Exeter College Chapel

Service of Nine Lessons & Carols for Christmas

Friday, 3rd December 2010

Chaplain The Reverend Dr Helen Orchard Catechist The Reverend Dr Anthony Rustell Organ Scholar Joshua Hales Organist Edward Symington Choir Soprano: Katie Cochrane, Eleanor Franzen, Myriam Frenkel, Ella Grunberger-Kirsh, Becca Rees, Rhian Wood Alto: Naomi Charatan, Hannah Dickens, Nick Fletcher, Hetty Gullifer, Katy Moe Tenor: Laurie Cottam, Spencer Harrison, Thorsten Hauler Michael Hosking, Samuel Mazzarella, Matthew Stokes Bass: Chris Arnold, Dominic Bowe, Alexei Kalveks, Kent Li, Daniel Trott Readers The Rector Nicholas Altham Frances Rose Timothy Hele Sarah Young The Catechist Felix Leach Dr Ben Morgan The Chaplain

Undergraduate in History Undergraduate in Modern Languages Undergraduate in Chemistry Graduate in Women’s Studies Graduate in Engineering Fellow in English

Clerks Caroline Fargher, Neil Malloy

Welcome to Exeter College Chapel for this Service of Nine Lessons & Carols for Christmas The service follows the traditional pattern of prayers, lessons and music made popular by Kings College Cambridge. The service has its origins, however, far from Cambridge: in 1880 E. W. Benson, the then Bishop of Truro, drew up a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, based on ancient sources, for use on Christmas Eve in the wooden shed which served as his cathedral. In 1918 this was adapted for use in the chapel of Kings College, Cambridge, by its Dean, Eric Milner-White, who also wrote the well-known Bidding Prayer. The service is an extended meditation on the prophecy of the coming of the Christ-child and a narration of the events of his birth. Once again we enter into the well known story of Christmas and are invited hear the song of the angels, share in the wonder of the shepherds and resolve to be as persistent as the magi. We hope that through prayer, reading and music you will share in something of the joy and peace that Jesus’ birth brings to the world.

Please ensure you have turned off your mobile phone. Thank you.




The following pieces will be played before the service: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Chorale Prelude on “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland”, BWV 659 Prelude in Eb “St Anne”, BWV 552 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Chorale Prelude on “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen”

All stand as the choir arrive at the entrance of Chapel

Carol Solo

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.

Choir

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.

All

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 heaven 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; when like stars his children crowned all in white shall wait around.

Welcome and Bidding Prayer This concludes with 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. All sit

The First Lesson Genesis 3.8-15: The Fall

Anthem Adam lay ybounden, Bounden in a bond; Four thousand winter Thought he not too long. And all was for an apple, An apple that he took, As clerkës finden written In their book. Nor had one apple taken been, The apple taken been, Then had never Our Lady A-been heaven's queen. Blessed be the time That apple taken was. Therefore we may singen Deo gratias! Text: English Traditional, 15thCentury Music: Boris Ord (1897-1961)

The Second Lesson Genesis 22.15-18: The Promise to Abraham All stand

Carol

GOD rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day, to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray: Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy! O tidings of comfort and joy From God our heavenly Father A blessèd angel came, and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same, how that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name: Refrain. And when they came to Bethlehem where our dear Saviour lay, they found him in a manger, where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling down, unto the Lord did pray: Refrain. Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place, and with true love and brotherhood each other new embrace; this holy tide of Christmas all other doth efface: Refrain. All sit

The Third Lesson Isaiah 9.2, 6-7: The prophecy of Christ’s coming

Anthem On Christmas night all Christians sing, to hear the news the angels bring. News of great joy, news of great mirth, news of our merciful King’s birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad since our Redeemer made us glad? when from our sin he set us free all for to gain our liberty? When sin departs before his grace, then life and health come in its place. Angels and men with joy may sing, all for to see the newborn King. All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing this night: ‘Glory to God and peace to men, now and for evermore. Amen. Text: English Traditional, Sussex Carol Arr. David Willcocks (b.1919)

The Fourth Lesson Micah 5.2-4: The future glory of little Bethlehem All stand

Carol

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. 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. Choir

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.

