Wednesday 25 December 10am – CHOIR and ORCHESTRA

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The Nativity of the Lord: Mass of Christmas Day

Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory

Word_Became_Flesh_Nativity

  • Introit: (Gregorian) Puer natus est nobis, et filius datus est nobis, cujus imperium super humerum ejus et vocabitur nomen ejus, magni consilii Angelus. A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us: Whose government is upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called: the Angel of Great Counsel.
  • Mass setting: Missa brevis in Bb KV 275 (Mozart)
  • Motet: And there were shepherds… Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light*, from Christmas Oratorio (J.S. Bach)
  • Communio: Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri. All the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.
  • Hymns: Hark the Herald Angels sing; Away in a manger; O come all ye faithful
  • Organ Prelude: Entrée de la Procession (Messe du Jour de Noël) – Alexandre Boëly (1785-1858)
  • Organ Offertorium: The Child was born in Bethlehem – Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
  • Organ Voluntary: Sortie (Messe du Jour de Noël) – Alexandre Boëly (1785-1858)

Organist: Bransby Byrne

*Recit:
And there were shepherds in the same country
Abiding in the field, keeping watch by night over their flock,
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them
And the glory of the Lord shone round about them
And they were sore afraid, and the angel said to them:

Recit:
Be not afraid: behold, for I bring good tidings of great joy
Which shall be to all the people
For unto you this day a Saviour is born which is Christ the Lord,
In the city of David

Chorale:
Break forth, O beauteous heav’nly light,
And usher in the morning;
Ye shepherds, shrink not with affright,
But hear the angel’s warning.
This Child, now weak in infancy,
Our confidence and joy shall be;
The pow’r of Satan breaking,
Our peace eternal making.