated the service in 1880, chose the time of 10:00 pm on Christmas Eve in order to “get the men out of the pubs early so they would not be drunk for the midnight service.” In 1918, Eric Milner-White, Dean of King’s College, Cambridge, adapted the service for use in the chapel at King’s. The ser- vice has remained virtually unchanged since that time, and has spread through all the world. The hymns and carols vary in each service (though it is traditional to begin with Once in Royal David’s City), but the readings and other spoken portions are always the same, even, traditionally, retaining the well-loved King James translation. The sound of the same words, year after year, becomes an echo of the unchanging significance and reality of the story. The music takes the role of reflecting on each text and exhorting the congregation. The tone of this worship service is both solemn and joyful, reflecting the intimidating grandeur of the story—from Fall to Incarnation—and rejoicing in the love of God and the redemption that is ours through Christ.
Instruction Please enter the sanctuary in silence, preparing yourself to join with this assembly in the worship of Almighty God. Please do not applaud during this service. The music performed by the choir and orchestra is primarily presented as an offering—a sacrifice of praise—to God, on behalf of the congregation. When the choir sings, it is an agent of the whole church, not a separate entity. When we come together, we are all worshipping as a community, even if we are not all singing, so to applaud during the service is, in a sense, to applaud for oneself.
The service proceeds without announcement. Please follow the order of service, reading loudly the bold text and singing hymns. The congregation stands (and sits) when indicated, immediately following the conclusion of the previous reading or carol, not waiting for a cue or introduction.
Women and all children sing hymn stanzas marked trebles; men sing stanzas marked men; all sing stanzas that are not otherwise labeled.
Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices. If it is necessary to leave or reenter during the service, please do so only during a hymn if possible, so as to minimize distraction. PRELUDE Pastoral Symphony (from Messiah) G.F. Handel BIDDING PRAYER “There were shepherds abiding in the fields.” (1685–1759) Minister: Beloved in Christ, be it this Advent our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels: in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem ¶ The congregation stands immediately at the conclusion of the prelude. and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.
HYMN Once in Royal David’s City Irby Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by this Holy stanza 1: Soli stanza 2: Choir Child; and let us make this church glad with our carols of praise. Once in royal David’s city He came down to earth from heaven, stood a lowly cattle shed, who is God and Lord of all, But first let us pray for the needs of his whole world, and all his people; for peace upon where a mother laid her baby and his shelter was a stable, the earth he came to save; for love and unity within the one Church he did build; and in a manger for his bed: and his cradle was a stall; for brotherhood and goodwill amongst all men, and especially in this city of Boston. Mary was that mother mild, with the poor, and mean, the lowly, Jesus Christ her little child. lived on earth our Savior holy. (silent prayer) stanzas 3-6: All And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick in body and in mind and them that mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; all who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have 3. We, like Ma - ry, rest con --found ed that a grieved his heart of love. 4. For he is our child --hood’s pat tern; day by (silent prayer) 5. And our eyes at last shall see him, through his 6. Not in that poor low-- ly sta ble, with the Lastly let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we forevermore are one. sta -ble should dis --play hea ven's Word, the world's cre - (silent prayer) day, like us he grew; he was lit - tle, weak and own re --deem ing love; for that child so dear and These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words ox --en stand ing round, we shall see him; but in which Christ himself hath taught us: 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 coming day’s bread; a --tor, cra dled there on Christ-mas Day, yet this And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; help - less, tears and smiles like us he knew; and he And lead us not into trial, but deliver us from the Evil One. gen - tle is our Lord in heav’n a - bove; and he For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. heav - en, where his saints his throne sur --round: Christ, re The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. child, our Lord and brother, brought us love for one an --oth er. All: Amen. feel - eth for our sadness, and he shar --eth in our glad ness. ¶ leads His chil-dren on to the place where he is gone. The congregation sits. vealed to faith - ful eye, set at God’s right hand on high.
