Nine Lessons & Carols at Malmesbury Abbey

NINE LESSONS & CAROLS

BY CANDLELIGHT Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom his favour rests.

(Luke 2:14)

SUNDAY 21ST DECEMBER 2014, 6.30PM

VICAR'S WELCOME I warmly welcome you to Malmesbury Abbey for our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. I hope you have a seat. This may well be your very first time at this service, or perhaps the ‘Nine Lessons’ is an important part of your Christmas every year and you can sing all the verses of all the carols without referring to the words at all.

Regardless, I hope nobody leaves the Abbey tonight without considering afresh how the birth of Jesus Christ changed the course of human history.

Our service is one of beauty and tremendous joy. Candles will light the Abbey to signify that ‘a people walking in darkness have seen a great light.’ Our 12th century walls will resound to beautiful and mysterious music echoing the singing of the angels that first holy night. And ancient, God-breathed, readings from scripture will in essence say one thing – that Christ was born that you and I might know peace and salvation though him. That is a personal message for each of us, and it is the good news that still permeates the darkness of our broken world two thousand years on.

May God bless you this night, may you be inspired, and may He bless you and those you love this Christmas.

Revd Canon Neill Archer Christmas, 2014.

Guidance for the Service •

•

•

•

•

Because of the large number of candles in this service there is a significant risk – please take care with your candle at all times Please secure all loose hair and clothing, and when candles are being lit please take great care when passing the light to others Please stand for hymns and sit for all readings; except the 9th Lesson when we all stand and face the gospel in the centre of the Abbey.

There is a retiring collection for the ministry of Malmesbury Abbey. If you are a UK taxpayer please use the gift aid envelope provided. Many thanks.

You can also donate by text. Please text 70070 and enter the code MALM12.

Organ Preludes Organist: Mark Bensted B.Mus. FTCL Director of Music: John Hughes M.A. (Cantab) ARCO Paean on ‘Of the Father’s love’ Variations on ‘Unto us a Son is born’ Nativité

John Cook Geoffrey Shaw Marcel Dupré

Please remain seated in silence during the final organ preludes as the Abbey is gradually darkened and candles lit.

Chorale Prelude on ‘In Dulci Jubilo’ Kyrie Eleison

Marcel Dupré Maurice Duruflé

Hymn

Once in Royal David’s city

A soloist and the Malmesbury Abbey Choir sing the first two verses

A

nd through all His wondrous childhood He would honour and obey, Love and watch the lowly maiden, In whose gentle arms He lay: Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as He. For He is our childhood’s pattern; Day by day, like us He grew; He was little, weak and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew; And He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love, For that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in Heav’n above, And He leads His children on To the place where He is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by, We shall see Him; but in Heaven, Set at God’s right hand on high; Where like stars His children crowned All in white shall wait around.

Please sit

Bidding Prayer

Revd Canon Neill Archer Vicar, Malmesbury Abbey

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, in 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.

Choir

Veni Redemptor Gentium Andrew Smith

Saviour of the nations, come, Recognised as the Virgin’s child, so that the world marvels that God ordained such a birth for him.

Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child Of the virgin undefiled!

Though by all the world disowned, Still to be in heaven enthroned From the Father forth He came And returneth to the same; Captive leading death and hell, High the song of triumph swell!

Brightly doth the manger shine Glorious in its light divine.

Let no sin o’ercloud this light; Ever be our faith thus bright.

To Christ the most holy King And to you the Father be glory, And with the Holy Spirit, World without end. Amen.

1st Lesson

Genesis 3:8-14 The Fall of Humanity Read by Revd John Monaghan Curate, Malmesbury Abbey

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Hymn

O come O come Emmanuel

O

come, O come, Emmanuel!

And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse! free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny From depths of hell, thy people save, And give them victory o’er the grave: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou dayspring come and cheer Our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,, And death’s dark shadows put to flight: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Key of David come And open wide our heav’nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, thou Lord of Might, Who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height, In ancient times did give the law In cloud and majesty and awe: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

2nd Lesson

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Gen 22:15-18 The Promise of Blessing Read by Diana Crowe Churchwarden

Choir

Christ the Apple Tree Stanford Scriven

The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel: By faith I know, but ne'er can tell The glory which I now can see In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see 'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary’d with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be, Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

(Text inspired by Song of Songs 2:3)

Hymn

It came upon a Midnight Clear

I

t came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, goodwill to men From heavens all gracious King!"

The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world: Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing.

O ye beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow; Look now, for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing; Oh rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on, By prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold, When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace, their King, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing.

3rd Lesson

Isaiah 9:2,6,7 The Prophecy of the Messiah Read by Jeff Staton Headteacher, Malmesbury CE Primary School

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Choir

O nata lux de lumine Thomas Tallis

O Light born of Light, Jesus, Redeemer of the world, with loving-kindness deign to receive suppliant praise and prayer.

Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh for the sake of the lost, grant us to be members of thy blessed body.

