The Festival Service of Lessons and Carols

The Chapel of St Michael and All Angels

ORD SAID TO ME: THIS GATE SHALL BE SHUT, IT SHALL NOT BE OPENED, AND NO MAN SHALL PASS THROUGH IT: BECAUSE THE LORD

m quod vidisti, quod de

Porta haec clausa erit

scissus est . . . Dan. 2: 45

rietur et vir non . . .

The Festival Service of Lessons and Carols in Thanksgiving for The Nativity of r s he d .or g/ C a mpi on — S t . E d m u n d C a m p i on M i ssa l & Hy m n a l f or th e Tra d i t i on a l The Lord Jesus Christ

AS THOU SAWEST THAT THE STONE WAS CUT OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT HANDS, AND BROKE IN PIECES, THE CLAY, AN

Sunday 13th December

Lati

We sing The Hymn: Soloist: Francesca Coles (EL U6) Once in Royal David’s City Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed: Mary was that Mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all, And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall: With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And 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.

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, When like stars his children crowned, All in white shall wait around.

Words and Music: Traditional Descant: David Willcocks (1919-2015)

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The Bidding Prayer The Lord’s Prayer 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. Amen.

The First Lesson read by Freddie Palmer (SU Hu) Mark 1: 1-8 The Proclamation of John the Baptist The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

Thanks be to God.

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The Hundred Choir sing The Night is Still The time draws near the birth of Christ: The moon is hid; the night is still; The Christmas bells from hill to hill Answer each other in the mist.

Four voices of four hamlets round, From far and near, On mead and moor, Swell out and fail, as if a door Were shut between me and the sound.

Each voice, four changes on the wind That now dilate, and now decrease, Peace and goodwill to all mankind.

Goodwill and peace to all mankind.

Words: Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-92) Music: Cecilia McDowall (1951- )

The Second Lesson read by Ella Harris (LI U6) Matthew 1: 18-23 The Dream of Joseph Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’

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All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’

Thanks be to God. The Lower Sixth Choir sing Star Carol Sing this night, for a boy is born in Bethlehem, Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies; Bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle, Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

See his star shining bright In the sky this Christmas night!

Follow me joyfully; Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

Angels bright, come from heaven’s highest glory, Bear the news with its message of good cheer: “Sing, rejoice, for a King is come to save us, Hurry to Bethlehen to see the son of Mary!”

See, he lies in his mother’s tender keeping; Jesus Christ in her loving arms asleep.

Shepherds poor, come to worship and adore him, Offer their humble gifts before the son of Mary.

Let us all pay our homage at the manger, Sing his praise on this joyful Christmas Night; Christ is come, bringing promise of salvation; Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary!

Words and music: John Rutter

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The Third Lesson read by Harrison Locke (B1 L6) Luke 2: 1-7 The Birth of Jesus In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Thanks be to God. The Remove Choir sing Now is the Time of Christemas!

Make we merry both more and less, For now is the time of Christemas!

Let no man come into this hall, Groom or page, nor yet marshall, But that some sport he bring with all, For now is the time of Christemas.

If that he say he cannot sing, Some other sport then let him bring, That it may please at this feasting, For now is the time of Christemas.

If he say he can nothing do, Then for my love ask him no more, But to the stocks then let him go, For now is the time of Christemas.

Words: Traditional Music: Edmund Jolliffe (1976 - ) 6

The Fourth Lesson: read by Clara Hutchinson (NC U6) Luke 2: 8-20 The Shepherds and the Angels In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Thanks be to God.

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The Upper Sixth Choir sing And all the stars looked down The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap, His hair like a light.

O weary was the world, But here is all aright.

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap, His hair was like a star, O stern and cunning are the Kings But here the true hearts are.

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap, His hair was like a fire, O weary is the world, But here the world’s desire.

The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap, His hair was like a crown, And all the flowers looked up at him And all the stars looked down.

Words: G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936) Music: Mr Adam Meehan-Staines

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The Fifth Lesson: read by Oliver Longman-Slocombe (C1 L6) Refugee We think of him as safe beneath the steeple, Or cosy in a crib beside the font, But he is with a million displaced people On the long road of weariness and want.

For even as we sing our final carol His family is up and on that road, Fleeing the wrath of someone else’s quarrel, Glancing behind and shouldering their load.

Whilst Herod rages still from his dark tower, Christ clings to Mary, fingers tightly curled, The lambs are slaughtered by the men of power, And death squads spread their curse across the world.

But every Herod dies, and comes alone To stand before the Lamb upon the throne.

Malcolm Guite

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We sing The Hymn: 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 See how the shepherds, Summoned to his cradle, Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear; We too will thither Bend our joyful footsteps: Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above; Glory to God in the highest: Words: Traditional Music arr: David Wilcocks (1919-2015)

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The Sixth Lesson: read by Sophie Powell (IH U6) Matthew 2: 1-12

The Visit of the Wise Men

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Thanks be to God.

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The Lower Sixth Choir sing Lully, Lulla, Lullay Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child, Bye bye, lully, lullay.

Thou little tiny child, Bye bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do For to preserve this day?

This poor youngling for whom we sing, “Bye bye, lully, lullay”.

Herod the king, in his raging, Chargèd he hath this day.

His men of might in his own sight All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor child, for thee And ever mourn and may For thy parting neither say nor sing, “Bye bye, lully, lullay.”

Words: Traditional Carol Music: Philip WJ Stopford (1977 - )

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The Seventh Lesson: read by The Master, Mrs Louise Moelwyn-Hughes John 1: 1-14

The Word Became Flesh

In 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 him was not anything made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear 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 that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave the 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 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.

Thanks be to God.

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The Upper Sixth Choir sing O Holy Night O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appear’d 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! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

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 come 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 weaknesses no stranger, Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord, then ever ever praise we, His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

Translation: John Sullivan Dwight Music: Adolphe Adam (1803-56) arr. Hodgkinson 14

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

All: Amen.

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

All: Amen.

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

All: Amen.

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

All: Amen.

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We sing The Hymn: Hark 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 th’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 th’incarnate Deity!

Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son 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.

Words: Traditional Music arr: David Wilcocks (1919-2015) Organ voluntary: Louis Vierne Final from Symphony no. 1

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WellBoring is a volunteer led charity focused on fixing one of the world’s big problems: access to safe water.

Where there’s a will there’s a well As a part of the Marlborough College Overseas charity group, we are hoping to raise £4,000 for WellBoring; the funding necessary to build a single well for a primary school in Kenya.

Within school we will be running a number of fundraising activities, and to the wider school community, we would really appreciate if you could donate to our JustGiving page. www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marlboroughcollegewellboring