Organ Music 

Henri Mulet Noel 

Mark Blatchly Three Versets on Away in a Manger 

Introit 

Resonet in laudibus 

Let the voice of praise resound, 

Sweetest music all around, 

Holy Sion’s joy abound, 

The blessed Son of Mary, 

Text: 14th century German 

Music: Jakob Handl 1550-1591 

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 

Bernard Rose 1916-1996 

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 Hebrews 1  1-4 

Carol 

What child is this? 

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. 
 
Why lies he in such mean estate 
Where ox and ass are feeding? 
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here 
The silent Word is pleading. 
Nails, spear shall pierce him through, 
The cross be borne for me, for you. 
Hail, hail the Word made flesh, 
The babe, the son of Mary. 
 
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, 
Come, peasant, king, to own him; 
The King of kings salvation brings, 
Let loving hearts enthrone him. 
Raise, raise a song on high, 
The virgin sings her lullaby. 
Joy, joy, for Christ is born, 
The babe, the son of Mary. 

Text: William Chatterton Dix 1837-1898 

Music: Beck McGlade b. 1974 

Second Lesson St John 1  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 

All bells in paradise 

All bells in paradise 

Deep in the cold of winter, 
Darkness and silence were everywhere; 
Softly and clearly, there came through the stillness 
A wonderful sound to hear: 
All bells in paradise I heard them ring, 
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring; 
All bells in paradise I heard them ring, 
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King. 
All bells in paradise I heard them ring: 
'Glory to God on high' the angel voices sing. 

Lost in awe and wonder, 
Doubting I asked what this sign might be: 
Christ our Messiah revealed in a stable, 
A marvellous sight to see. 
All bells in paradise I heard them ring, 
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring; 
All bells in paradise I heard them ring, 

Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King. 

He comes down in peace, a child in humility, 
The keys to his kingdom belong to the poor; 
Before him shall kneel the kings with their treasures, 
Gold incense and myrrh. 
All bells in paradise I heard them ring, 
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring; 
All bells in paradise I heard them ring, 
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King. 
All bells in paradise I heard them ring: 
'Glory to God on high' the angel voices sweetly sing. 

Text and Music: John Rutter b.1945 

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