4th Lesson

Micah 5:2-5a The Prophecy of Bethlehem Read by Revd Linda Sullivan Curate, Malmesbury Abbey

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Hymn

God rest ye merry gentlemen

G

od rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, For Jesus Christ our Saviour Was born upon this day, To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray: O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our heavenly Father A blessed angel came, And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same, How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by name:

The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm and wind, And went to Bethlehem straightway, This blessed Babe to find: O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereat this Infant lay, They found Him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling, Unto the Lord did pray: Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and charity Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface:

Choir

Ave Maria Franz Biebl

The angel of the Lord visited Mary and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Mary said: See the servant of the Lord.

May it happen to me according to your word.

Hail Mary, Full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us.

Hail Mary, Full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Glory and honour to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

(Based on Luke 1:28, 38, 42 & John 1:14)

5th Lesson

Luke 1:26-38 The Annunciation to Mary Read by Alan McAdam Treasurer, Malmesbury Abbey

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Choir

Away in a Manger Basque traditional, arr. Jacques

Away in a manger, no crib for His bed The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes I love Thee, Lord Jesus look down from the sky And stay by my side, ‘til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever and love me I pray Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care And fit us to heaven to live with Thee there

Hymn

Silent Night

S

ilent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight, Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Saviour, is born!

Christ, the Saviour, is born! (unaccompanied) Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

6th Lesson

Luke 2:1-7 The Birth of Jesus Read by Lesley Wilson Churchwarden

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Choir

O Magnum Mysterium Morten Lauridsen

Oh great mystery, and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new born Lord, lying in a manger!

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Alleluia

Hymn

I

In the bleak mid-winter

n the bleak mid-winter frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him nor earth sustain; Heav’n and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign In the bleak mid-winter a stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim worship night and day, A breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels fall down before, The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air But only His mother in her maiden bliss Worshipped the Beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man I would do my part; Yet what I can, I give Him - give my heart.

7th Lesson

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Luke 2:8-16 The Shepherds & the Angels Read by Jessica Shaw The Mix

Choir

Gloria & Et in terra pax from Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’

Glory to God in the highest And on earth peace to all On whom his favour rests.

(Luke 2:14)

8th Lesson

Matthew 2:1-11 The Magi Read by Rob Hitchings Malmesbury Abbey Books

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Choir

Seeing the star, the wise men were overwhelmed with great joy; and entering the dwelling, they offered to the Lord gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

(Matthew 2:10,11)

Videntes Stellam Francis Poulenc

Hymn

Of the Father’s love begotten

Please turn to face the gospel as it is processed and read during the following hymn:

O

f the Father’s love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds created; He commanded; it was done: Heaven and earth and depths of ocean In their threefold order one; All that grows beneath the shining Of the light of moon and sun, Evermore and evermore!

9th Lesson

This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

John 1:1-14 The Word

This is He whom seers and sages Sang of old with one accord; Whom the writings of the prophets promised in their faithful word; Now He shines, the long expected, Let creation praise its Lord, Evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore him Angels and Archangels sing Powers, dominions bow before him and extol our God and King Let no tongue on earth be silent, every voice in concert ring, Evermore and evermore!

Sermon

Revd Canon Neill Archer Vicar, Malmesbury Abbey

Prayers

Revd John Monaghan Curate, Malmesbury Abbey

Hymn

O Come all ye faithful

O

Come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him, born the King of angels; O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light, Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb; Very God, begotten, not created; Child, for us sinners, poor and in the manger, Fain we embrace thee with love and awe; Who would not love thee, Loving us so dearly?

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!

Glory to God, in the highest;

Yea Lord, we greet thee, born that happy morning, Jesu to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:

The Christmas Blessing May the Father, who has loved the eternal Son from before the foundation of the world, shed that love upon you his children.

Amen.

May Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy and peace.

Amen.

May the Holy Spirit, by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer, give you grace to carry the good news of Christ.

Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

Amen

Hymn

Hark the herald angels sing

H

ark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die.

Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Please remain standing Dismissal May God, who has called us out of darkness into his marvellous light, bless us and fill us with peace.

Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Organ Voluntary Prelude & Fugue in B major During which the choir and clergy recess

Marcel Dupré

CHRISTMAS EVE & DAY Christmas Eve

11.30pm Midnight Communion

Christmas Day

8am BCP Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion with Organ 11am Family Celebration

CHORAL EVENSONG IN 2015 Malmesbury Abbey Choir regularly sings Choral Evensong, usually, but not always, on the second Sunday of the month at 6.30pm. A tranquil abbey, the King James Version of the Bible, the 17th century words of the Book of Common Prayer and very beautiful choral music from across the centuries. Our dates in 2015 are: Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 10, June 14, July 12, Sep 13, Oct 11, plus other special services.

More details from 01666 826666, or online at: issuu.com/malmesburyabbey/docs/choral_evensong_in_2015 www.mamlesburyabbey.com