St. Giles’ Cathedral
Morning Service at 11am
Christmas Day
Monday 25th December 2023
Organ Music
Henri Mulet Noel
Mark Blatchly Three Versets on Away in a Manger
Introit
Frohlocket ihr Völker auf Erden
Rejoice, ye people of the earth, and praise God!
The redeemer is come, whom the Lord has promised.
He has revealed his justice to the world.
Hallelujah!
Music: Felix Mendelssohn 1809-1847
Processional Hymn
See! in yonder manger low,
born for us on earth below;
see! the tender Lamb appears
promised from eternal years.
Hail, thou ever-blessèd morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'
Lo! within a manger lies
he who built the starry skies,
he who, throned in height sublime
sits amid the cherubim:
Say, ye holy shepherds, say,
what your joyful news today;
wherefore have ye left your sheep
on the lonely mountain steep?
‘As we watched at dead of night,
lo! we saw a wondrous light:
angels, singing peace on earth,
told us of the Saviour’s birth.’
Sacred Infant, all Divine,
what a tender love was thine,
thus to come from highest bliss
down to such a world as this!
Text: Edward Caswall 1814-78
Tune: Humility CH4 313 John Goss 1800-80
Scripture Sentences
The Preces
O Lord open thou our lips
Barry Rose b.1934
Bidding
Prayer
Collect
God our Father, your Word has come among us in the Holy Child of Bethlehem. Grant that the light of faith may illumine our hearts and shine in our words and deeds; through him who is Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, now and forever. Amen
Hymn
Away in a manger, no crib for a 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 you, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus: I ask you to stay
close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
Text: Little children’s book, Philadelphia 1885
Tune: Cradle Song CH4 312 William James Kirkpatrick 1838-1921
First Lesson Isaiah 52 7-10
Carol
Candlelight Carol
How do you capture the wind on the water?
How do you count all the stars in the sky?
How can you measure the love of a mother?
Or how can you write down a baby's first cry?
Text and Music: John Rutter b.1945
Second Lesson St Luke 2 1-14
Hymn
Good Christians all, rejoice
with heart, and soul, and voice!
now give heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today:
ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Good Christians all, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now ye hear of endless bliss,
Jesus Christ was born for this:
he has opened heaven's door,
and all are blessed for evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christians all, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
now you need not fear the grave,
Jesus Christ was born to save,
calls you one, and calls you all,
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
Text: J.M.Neale 1818-66
Music: In dulci jubilo CH4 322 German 14th Cent.
Sermon
Carol
Ding! dong! merrily on high
Ding! dong! merrily on high
In heav'n the bells are ringing;
Ding! dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing.
Gloria! Hosanna in excelsis!
E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And 'Io, io, io!'
By priest and people sungen:
Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers!
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers!
Text: George Ratcliffe Woodward 1848-1934
Music: 16th century French melody arr. Mack Wilberg b.1955
Prayer
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.
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:
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 this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given:
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing:
Text: Possibly by John Wade c1711-86
Tune: Adeste Fideles CH4 306 Possibly by John Wade c1711-86
Benediction
Organ Voluntary
Olivier Messiaen Dieu parmi nous
CCL Licence No 980930
Streaming Licence 57837
The service was conducted by The Rev Dr George J Whyte