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Introduction: Praying the Lord's Prayer During Advent
We invite you to use this program's scripture readings, anthem texts, and Heidelberg Catechism selections (themselves beautiful prayers) to guide your own personal and family prayer during this Advent season.
Thirty-Second Annual Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas
LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan
December 4, 2005
Organ Voluntary: Sonata No. 6 in D Minor, Felix Mendelssohn Listen
Choral: The first movement of this sonata is a set of variations based on the German chorale “Vater unser in Himmelreich” – “Our Father Who Art in Heaven.”
Fuga: The theme is reminiscent of the chorale melody.
Finale: The sonata closes with a quiet andante.
Processional Hymn: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Psalter Hymnal 341 Listen
Introduction (soloist):
“From heaven above to earth I come to bring good news to every home:
Glad tidings of great joy I bring to all the world, and gladly sing,
‘to you this night is born a child of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
this little child of lowly birth shall be the joy of all the earth.' ”
Organ Interlude (please stand at the beginning of the interlude)
Stanza 1-2: all
Stanza 3: in canon—all men begin, all women begin one measure later
Stanza 4: all
* Greeting Listen
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
People: Who made the heavens and the earth.
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: Amen.
Please be seated.
Bidding Prayer Listen
Leader: Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas, we prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its true meaning. We have gathered to hear, in readings from the holy scriptures, how the prophets of Israel foretold that God would visit and redeem his waiting people.
We rehearse again the account of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience to the glorious appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. We rejoice, in carols and hymns, that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and all creation is given hope by the power of the Spirit.
But first, we pray for the world which God so loves, for those who have not heard the good news of God, or who do not believe it; for those who walk in darkness and the shadow of death; and for the Church in this place and everywhere, that it may be freed from all evil and fear, and may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God.
These prayers we humbly offer as we meditate on each of the readings from holy scripture and as we prepare to pray the words that Jesus taught us.
Choir: Let All Who Pray Listen
Congregation joins on final stanza.
Text: Thomas H. Troeger (b. 1945), from Borrowed Light: Hymn Texts, Prayers and Poems
Text copyright © 1994 Oxford University Press
Music: tune Cheshire; Este's Psalmes [1592], alt., arr. John Ferguson
Music copyright © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc.
I. Our Father in Heaven
A Reading from Isaiah 9:6-7, 66:12-13 Listen
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
For thus says the LORD: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem .
Followed by
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, arr. J. Edmund Hughes (b. 1947) Listen
(tunes: Divinum mysterium, Es ist ein Ros)
Of the Father's love begotten |
Lo, how a rose e'er blooming |
—Of the Father's Love Begotten: Marcus Aurelius C. Prudentius, 4th c.; tr. John M. Neale, 1854, and
Henry W. Baker, 1859, alt.
—Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming: German, 15th c.; st. 1 tr. Theodore Baker, 1894
Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people.
I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him;
my hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.
The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.
I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.
My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted.
I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation!'
I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm.
I will establish his line forever, and his throne as long as the heavens endure.
—Psalm 89:19-29
Your Little Ones, Dear Lord, Are We, arr. Robert Scholz (b. 1939) Listen
(tune: Her kommer dine arme smaa; Johann A.P. Schulz [1747-1800])
Music arr. © 2005 Robert Scholz
A new composition written for this service of lessons and carols
Your little ones, dear Lord, are we,
and come your lowly bed to see;
enlighten every soul and mind,
that we the way to you may find.With songs we hasten you to greet,
and kiss the ground before your feet.
Oh, blessed hour, oh sweetest night
that gave you birth, our soul's delight.Oh, draw us wholly to you, Lord,
and to us all your grace accord;
true faith and love to us impart,
that we may hold you in our heart, O God.Glory to God! Glory to God! Glory to God!
All: Until at last we too proclaim,
with all your saints, your glorious name;
in paradise our songs renew,
and praise you as the angels do.Glory to God! Glory to God! Glory to God!
Our songs renew … your little ones praise you.
—Hans A. Brorson (1694-1764); tr. Harriet Krauth Spaeth, (1845-1925), alt.
Why did Christ command us to call God “our Father”?
At the very beginning of our prayer Christ wants to kindle in us what is basic to our prayer—the childlike awe and trust that God through Christ has become our Father. Our fathers do not refuse us the things of this life; God our Father will even less refuse to give us what we ask in faith.
Why the words “in heaven”? These words teach us not to think of God's heavenly majesty as something earthly, and to expect everything for body and soul from his almighty power.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 46, Q&A 120-121
II. Hallowed Be Your Name
A Reading from Psalm 99 and Ezekiel 39:25-29 Listen
The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he!
Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!
Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called on his name. They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.
He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them.
O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
Extol the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy.
***
Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for my holy name. They shall forget their shame, and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they live securely in their land with no one to make them afraid, when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies' lands, and through them have displayed my holiness in the sight of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD their God because I sent them into exile among the nations, and then gathered them into their own land. I will leave none of them behind; and I will never again hide my face from them, when I pour out my spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord GOD.
Followed by
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sanctus (from Missa Hosanna), Noël Goemanne (b. 1926) Listen
Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, |
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. |
…for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name….
—Song of Mary, Luke 1:49
…He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
—Song of Zechariah, Luke 1:72-75
Still, Still Night, arr. Jackson Berkey (b. 1942) Listen
(tune: Stille Nacht; Franz Gruber [1787-1863], 1818)
Silent night. Holy night.
Son of God, love's pure light,
radiant, beams from thy holy, holy face.
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Christ the Savior is born!
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar.
Heavenly choirs sing: “Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born!”
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.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.Son of God. Alleluia. Still, still night. Alleluia.
—Joseph Mohr (1792-1849), 1818; tr. John F. Young (1820-1885), 1863
What does the first request mean?
Hallowed be your name means, Help us to really know you, to bless, worship, and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from them: your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. Help us to direct all our living—what we think, say, and do—so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 47, Q&A 122
III. Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done
A Reading from Isaiah 11:1-10 Listen
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Followed by
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Canticle of Mary (Magnificat), Jeffrey L. Ames (b. 1969) and S. Scott Leaman (b. 1969) Listen
My soul doth magnify the Lord
and my spirit doth rejoice in God my Savior.
For he that is mighty hath done great things
and holy is his name.His mercy is upon them that fear him,
from generation to generation.He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath brought down rulers from their thrones
but hath lifted, lifted the humble.For he that is mighty hath done great things
and holy is his name.
—Luke 1:46-52
Jesucristo, esperanza del mundo/Jesus Christ, Hope of the World Listen
arr. Jorge Lockward (b. 1965) and Greg Scheer
[“Venga tu reino, Señor” means “May your kingdom come, Lord”]
Please join the choir on stanza 3.Text: Silvio Meincke, 1982; tr. from Portuguese by Pablo Sosa
Music: João Carlos Gottinari and Edmundo Reinhardt, 1982; arr. Jorge Lockward (b. 1965)
Text copyright © 1982 Silvio Meincke; trans. copyright © 1988 Pablo Sosa.
Music copyright © 1982 João Carlos Gottinari and Edmundo Reinhardt. Arr. copyright © 1994 Abingdon Press.
What does the second request mean?
Your kingdom come means, Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. Keep your church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil's work; destroy every force that revolts against you and every conspiracy against your Word. Do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 48, Q&A 123
What does the third request mean?
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven means, Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey your will without any back talk. Your will alone is good. Help us one and all to carry out the work we are called to, as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 49, Q&A 124
IV. Give Us Today Our Daily Bread
A Reading from Micah 5:2-5a and John 6:30-40 Listen
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.
***
So they said to [Jesus], ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ' Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.'
Followed by
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Jesus, Sun of Life, My Splendor (from Brockes Passion [HWV 48], 1716/1717) Listen
George F. Handel (1685-1759), arr. Paul G. Bunjes (tune: Schmucke dich)
Jesus, Sun of Life, my Splendor,
Jesus, thou, my Friend most tender,
Jesus, Joy of my desiring,
Fount of Life, my soul inspiring,
at thy feet I cry, my Maker,
let me be a fit partaker
of this blessed food from heaven,
for our good, thy glory, given.Jesus, Bread of Life, I pray thee,
let me gladly here obey thee,
by thy love I am invited,
be thy love with love requited;
from this Supper let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep love's treasure.
Through the gifts thou here dost give me
as thy guest in heav'n receive me.
—Johann Franck (1618-1677), 1649; tr. Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878), 1858
I Am the Bread of Life Listen
Stanza 1-3: choir (all on refrain)
Stanza 4: all
Text: Suzanne Toolan (b. 1927), based on John 6:35, 44; 11:25
Music: Suzanne Toolan; harm. Betty Pulkingham (b. 1928)
Text and music copyright © 1966 GIA Publications, Inc.
Descant by Greg Scheer
What does the fourth request mean?