Words: sts. 1–21-2 & 4-6,4–6, 18481848 | Cecil FrancesFrances Alexande Alexanderr (1818-1895) (1818–1985) st.st. 3,3, 19821982 || JamesJames WaringWaring McCradyMcCrady (b. 19381938)) Music: 1849 | Henry J. Gauntlett (1805-1876)(1805–1876) 87. 87. 87. 87. 77 77 Words of st. 3 © James Waring McCrady,McCrady, 1982. 1982. ReprintedReprinted under Onelicense.net no. no. A-721487 A-721487 CAROL Star Carol CAROL Adam Lay Ybounden Lisa Bloom, mezzo-soprano Sing this night, for a boy is born in Bethlehem, Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies; Adam lay ybounden, Ne had the apple taken been, bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle, bounden in a bond; the apple taken been, hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! four thousand winter ne had never our lady thought he not too long. abeen heavenè queen. See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas Night! And all was for an apple, Blessèd be the time Follow me joyfully; an apple that he took, that apple taken was, hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! as clerkès finden therefore we moun singen, written in their book. Deo gracias! Angels bright, come from heaven’s highest glory, Note: Mediæval understanding of Old Testament chronology gave a space of 4,000 years between Adam’s bear the news with its message of good cheer: Fall and Jesus’ remedy of salvation. St. 3 refers to Mary as heavenly queen, an understanding foreign to the Sing, rejoice, for a King is come to save us, Congregational tradition: in ancient Israel, the King’s mother received the title of queen by virtue of her son; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! it was an ex officio title. Over time, the term has taken on more complexity and significance in the Roman Catholic church, but the simple understanding suffices here; “all generations shall call me blessed.” St. 4 See, he lies in his mother’s tender keeping refers to the idea of the Fall as a “blessed fault” felix culpa. In Aquinas’ words, “For God judged it better to bring good out of evil than not to permit any evil to exist.” Jesus Christ in her loving arms asleep shepherds poor, come to worship and adore him, Words: 15th century offer their humble gifts before the son of Mary! Music: 1922 | Peter Warlock (1894–1930)
Let us all pay our homage at the manger, ¶ The congregation stands. sing his praise on this joyful Christmas Night; Christ is come, bringing promise of salvation; HYMN Mendelssohn hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary! stanza 1: Come, Desire of Nations, come, fix in us thy humble home; Words and Music: 1972 | John Rutter (b. 1945) Words © Oxford University Press. Reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net no. A-721487 rise, the woman’s conqu’ring seed, bruise in us the serpent’s head. now display thy saving pow’r, ruined nature now restore; now in mystic union join thine to ours, and ours to thine. FIRST LESSON Genesis 3 Hark! the herald-angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King!” reader: a boy stanza 2: Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, stamp thine image in its place: God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise Second Adam from above, reinstate us in thy love. and that his seed will bruise the serpent’s head. Let us thee, though lost, regain, thee, the life, the inner man: nd they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the O! to all thyself impart, formed in each believing heart. Aday: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God Hark! the herald-angels sing,“Glory to the newborn King!” amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto Words: 1739 | Charles Wesley (1707–1788) him, “Where art thou?” And he said, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, Music: 1840 | Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) arr. 1855 | William H. Cummings (1831–1915) 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 ¶ The congregation sits. 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.”
Thanks be to God. SECOND LESSON Genesis 22 ¶ The congregation stands. reader: the manager of facilities HYMN Break Forth, O Beautous Heav’nly Light Ermuntre dich God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. nd 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, Break forth, O beau-- teous heaven ly light, and ush - er in the andA 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. CAROL Sweet Was The Song Jennifer Schmunk, soprano morn-- ing; ye shep herds, shrink not with af- fright, but Sweet was the song the Virgin sang, when she to Bethlehem Juda came, and was deliver’d of a son, that blessed Jesus hath to name. Lulla, lullaby, “Sweet Babe,” sang she, † “My Son, and eke a savior born, hear the an-- gel’s warn ing. This child, now weak in who hast vouchsafed† from on high to see us that were forlorn.” “Lalula, lullaby, sweet babe,” sang she, and rocked him sweetly on her knee. †eke: also | vouchsafed: graciously granted th Words: William Ballet (17 century) Music: 2010 | Alf Houkom (b. 1935) in-- fan cy, our con- fi- dence and joy shall be, the THIRD LESSON Isaiah 9 reader: a representative from the choir The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior. he 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 power of Sa-- tan break ing, our peace e- ter-- nal mak ing. isT born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, 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 Words: 1641 | Johann Rist (1607-1667) trans. ca. 1885 | John Troutbeck (1832-1899) will perform this. Music:Words: melody 1641 | 1641Johann | Johann Rist (1607–1667) Shop (1590-1664) trans. ca.arr. 18851734 |in John Christmas Troutbeck Oratorio (1832–1899) | J. S. Bach (1685-1750) Music: melody 1641 | Johann Shop (1590–1664) arr. 1734 in Christmas Oratorio | J. S. Bach (1685–1750) Thanks be to God. 1. O lit -tle town of Beth --le hem, how still we see thee lie! 2. For Christ is born of Mar -y, and gath --ered all a bove, 3. How si - lent -ly, how si --lent ly the won -drous gift is given; 4. O ho -ly Child of Beth --le hem, des -cend to us, we pray;
A -bove thy deep and dream --less sleep the si lent stars go by. while mor --tals sleep, the an gels keep their watch of wond'ring love. so God im --parts to hu man hearts the bless -ings of his heaven! cast out our sin, and en --ter in, be born in us to day. ¶ The congregation sits. FOURTH LESSON Micah 5 reader: a university student Yet in thy dark streets shin -eth the ev --er last -ing Light; O morn -ing stars to --geth er, pro -claim the ho -ly birth, The Prophet Micah foretells the glory of little Bethlehem. No ear may hear his com - ing, but in this world of sin, We hear the Christ --mas an gels the great glad tid -ings tell; ut thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings Bforth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee to - night. Thanks be to God. and prais - es sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth! where meek souls will re --ceive him, still the dear Christ en ters in. ¶ The congregation stands. O come to us, a -bide with us, our Lord Em-man --u el!