All

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

All sit

The Fifth Lesson Luke 1.26-38: The Annunciation to Mary

Anthem Ave, maris stella, Dei Mater alma, Atque semper Virgo, Felix caeli porta.

Hail, star of the sea, loving Mother of God, and also always a virgin, Happy gate of heaven.

Solve vincla reis, Profer lumen caecis, Mala nostra pelle, Bona cuncta posce

Break the chains of sinners, Bring light to the blind, Drive away our evils, Ask for all good.

Vitam praesta puram, Iter para tutum, Ut videntes Jesum, Semper collaetemur.

Keep life pure, Make the journey safe, So that, seeing Jesus, We may always rejoice together.

Sit laus Deo Patri, Summo Christo decus Spiritui Sancto, Tribus honor unus. Amen

Let there be praise to God the Father, Glory to Christ in the highest, To the Holy Spirit, One honour to all three. Amen. Text: Plainsong Vespers, 8th Century Music: Edvard Grieg (1843-1907)

The Sixth Lesson Matthew 1.18-23: The birth of Jesus

Anthem This Babe to us that now is born, Wonderful works He hath ywrought, He would not loss what was forlorn, But boldly again it brought; And thus it is Forsooth ywis, He asketh nought but that is His. Now may we singen, Now may we singen as it is. Quod puer natus est nobis. This bargain loved He right well, The price was high and bought full dear. Who would suffer and for us feel As did that Prince withouten peer? His ransom for us hath ypaid; Good reason have we to be His. Be mercy asked and He be prayed, Who may deserve the heavenly bliss. To some purpose God made man; I trust well to salvation. What was his blood that from him ran But fence against damnation? Almighty God in Trinity, Thy mercy we pray with whole heart, Thy mercy may all woe make fell And dangerous dread from us to start. Text: English Traditional, 15th Century Music: Cecilia McDowall (b.1955) Sung in the presence of the composer

All stand

Carol

SILENT 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 first saw the sight; glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light; radiance beams from thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. All sit

The Seventh Lesson Luke 2.8-16: The visit of the shepherds

Anthem In 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; heaven 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 breast full of milk, and a manger full of hay: enough for him, whom angels bow down before, the ox and ass and camel which adore.

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. Text: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) Music: Harold Darke (1888-1976)

The Eighth Lesson Matthew 2.1-11: The visit of the wise men All stand

Carol

O COME, COME all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem: come and behold Him, born the King of angels: Refrain: 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: Refrain Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing all ye citizens of heaven above: Glory to God in the Highest: Refrain

Remain standing for the Gospel

The Ninth Lesson John 1.1-14: The mystery of the incarnation

Anthem God is with us. Hear ye people, Even to the uttermost end of the earth. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. The people that dwell in the shadow of death, upon them the light has shined. For unto us a child is born! For unto us a son is given! And the government shall be upon his shoulder; And his name shall be called Wonderful! Counsellor! The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace. Hear ye people, Even to the uttermost end of the earth. God is with us. Christ is born! Christ is born! Christ is born! Orthodox Great Compline for Christmas Eve Music: John Tavener (b.1944)

Responsory and Collect All

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

All

For to us a child is born to us a Son is given.

All

All

His name will be called wonderful, counsellor, mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.

The Collect is prayed

The Blessing All

The Lord be with you and with thy spirit.

The Blessing is given

Carol

HARK! the herald-angels sing glory to the new-born 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 new-born King. Christ, by highest heaven 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 new-born King. Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen 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 new-born King.

Organ voluntary Louis Vierne (1870-1937) Final, 1ére Symphonie

During the organ voluntary, the Rector, Fellows and their guests leave the Chapel, followed by other members of the congregation.

Please join us in the Saskatchewan Room for mulled wine and mince pies.

The Chapel community wishes you

A Merry Christmas and

A Happy New Year