Give us today our daily bread means, Do take care of all our physical needs so that we come to know that you are the only source of everything good, and that neither our work and worry nor your gifts can do us any good without your blessing. And so help us to give up our trust in creatures and to put trust in you alone.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 50, Q&A 125
V. Forgive Us Our Sins
A Reading from Isaiah 40:1-5 Listen
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Followed by
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
On Christmas Night, arr. Michael Bedford (b. 1949) (tune: Sussex Carol) Listen
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 mortals 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 mortals with joy may sing, all for to see the newborn King.All out of darkness we have light, which made the angels sing that night:
“Glory to God and peace to men, now and forevermore. Amen.”—English traditional carol
* Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Psalter Hymnal 345 Listen
What does the fifth request mean?
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors means, Because of Christ's blood, do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are, any of the sins we do or the evil that constantly clings to us. Forgive us, just as we are fully determined, as evidence of your grace in us, to forgive our neighbors.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 51, Q&A 126
VI. Save Us from the Time of Trial
A Reading from Malachi 4:1-3 and Matthew 24:29-35 Listen
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.
***
‘Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Followed by
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Advent Canticle, arr. Joel Navarro (b. 1955) Listen
(tunes: Prospect [W. Walker, Southern Harmony, 1835]; Burleigh (African-American spiritual])
A new composition written for this service of lessons and carols
—The Hills Are Bare at Bethlehem: Royce J. Scherf (b. 1929), alt. Text copyright © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship
—My Lord, What a Morning: African-American spiritual; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 6:12-17
O Little Town of Bethlehem, arr. Stephen Paulus (b. 1949) Listen
(tune: St. Louis, Lewis H. Redner [1831-1908], 1868)
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.For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above,
while mortals sleep the angels keep
their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars together
proclaim the Holy Birth;
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth.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.—Phillips Brooks (1835-1893), 1868
The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.'
—Genesis 3:14-15
What does the sixth request mean?
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one means, By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies—the devil, the world, and our own flesh—never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 52, Q&A 127
VII. For the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory Are Yours
A Reading from John 1:1-4, 14 Listen
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
Followed by
Leader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 24, Anglican chant, Joseph Barnby (1838-1896) Listen
The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.
They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation.
Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
* Hymn: Lift Up Your Heads, O Gates, Psalter Hymnal 163 Listen
(tune: Vineyard Haven, Richard Dirksen [b. 1921], 1974; arr. Richard Dirksen)
Stanza 1-2: choir
Stanza 3-4: all
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, ‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!' And the elders fell down and worshiped.
—Revelation 5:11-14
* Prayer Listen
Leader: Let us pray:
All: Almighty God, you wonderfully created
and yet more wonderfully restored the dignity of human nature.
In your mercy, let us share the divine life of Jesus Christ
who came to share our humanity,
who ever lives to pray for us,
and who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
—Book of Common Prayer, p. 218, alt.
* The Lord's Prayer, Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908), Listen
arr. George Black (1931-2003)
All sing as directed.
Text: Matthew 6:9-13; English translation of the Lord's Prayer copyright © 1988 by the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC).
Music: Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908), arr. George Black (1931-2003)
Music arr. copyright © George Black estate
What does your conclusion to this prayer mean?
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever means, We have made all these requests of you because, as our all-powerful King, you not only want to, but are able to give us all that is good; and because your holy name, and not we ourselves, should receive all the praise, forever.
What does that little word “Amen” express?
Amen means, This is sure to be! It is even more sure that you listen to our prayer, than that we really desire what we pray for.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 52, Q&A 128-129, alt.
* Charge
Leader: Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
hold fast to that which is good;
render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the faint-hearted;
support the weak;
help the afflicted;
honor all people;
love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
* Benediction
Pastor: And may the God of peace
make you holy in every way
and keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—
free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
—1 Thessalonians 5:23
All: Alleluia! Amen!
* Recessional Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful, Psalter Hymnal 340 Listen
Organ Voluntary: Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella, Keith Chapman Listen
* All who are able, please stand.
Notes and Permissions
The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols was first sung at the Cathedral of Truro, England, and was later adapted for use in King's College Chapel, Cambridge, where the service has been sung each Christmas since 1918. The service has been sung by the Calvin College Campus Choir since 1974, when the choir was directed by Prof. Merle Mustert, with the Women's Chorale joining the choir since 2003.
These recent programs are available.
The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The sidebars are taken from the Heidelberg Catechism Q&A's 120-129 related to each petition. Heidelberg Catechism (1563), translated from the first edition of the German text. © 1988, CRC Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Used by permission.