HYMN O Little Town of Bethlehem Words: 1868 | Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) Music:Words: Forest1868 |Green Phillips, English Brooks folk (1835–1893 tune ) Music: Forest Green, English folk tune adapt. and harm. 1906 | Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) CMD 1. O lit -tle town of Beth --le hem, how still we see thee lie! adapt. and harm. 1906 | Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) CMD 2. For Christ is born of Mar -y, and gath --ered all a bove, ¶ 3. How si - lent -ly, how si --lent ly the won -drous gift is given; The congregation sits. 4. O ho -ly Child of Beth --le hem, des -cend to us, we pray; FIFTH LESSON Luke 1 reader: a representative from the orchestra; a woman great with child The angel Gabriel salutes the virgin Mary.
nd 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 A -bove thy deep and dream --less sleep the si lent stars go by. ofA David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, “Hail, while mor --tals sleep, the an gels keep their watch of wond'ring love. thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” And so God im --parts to hu man hearts the bless -ings of his heaven! when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of cast out our sin, and en --ter in, be born in us to day. salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor 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 Yet in thy dark streets shin -eth the ev --er last -ing Light; God.” And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy O morn -ing stars to --geth er, pro -claim the ho -ly birth, word.” And the angel departed from her. No ear may hear his com - ing, but in this world of sin, We hear the Christ --mas an gels the great glad tid -ings tell; Thanks be to God. the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee to - night. and prais - es sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth! where meek souls will re --ceive him, still the dear Christ en ters in. O come to us, a -bide with us, our Lord Em-man --u el! Words: 1868 | Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) Music: Forest Green, English folk tune adapt. and harm. 1906 | Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) CMD ¶ The congregation stands. 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 HYMN Tell Out, My Soul Woodlands the inn. Thanks be to God. CAROL On The Morning of Christ’s Nativity 1. Tell out, my soul, the great --ness of the Lord. Un 2. Tell out, my soul, the great - ness of His name! Make Note: Milton’s poetry adopts a literary conceit (a complex and extended metaphor), in which he draws from 3. Tell out, my soul, the great - ness of His might! Powers Greek mythology and astronomy in order to use the context of those images. There is good precedent for his 4. creativity, as the Bible is full of highly imaginative poetry. Certainly the Greek sun-god Helios doesn’t exist, but Tell out, my soul, the glo - ries of His Word! Firm see Psalm 97:7. Even gods that don’t exist will bow down to God, and they are addressed and dealt with in the poetry as if they exist, in order to make the larger point. Similarly, rivers have no hands, and mountains don’t sing, but see Ps. 98:8. num -bered bless -ings give my spir - it voice; ten - der to It was the Winter wild, known His might, the deeds his arm has done; his mer - cy while the Heaven-born-child, and do - min - ions lay their glo - ry by; proud hearts and all meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; is his prom --ise and his mer cy sure. Tell out, my nature in awe to him had doff ’t her gawdy trim,† with her great Master so to sympathize: it was no season then for her me the prom - ise of his word; in to wanton‡ with the Sun her lusty Paramour. sure, from age to age the same; his † stub - born wills are put to flight, the As Christ humbled himself by becoming a man, nature humbled herself in the bleakness of winter, in soul, the great - ness of the Lord to Milton’s imagination. ‡to play or frolic And though the shady gloom † God my Sav - ior shall my heart re - joice. had given day her room, ho - ly name, the Lord, the might - y One. the Sun himself with-held his wonted speed, hun - gry fed, the hum --ble lift ed high. and hid his head for shame, chil --dren's chil dren and for ev --er more! as his inferior flame, the new-enlightened world no more should need; Words:Words: MagnificatMagnificat (Luke(Luke 11)) 1961 || TimothyTimothy Dudley-SmithDudley-Smith (b.