Lessons & Carols Dec. 6, 2020

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Blacknall Worship from Home
Lessons & Carols
December 6, 2020

 

Prelude | “What Child is This?”

Scott Laird, violin

Invocation

Beloved in Christ, at this Christmas-tide let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Therefore let us read and mark in holy scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious redemption brought us by this Holy Child.  And let us commit ourselves to prayer for the world, for peace on earth and goodwill among all people, and for unity and brotherhood within the church He came to build.

And because this would rejoice His heart, let us remember, in His name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children; and those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love Him not, or who by unrepentant sin have grieved His heart of love.

Lastly, let us praise God for all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are one forevermore.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ Himself has taught us.

The Lord’s Prayer                                  

Our Father, which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.   And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.

 

Lighting the Advent Candles

Light 2 purple candles. The first candle represents the hope that Jesus brings. The second candle reminds us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Scripture Reading | Micah 5:2,4,5a

2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 5a And he will be our peace.

Prayer:  Gracious and ever-Faithful God, over the centuries your people have prayed, “Maranatha.”  Come Lord Jesus!  Come!  And we remember that the Messiah is called the Prince of Peace -- and we certainly need peace today!  As we continue our journey through this Advent season, be among us with your guiding Spirit.  Open our eyes that we might see, open our ears that we might hear, and open our hearts that we might truly worship in spirit and truth your Son, who is coming again.  In anticipation we pray this in Jesus’ mighty name.  Amen.

Carol | “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

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!

True God of true God, Light from Light eternal
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten not created:
O come, let us adore Him…

Sing, choirs of angels! Sing in exultation!
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:
“Glory to God, all glory in the highest!”
O come, let us adore Him…

Words (in Latin) by John F. Wade, about 1743
Tune “Adeste Fidelis” attributed variously to John Wade, John Reading, or Simao Portogallo.

First Lesson | Isaiah 9:2-7

 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.      

Carol | “Savior of the Nations, Come”

Savior of the nations, come;
Virgin’s Son, here make Thy home!
Marvel now, O heaven and earth,
That the Lord chose such a birth.

Not by human flesh and blood;
By the Spirit of our God
Was the Word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.

Thou, the Father’s only Son,
Hast over sin the victory won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
When shall we its glories see?

Words by Ambrose of Milan 4th C.; trans. Latin to German by Martin Luther, 1523;
trans. German to English by William Reynolds, 1851.  Music by Johann Walther, approx. 1524;
harmonized by Seth Calvisius, 1594; alternate harmonization by J.S. Bach.

Second Lesson | Isaiah 11:1-9

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him-
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;

4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.

7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

 Carol | “Vicit Agnus” (choir)

Vicit agnus noster eum sequamur.
(Our Lamb has conquered; let us follow Him)

Did Abraham himself not say God would provide a lamb
To take instead the punishment that should belong to man?
And so to humble shepherds was His glory first revealed,
And with His birth a covenant made long ago was sealed.

Out of His dark obscurity the light of God has shone,
And through the meekness of the Lamb
God’s strength would be made known.
The just and gentle Promised One would triumph o’er the fall,
And conquer by His own defeat, and win by losing all. 

Words and Music by Michael Card. 

Third Lesson | Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. 

Carol | “Do Not Be Afraid”

Choir, recorded as part of Lessons&Carols 2017

 Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
When you walk through the waters, I’ll be with you; you will never sink beneath the waves.
When the fire is burning all around you, you will never be consumed by the flames.
When the fear of loneliness is looming, then remember I am at your side.
When you dwell in the exile of a stranger, remember you are precious in My eyes.
You are Mine, O My child, I am your Father, and I love you with a perfect love.
Do not be afraid: you are Mine. 

Words based on Isaiah 43, adapted by the composer.  Music by Philip Stopford.

Fourth Lesson | Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

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 the song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The babe, the Son of Mary.

Words by William C. Dix, 1865.  Traditional English melody, “Greensleeves.”

Fifth Lesson | John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Carol | “Jesus, I Adore Thee” (choir)

Jesus I adore Thee, Word of truth and grace,
Who in glory shineth light upon our race.
Christ, to Thee surrendered, my whole heart is bowed,
Alpha and Omega, Thou true Son of God.

Taste and touch and vision to discern Thee fail;
Faith that comes by hearing pierces through the veil.
I believe whate’er the Son of God hath told;
What the Truth hath spoken, that for truth I hold. 

Word of God incarnate, Lord of life and light,
Teach me how to love and worship Thee aright.
Holy Spirit, ever abide within my heart,
Speaking Thy commandments, telling all Thou art.

Wondrous revelation, verity and grace.
Lo, in glory’s heav’n I see Thee face to face.
Light of endless light whom heav’n and earth adore,
Fill me with Thy radiance, now and evermore.

Words (in Latin) by Thomas Aquinas.  Music by Stephen Caracciola.

Proclamation of the Word | Pastor David Dunderdale

John 1:29-37
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 

Carol | “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

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!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased as Man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.

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 we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

Words by Charles Wesley, 1739.  Music by Felix Mendelssohn, 1840, adapted by William Cummings, 1857.

Benediction

Carol | “The First Noel”

Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
Who hath made heaven and earth of naught,
and with His blood our life hath bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel!

