Service Leaflet - December 24, 2020 (Christmas Pageant)

The Children’s Christmas Pageant

LITURGICAL LEADERS

Officiant: The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler, Dean Pageant Chair: Sara Chapman Pageant Co-Chairs: Mary Sorrell and Haven Long Christian Education Ministries: The Reverend Lauren Holder, Canon for Community and Education Lisa McNamara, Director of Children’s Ministries Ciara Castenell, Program Coordinator for Children’s Ministries Pageant Video Production: Dan Murphy, Director of Communications Brant McCaskill, Sound Technician Megan Schuitema, virtual Chorister video producer Easton Davis, videographer Musicians: Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music Caroline Robinson, DMA, Associate Organist-Choirmaster Jack Mitchener, DMA, Organist & Artist-in-Residence Patrick Scott, DMA, Associate Organist-Choirmaster (2018, 2019) Members of the Cathedral Choir Schola Head Chorister: Jacqueline Cunningham The Cathedral Choristers: Anne Ford Bateman, Brooke Benedict, Mary Evelyn Binnicker, Jacqueline Cunningham, Kate Cunningham, Pruit DeLong, Phoebe Ellis, Virginia Jane Hultgren, Marianne James, Mary Elizabeth Kirkland, Jack McNamara, George Philpott, Grace Richardson, Edward Rosenblath, Ann Rosengren, Eva Russell, Julia Russell, Robert Strange, Alex Sugden, Sam Sugden, Knox Weggler, Katherine Yeoman, Lindsey Reinhard, Cathedral Chorister assistant The Allegro Choir 2018 & 2019: Brenda Pruitt, Director of Allegro: Music for Young Children & Cathedral Chorister assistant Front Cover Illustration: Walker & Emma Brannon

The music for tonight’s virtual Christmas Eve Pageant has been taken from the 2018 and 2019 Pageants, or newly recorded according safety protocols set forth by the Diocese of Atlanta.

We express our deep gratitude and appreciation to Pam, Jack, Elizabeth and Jack Walz, who continue their ministry of providing all of the costumes and props for the pageant.

A very special thank you to our parent volunteers who give of their time and talent in guiding and caring for the children participating in the Christmas Pageant, and especially to Sarah duBignon for volunteering for 54 years!

Esteemed gratitude to Sara Chapman who has directed the Christmas Pageant for 30 years at the Cathedral of St. Philip and for her faithful service to our Children’s Ministries Programs. And we express deep gratitude to the co-chairs Mary Sorrell and Haven Long for their hard work and dedication to our children.

PAGEANT CAST

Mary: Claire Willis Joseph: Tripp Wolf Innkeeper: Carter Potts Donkey: Lucy Yabroudy Lead Star: Adeline Yost Stars: Ainsley Anderson, Olivia Lee, Kathryn McElroy, Rebecca Overend, Ginna Thompson, Claiborne Yost Narrators (in order of appearance): Mary Elizabeth Kirkland, Pamela Reid, Harry Overend, Marianne James, Sophie Lee, Gigi Foley, Mary Adams King, Sanders Hearne, Louise Lathan, Thomas Stotts, Jane Murphy, Quinn Anderson Head Angels: Maisie Crossley, Amelia Dierdorff, Lucy Hearne, Boyd Mahoney, Charlotte O’Bryan King Herod: Hunter Murphy Roman Soldiers: Reynolds Griffin, Trip Gotch, Effie Guilbert, Yates King, Joshua LaBruyere, Brooks Potts, Mac Rosengren, Charlie Schaefer, Robert Strange, Austin Theodore, Holman Underwood Wisemen: Jack McNamara, Sanders Mitchner, Harry Overend Pages: Kay Mahoney, Rebecca Overend, Reese Wick Sheep and animals: Four-year-olds Shepherds and Angels: Five, six, and seven-year-olds

The Children’s Christmas Pageant

Choral Prelude

music: Gustav Holst (English, 1874-1934), Christmas Day (Choral Fantasy on Old Carols) words: 14th-century German carol; 18th-century English carols, attr. Rev. Archer Gurney (English, 1820-1887). From the Cathedral Choir’s CD Tidings of Comfort & Joy, used by permission of Gothic Records (G-49323)