(b. 1926)1926) he saw a greater Sun appear Music:Music: 1919 || WalterWalter GreatorexGreatorex (1877–1949) (1877-1949) than his bright Throne, or burning Axletree‡ could bear. WordsWords ©© 19621962,, ren.ren. 1990 Hope Publishing Company.Company. ReReprintedprinted underunder Onelicense.net OneLicense.net no. no. A-721487 A-721487 †Night had given way to day, though the sun neglected to take up his post. ‡ ¶ The congregation sits. metonymy for the sun’s chariot. (Greek god Helios) Ring out ye Crystal spheres,† SIXTH LESSON Luke 2 once bless our human ears, reader: a representative from the board of elders (If ye have power to touch our senses so) and let your silver chime St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus. move in melodious time; and let the Bass of Heav’ns deep organ blow,‡ nd it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar †† and with your ninefold harmony Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one make up full consort to the Angelike symphony. intoA 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 †Since antiquity, the movement of the planets and stars have been considered a sort of heavenly music, house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great commonly called the Music of the Spheres; also see Ps. 19:1; this music is beyond human ears. Lorenzo with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that discusses this in Merchant of Venice, 5.1. In mediæval theology, it was thought that man was cut off from this heavenly music at the fall of Adam, but a Second Adam, God incarnate, makes it possible for us to be Wise men from distant far land, shepherds from starry hills in communion and harmony with heaven’s glorious symphony. Also see Orpheus with his Lute by Elizabeth worship this babe so rare, hearts with his warmth he fills. Henry, which has a chapter on the music of the spheres. ‡Milton was a skilled organist and loved the instrument, and is said to have played for Oliver Cromwell Love in that stable was born into our hearts to flow: around 1655. innocent dreaming babe, make me thy love to know! ††Pythagoras conceived of the universe as nine concentric spheres: (1) the outer sphere of ‘fixed’ stars, (2–8) seven spheres with one of the seven known planets (including the sun and moon) fixed on the surface Words and Music: 1967 | John Rutter (b. 1945) Words © Oxford University Press. Reprinted by permission under OneLicense.net no. A-721487 of each sphere, and (9) the earth. The orbits of the planets resulted from the spinning of the concentric “crystal” spheres on which the planets were fixed. Furthermore, unlike the geocentric model, all of the ¶ planets, including the earth and the sun, orbit an unseen “central fire” (Zeus, in Greek mythology; but at The congregation stands. the end of Milton’s stanza 2, it is a reference to our greater Sun, Jesus.) Milton draws a parallel between the nine spheres and the medieval conception of nine divisions of angels: the nine choirs of angels answer the nine crystal spheres. (This parallel will be familiar to those acquainted with Dante’s Paradiso. The ninefold HYMN Song of the Angels at the Winchester Old hierarchy of angels is derived from a speculative synthesis of various scripture verses. Each of the nine is Nativity of Our Blessed Savior called a choir; this is why the hymn O Come, all ye Faithful has plural “Sing, choirs of angels.” From greatest to least, they are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels.) Words: John Milton (1608–1674) Music: 2015 | Wesley Newcomb (b. 1990) member, Sanctuary Choir 1. While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seat - ed on the ground, 2. “Fear not!” said he, (for might--y dread had seized their trou bled mind), 3. “To you, in Da - vid’s town, this day is born of Da-vid’s line SEVENTH LESSON Luke 2 4. “The heaven - ly Babe you there shall find to hu--man view dis played, reader: the director of music The shepherds go to the manger. nd there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch Aover 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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling the an - gel of the Lord came down, and glo --ry shone a round. clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the “Glad ti - dings of great joy I bring to you and all man - kind.” heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth a Sav - ior, who is Christ the Lord, and this shall be the sign: † peace, good will toward men.” And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away all mean--ly wrapped in swath ing bands, and in a man -ger laid.” 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. 5. Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith 6. “All glory be to God on high, Thanks be to God. appeared a shining throng and to the Earth be peace; of angels praising God, who thus good will henceforth from heav’n to men CAROL Nativity Carol addressed their joyful song: begin and never cease.”
