O little town of sung by St Martin’s Voices

1 O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

2 O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth; For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.

3 How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in, be born to us today. We hear the angels the great glad tidings tell: O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) sung by St Martin’s Voices

1 O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, it is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night divine!

2 Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, with glowing hearts by his cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, here came the wise men from the Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger; in all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger. Behold your King! Before the lowly bend! Behold your King, before the lowly bend!

3 Truly he taught us to love one another, his law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother, and in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, with all our hearts we praise his holy name. Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we, his power and glory ever more proclaim! His power and glory ever more proclaim!

John Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893)) based on Placide Cappeau (1808-1877)

The Giving of Communion

The president says: The body and blood of Christ keep you in eternal life’ All who intend to receive say ‘Amen’

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion

Lord , we believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. We love you above all things, and we desire to receive you into our souls. For those of us that cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into our hearts. May we embrace You as if You were already there and unite ourselves wholly to you. Never permit us to be separated from you. Amen. Carol of the crib – Joanna Forbes L’Estrange sung by St Martin’s Voices

Light to the world, a child is born; dark is the night before the dawn: day is upon us, darkness is dying, with Mary's child in slumber lying.

Christ has come, our life to share; sorrows and sins and griefs to bear: see where above us the heavens are clear, the angels are singing for Christ is here!

Light for a world gone far astray, dawn of the hope of God's new day; songs for our sighing, joy for our weeping, with Mary's child so softly sleeping.

Christ has come, our life to share; sorrows and sins and griefs to bear: see where above us the heavens are clear, the angels are singing for Christ is here!

Light of the world, God's only Son! now is the day of grace begun: love is among us, love beyond dreaming, with Mary's child for our redeeming.

Christ has come, our life to share; sorrows and sins and griefs to bear: see where above us the heavens are clear, the angels are singing for Christ is here! Christ is here!

Timothy Dudley Smith (born 1926) © Oxford University Press