About the Music

By Dave Stuntz

VICIT AGNUS -- “Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”  What things?  Luke records these words after the shepherds’ visit, but I think we can safely assume that her pondering increases as does the list of “all these things.”  I am not a mother, but I have sat up in the middle of the night and rocked a newborn back to sleep, staring with incredulity into that round face, cradling in my palm those perfect, tiny hands.  “Vicit Agnus” is Michael Card’s probing examination of apparent contradictions: God the Righteous taking our punishment, strength through meekness, victory from seeming defeat.  Notice the progression of the refrain, as if the pilgrim procession comes ever closer, pauses to loudly rejoice, then continues at the very end, until almost out of sight.  Look carefully at the final line of text: This is central to much of Jesus’ teaching, and certainly is part of the “stumbling block or foolishness” of the Gospel. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…and we have seen Him…” 

JESUS I ADORE THEE – The prayer “Adoro te devoto” is highly honored by the Catholic Church, and rightfully so.  Written by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), it expresses an intense desire to know Christ experientially – the opposite of knowing lots about Him.  It is full of passionate aspiration, as if Aquinas had been reading Philippians 3, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection…”  When I compare this prayer to mine, I realize how self-centered, instead of Christ-centered, they are.  Listen to how this prayer links to the passage from John 1 that was just read – how does John’s soaring passage elevate your thougts and prayers?  May we take our cue today from Brother Thomas. 

DO NOT BE AFRAID -- The choir recorded this piece as part of Lessons&Carols in 2017.  Drawn mostly from Isaiah 43, it was the central message of the day.  This is the 4th time this song has been used in this Year of the ___ -- fill in the blank.  From virus-caused deaths and despair, to political turbulence beyond measure, prolonged and sometimes-violent demonstrations centered on human/racial inequalities…  I bet that each of us has a “favorite” answer (wrong word, but you understand).  In all of it, the call of the Incarnation is the same:  Do not be afraid, because you are Mine, says the Lord.  Everything said in Isaiah 43 is grounded in chapter 40’s statement, “The word of the Lord stands forever.”  Our assurances and promises all contain the word, “maybe.”  I will love you – unless I don’t; I will forgive you – unless I don’t want to.  God’s promises are grounded in His covenants, and they are a verbal manifestation of His heart.  So there is no “out” for God – there is only “in” for us, into His arms, into His family.  As happens throughout Scripture, Christ’s coming involves an exchange: we are invited to lay aside our fear, and receive His peace, and as a fruit of that peace, joy beyond the often-painful circumstances of our lives.  Think of someone you know who would benefit from it, and send the recording.  When you do, you are saying to that one, Don’t be afraid; you are His, and He loves you.  What better gift could you give? 

OVERALL – I have been asked numerous times in the past couple of months, “Are we going to do Lessons&Carols?  If so, what will it look like” My answer: Yes, and (as Jesus says), come and you will see.  It is actually quite similar to what we have done for over 20 years, but smaller, as if L&C2019 was put on a severe diet and came out like this.  Obviously, all of us understand the realities of this year, and how it has decimated choirs across the world.  Ah, but if you look closely, you will notice that there are 2 recordings today from our hardy singers, and another we have borrowed from L&C2017; those recordings are rather like the shoot growing out of Jesse’s stump, a sprig of sound in a season of separation and silence.  The process is laborious and, bluntly, doesn’t really scratch the itch; but the choir’s love for the musical expressions of the gospel, and their love for this congregation and for one another, pulled them forward.  I couldn’t be more proud, or more grateful.

If you have attended Lessons&Carols in recent years, you know that many of the Scripture passages have been read in languages other than English.  Suggestion: If you are worshiping today in a small group, see if someone might like to read one or more of the passages in that way.  The Bible is readily available online in essentially any language.  It’s a great reminder: Christ was born in Bethlehem, but the Light shines around the world.

The framework is familiar: We look to a series of Scripture readings to take us from prophecy to proclamation, from Isaiah to the Incarnate Light described by John.  After each reading, there is a carol.  If it is choral, enjoy listening.  If it is congregational, you will hear 1-2 vocalists, and 1 or more string players.  The challenges faced by those sweet musicians have been different, but very much the same as for the choir: how do we do this collaborative, congregational thing when we can’t be together?  So, a theme of the first week of Advent looms larger than in any “normal” year: So close, and yet so very far. 

But that phrase is really not the gospel.  In fact, it’s backwards – the Distant God (based on our own fears and failings, combined with the world’s severe maladies) is found to be not only not distant, but close; in fact, right-here-close.  I am reminded this year of how much power I have granted to small things, as if somehow it isn’t really Christmas unless (for example) we have a grand Lessons&Carols production, with uncountable hours of rehearsal, arrangements, coordinating schedules, rehearsal (did I already mention that one?)… Jesus doesn’t come because of our traditions or trees; per Deuteronomy 7, “The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore…”  His motivation is not based on us, but on Himself, His choice to love us – so do not be afraid.

Here’s the truth which we must embrace, both because it’s the truth and because it’s for our own good: This is REALLY Christmas, maybe the most real of our lifetime.  God has come to us, the poor, the downtrodden, the fearful, the exhausted, to offer Himself:  He is Hope and Light, He is Rest and Reconciliation, He is Sustenance and Salvation.  He has come, just like He said He would.  So dry your eyes, wash your hands, and lift up your heads – the King of Glory is at the door.  He is Life and Peace, and you will be excited to find that He is very contagious.  Let’s join the angels, and worship – let’s sing separated-but-together: Glory to the new-born King!