Words: 1700 | Tate & Brady Born in a stable so bare, born so long ago; Words: 1700 | Tate & Brady Supplement to the New VersionVersion ofof thethe PsalmsPsalms ofof DaviDavidd born ‘neath light of star he who loved us so. Music: 1592 | Este's The WholeWhole BookBook ofof PsalmnesPsalmnes †meanly:meanly : humbly
Far away, silent he lay, born today, your homage pay, “Song of the Angels at the Nativity of our Blessed Savior” is the oldest and longest-sung English-language hymn. When it was first published in England, it was the only hymn allowed in public worship other than Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day. the 150 psalms; this was true both in separatist/nonconformist churches and in Anglican churches. At the time, England followed John Calvin’s model of exclusive psalmody, which disallowed the singing of anything Cradled by mother so fair, tender her lullaby; in worship other than the psalms (and a half-dozen other prescribed excerpts of scripture: the ten command- over her son so dear angel hosts fill the sky. ments, the Lukan canticles, &c.) ¶ The congregation sits. CAROL at the OFFERING O Holy Night
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, EIGHTH LESSON Matthew 2 it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. reader: the associate minister Long lay the world in sin and error pining, The wise men are led by the star to Jesus. ‘til He appear’d and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope: the weary world rejoices, ow when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he that Nis born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! him.” When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem O night divine, O night when Christ was born; with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people O night divine, O holy night night Divine. together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, “In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, ‘And thou Bethlehem, in with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come Led by a star, above them brightly gleaming, a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.’” Then Herod, when he had secretly called appeared the wise men from far Eastern land. the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger; them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when to us this day is born to be our God. 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, Words: 1847 | Placide Cappeau (1808–1877) tr. 1855, John Dwight (1813–1893) went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they Music: 1847 | Adolphe Adam (1803–1856) 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 ¶ The congregation stands. him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned by God in a dream that they should not NINTH LESSON John 1 return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. reader: the senior minister Thanks be to God. St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
CAROL Say, Where is He (from Christus) n 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 When Jesus our Lord was born in Bethlehem, Ihim was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of in the land of Judæa, men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There Behold, from the east to the city of Jerusalem was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear there came wise men, and said: 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 Say, where is He born the King of Judæa? that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and For we have seen His star and are come to adore Him. the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as Music: Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor WELCOME Gordon Hugenberger, Senior Minister 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. (Tonight’s offering will be used to defray the cost of this special service and Park Street Church’s operating expenses.) Thanks be to God. HYMN Of the Father’s Love Begotten Divinum Mysterium BLESSING