Good Christian men, rejoice With heart, and soul, and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born today: Ox and ass before Him bow, And He is in the manger now, Christ is born today! Good Christian men, rejoice With heart, and soul, and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born today: Ox and ass before Him bow, And He is in the manger now, Christ is born today! God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, Remember Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas day, To save us all from woe and sin, When we were gone astray. O tidings of comfort and joy. In Bethlehem, in Jewry, This blessed Babe was born, And laid within a manger Upon that holy morn; The which His Mother, Mary, Did nothing take in scorn. O tidings of comfort and joy. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart, and soul, and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath oped the heav’nly door, And man is blessed evermore. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this! Come, ye lofty, come, ye lowly, Let your songs of gladness ring; In a stable lies the Holy, In a manger rests the King: See, in Mary’s arms reposing, Christ by highest heav’n adored: Come, your circle round Him closing, Pious hearts that love the Lord. Come, ye poor, no pomp of station Robes the Child your hearts adore: He, the Lord of all salvation, Shares your want, is weak and poor: Oxen, round about behold them; Rafters naked, cold and bare, See the shepherds, God has told them That the Prince of Life lies there. Come, ye children, blithe and merry, This one Child your model make; Christmas holly, leaf, and berry, All be prized for His dear sake; Come, ye gentle hearts, and tender, Come, ye spirits, keen and bold; All in all your homage render, Weak and mighty, young and old. High above a star is shining, And the Wise Men haste from far: Come, glad hearts, and spirits pining: For you all has risen the star. Let us bring our poor oblations, Thanks and love and faith and praise: Come, ye people, come, ye nations, All in all draw nigh to gaze. Born is the King of Israel. Noel, noel! Good Christian men, rejoice With heart, and soul, and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born today: Ox and ass before Him bow, And He is in the manger now, Christ is born today! Good Christian men, rejoice With heart, and soul, and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath oped the heav’nly door, And man is blessed evermore. Christ was born for this! Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Noel, Noel, Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas Noel, Noel. All others doth deface. Born is the King of Israel. O tidings of comfort and joy. Good Christian men, rejoice With heart and soul and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all, To gain His everlasting hall: Christ was born to save!

A Welcome from the Dean

THE WORD OF GOD

The Processional: Hymn 83

music: Adeste fideles, attrib. John Francis Wade (English, 1711-1786), st. 3&6 arr. Sir David Willcocks (English, b. 1919), st. 5 arr. J. Roland Middleton (English, 1895-1983) words: John Francis Wade; transl. Frederick Oakeley (English, 1802-1880) and others

6 Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; Refrain

The Opening Acclamation

Officiant: Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit: All: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen. The Officiant continues: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: 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 Salutation and Collect of the Day: The Nativity of Our Lord

Officiant: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Officiant: Let us pray. O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

THE CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

The Word of God in story, drama, and music is presented by the children of the Cathedral using excerpts from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

The First Reading: Matthew 1:18

Read by Mary Elizabeth Kirkland

The birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way:

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored One! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Luke 1:26-38

The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God. Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

The Second Reading: Matthew 1:18b-24

Read by Pamela Reid

Now, Mary had been engaged to Joseph. Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just as he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, a 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.” All this took place to fulfill 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.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary for his wife.

Hymn 265 stanzas 1 and 3

music: Gabriel’s Message, Basque carol based on c.13th-century Latin hymn “Angelus ad virginem” words: Basque carol, paraphrased Sabine Baring-Gould (English, 1834-1924)

The Third Reading: Luke 2:1-5

Read by Harry Overend

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 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.

Hymn 79, stanzas 1 and 5

music: St. Louis, Lewis H. Redner (American, 1831-1908) words: Phillips Brooks (American, 1835-1893)

The Fourth Reading: Luke 2:6-7

Read by Marianne James

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 swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Hymn 115 stanza 1

music: Greensleeves, 16th-century English folksong harm. Christmas Carols New & Old (1871) words: William Chatterton Dix (English, 1837-1989)

What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.

The Fifth Reading: Luke 2:8-12

Read by Sophie Lee

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 Savior, who is Messiah, Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Hymn 105

music: God rest you merry, melody from Little Book of Christmas Carols (1850) st. 4 arr. Sir David Willcocks (English, b. 1919) words: 18th-century English carol

God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay; remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day, to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray. 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. O tidings of comfort and joy! “Fear not, then,” said the angel, “let nothing you affright; this this day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright, to free all those who trust in him from Satan’s power and might.” O tidings of comfort and joy! 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 doth bring redeeming grace. O tidings of comfort and joy!

The Sixth Reading: Luke 2:13-14

Read by Gigi Foley

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 favors!”

Hymn 87, stanza 1

music: Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn (German, 1809-1847), adapt. William H. Cummings (English, 1831-1915) words: Charles Wesley (English, 1707-1788), alt.

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!