Minister: Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, grant you the fullness of inward peace and goodwill, and make you partakers of the choir: 1. Of the Fa-ther’s love be --got ten, ere the worlds be -gan to be, divine nature; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy 2. At his word they were cre --at --ed; he com mand ed; it was done: Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. trebles: 3. O that birth for --ev er bless -èd, when the vir -gin, full of grace, All: Amen. 4. O ye heights of heav'n a --dore him; an gel hosts, his prais -es sing; HYMN See, Amid the Winter’s Snow Humility he is Al --pha and O - me ga, he the source, the heav'n and earth and depths of o - cean in their three - fold 1. See a - mid the win - ter's snow, born for us on earth be - low, by the Ho --ly Ghost con - ceiv ing, bare the sav - ior trebles: 2. “Say you ho - ly shep-herds say, tell your joy - ful news to - day: pow'rs, dom --in ions, bow be -fore him, and ex -tol our men: 3. “As we watched at dead of night, Lo, we saw a won- drous light: 4. Sa - cred in - fant, all di - vine, what a ten - der love was thine (Interlude)5. Teach, O teach us, ho - ly Child, by thy face so meek and mild, end - ing he, of the things that are, that have been, or -der one; all that grows be -neath the shin --ing see, the ten - der Lamb ap --pears, prom ised from e - ter - nal years: of our race; and the Babe, the world’s Re-deem --er, why have you now left your sheep on the lone - ly moun-tain steep?” God and King! Let no tongue on earth be si ---lent, an - gels sing-ing peace on earth, told us of a Sa - vior's birth.” thus to come from high - est bliss down to such a world as this: teach us to re - sem - ble thee, in thy sweet hu - mi --li ty: and that fu -ture years shall see, ev --er--more and ev er more! of the light of moon and sun, ev --er--more and ev er more! first re--vealed his sac red face, ev --er -more and ev er -more! All: Hail, thou e-- ver bless - ed morn; Hail, re--- demp tion's hap py dawn; eve --ry voice in con cert ring, ev --er --more and ev er more! (5th time unison) men: 5. This is he whom seers and sages sang of old with one accord; whom the writings of the prophets promised in their faithful word; men: 5. now This he is shines, he whom the seerslong-expected, and sages sang of old with one accord; whomlet creation the writings praise of its the Lord, prophets evermore promi andsed evermore!in their faithful word; 6. now Christ, he shines, to thee the with long-expected, God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, Sing through all Je ---ru sa lem; Christ is born in Beth-- le hem. let hymncreation and praise chant its with Lord, high evermore thanksgiving, and evermore! and unwearied praises be: honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore! Words: 1858 | Edward Caswell (1814-1878) Words: Marcus Aurelius 6. Christ, Clemens to Prudentius thee with (348 God–410 the) Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, Music: 11th century; adapt. 1582 | Piæ Cantiones Music: 1871 | John Goss (1800-1880) 77. 77 ref hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be: Words: 1858 | Edward Caswell (1814–1878) Music: 1871 | John Goss (1800–1880) 77. 77 ref honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore!
THE SANCTUARY CHOIR THE PARK STREET ORCHESTRA
Soprano Tenor First Violin Second Violin Viola Sandra Brockman-Lee Dick Beckerleg Sarah M. Skinner Lydia Bassett Kayla Woodworth Lori Chang Bryan Bilyeu Guan-Ting Liao Anna Zimmerman Rebecca Phillips Judy Dean Mike Brescia Amy Galluzzo Nathan Ullberg Theresa Fritz Lauren Lee John Cunningham Daniel Faris Erin Newcomb Cara Hanson Penelope van der Meer Tate Isgrig Matthew Fritz Kim Moy Karen McConomy Carlana Miller Dustin Juliano Susanna Monroe Stephanie Marsh Ruby Grace Miller Richard Rivale Sally Sadoian Mark Rosedale Jennifer Schmunk Jennifer Taylor Bass Cello Bass Sophia To Lyford Beverage Alexis Lee Bebo Shiu Gretchen Sheetz Dean Blackette Karen Monroe Peter Walsh Andrew Davenport Sally Dunning Edward Kass Alto Nathan Hamilton Carrie Dyball Nicholas Myers Lisa Bloom Bill Hannah Yizhen Wang Lorenza Bronkhorst Nate Haywood Kristyn Ferber Peter van der Meer Kylee Hamilton Phil Mell Flute Horn Harp Maryann Han Wesley Newcomb Julianne Johnston Jennifer Robbins Adrienne Bassett Paula Hannah Matt Reese Melissa Williamson Alisa Clark Caroline Lewis John Wendel Andrew Skinner Timpani Grace Spicuzza Oboe Hannah Skinner Seth Burkhardt Naomi Tamura James Bulger Kristin Terres Jillian Woodstock Trumpet Organ Cormara Undag Bobby Thorpe Samuel Nelson Janet Wolfe Clarinet Kenneth Wegiel Barret Ham Willens Jean-Jules Susan Porr Trombone Bassoon Elisabeth Shafer Kai Rocke Natalie Collins Jared Hettrick Kyle Peck BOY CHORISTERS Harry Browning Alex Johnston Simon Stanton
READERS Bidding Prayer Dr. Julian Linnell First Lesson George Charnin Second Lesson Richard Elliott Third Lesson Dr. Caroline Lewis Fourth Lesson Michael Heyd Fifth Lesson Cara Hanson Sixth Lesson Simon Fowler Seventh Lesson Nathan Skinner Eighth Lesson Dr. Walter Kim Ninth Lesson Dr. Gordon P. Hugenberger
SENIOR MINISTER Dr. Gordon P. Hugenberger
ASSOCIATE MINISTER Dr. Walter Kim
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Nathan Skinner
DIRECTOR OF CHORAL MUSIC Daniel Schmunk
PROGRAM DESIGN Julie Boyd
FACILITIES MANAGER Richard Elliott