The Seventh Reading: Luke 2:15-18, 20

Read by Mary Adams King

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

Hymn 99

music & words: 19th-century African-American Spiritual

Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born! While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light. Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born! The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born! Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessèd Christmas morn. Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!

The Eighth Reading: Matthew 2:1-2

Read by Sanders Hearne

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.”

Hymn 128, stanza 1

music & words: John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (American, 1820-1891), alt.

We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!

The Ninth Reading: Matthew 2:3-5

Read by Louise Lathan

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.’”

The Tenth Reading: Matthew 2:6-9

Read by Thomas Stotts

Then Herod 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 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.

Hymn 92, stanzas 1 and 3

music: Personent hodie, from Piae Cantiones (1582), harm. Gustav Holst (English, 1874-1934) words: Piae Cantiones (1582), transl. Jane M. Joseph (English, 1894-1929)

On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing to the Lord, Christ our King, born on earth to save us; him the Father gave us. Ideo, gloria in excelsis Deo! [Therefore, glory to God in the highest!] God’s bright star, o’er his head, Wise Men three to him led, kneel they low by his bed, lay their gifts before him, praise him and adore him. Ideo, gloria in excelsis Deo! [Therefore, glory to God in the highest!]

The Eleventh Reading: Matthew 2:10-11

Read by Jane Murphy

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.

Hymn 112, stanza 4

music: Cranham, Gustav Holst (English, 1874-1934) words: Christina Rossetti (English, 1830-1894)

The Twelfth Reading: Matthew 2:12

Read by Quinn Anderson

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the wise men left for their own country by another road.

Luke 2:19, 40

And Mary treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

Reader: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

Hymn 102

music: Irby, H.J. Gauntlett (English, 1805-1876), harm. A.H. Mann (English, 1850-1929 descants by Sir David Willcocks (English, b. 1919) and Daniel Fortune (American, b. 1966) words: 1-2 & 4-6 Cecil Frances Alexander (Irish, 1818-1895), alt; 3 James Waring McCrady (American, b. 1938)

The Blessing of the Children

The Parish Notices

Please light a candle.

Hymn 111

music: Stille Nacht, melody Franz Xaver Gruber (Austrian, 1787-1863), harm. Carl H. Reinecke (German, 1824-1910), descant Thomas Foster (American, b. 1938) words: Joseph Mohr (Austrian, 1792-1848), transl. John Freeman Young (American, 1820-1885)

The Prayers of the People

Intercessor: With confidence and joy, let us pray to the God who delights and rejoices in the children of earth. Intercessor: For the church throughout the world, shining as a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, that it may herald for all people the dawn of God’s saving love, Lord in your mercy, All: Hear our prayer. Intercessor: For peoples of every race and nation, that the celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace may encourage a new birth of righteousness and justice, Lord in your mercy, All: Hear our prayer. Intercessor: For those who are in need of our prayers: for the homeless, the unemployed, and the hungry; for those serving their country and for their families, Lord in your mercy, All: Hear our prayer. Intercessor: For family and friends near and far, for those hospitalized and homebound, that the good news of Christmas may bring an end of darkness and fear, the dawn of light and joy, Lord in your mercy, All: Hear our prayer. Intercessor: For those who have died in Christ, that they may glorify and praise God for all eternity, Lord in your mercy, All: Hear our prayer. Intercessor: For all other needs we now pray in silence.

The Officiant concludes saying: Lord Jesus Christ, who did humble yourself to share our birth and our death: Bring us with the shepherds and wise men to kneel before your lowly cradle, that we come to sing with the angels your glorious praises in heaven; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, world without end. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Christmas Blessing

Officiant: May Christ, who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with his joy and peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

The Closing Hymn: 100

music: Antioch, George Frideric Handel (German, 1685-1759), adapt./arr. Lowell Mason (American, 1792-1872), descant Craig Phillips (American, b. 1961) words: Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748)

The Dismissal

Deacon: Let us go forth in the name of Christ. All: Thanks be to God.

Voluntary

Fantasy on “Antioch”

Emma Lou Diemer (b. 1927)

All music is reprinted by permission under ONE LICENSE (license number A-717455). Music from The Hymnal 1982 © Church Publishing, Inc., unless noted otherwise below: Hymn 92 words © G. Schirmer, Inc. Hymn 99 music arrangement © 1984 Horace Clarence Boyer. Hymn 102 words stanza 3 © 1982 James Warring McCrady; music © 1957 Novello & Co. Ltd. Hymn 105 words by permission of Fleming H. Revell Co. Hymn 110 music harmonization © 1941 Leo Sowerby. Hymn 265 music © 1961 B. Feldman & Co. Ltd., trading as H. Freeman & Co.