Sunday, 28 December 2014

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

SONG: GOOD KING WENCESLAS

Artist: Canadian Brass
Words/Music: Neale Anon
Recording: Philips 426 835

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.

Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”

“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.

“Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”

In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

THE THREE KINGS

Artist: Donald Sweeney (bar), Winchester Cathedral Choir
Words/Music: Bate/Cornelius, Nicolai
Label: Herald HAVPCD 231

Three kings from Persian lands afar
to Jordan follow the pointing star:
And this the quest of the travellers three,
where the new-born King of the Jews may be.
Full royal gifts they bear for the King:
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.

The star shines out with steadfast ray;
the kings to Bethlehem make their way,
and there in worship they bend the knee,
as Mary's child in her lap they see;
their royal gifts they show to the King:
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.

Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem
the kings are trav'ling, travel with them!
The star of mercy, the star of grace,
shall lead thy heart to its resting place.
Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring:
Offer thy heart to the infant King, offer thy heart!

SONG: HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING

Artist: Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford
Words/Music: C Wesley/Mendelssohn
Recording: Harmonia Mundi HMU 907495

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!”

Refrain
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn king!”

Christ, by highest heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
Refrain

Hail the heav’nly prince of peace!
Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Ris’n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Refrain

SONG: IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

Artist: The Sixteen
Words/Music: Rosetti/Darke
Recording: Coro COR 16085

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

SONG: UNTO US A BOY IS BORN

Artist: The Sixteen
Words/Music: Anon trans Ramsay/Trad
Recording: Coro COR 16085

Unto us a boy is born!
King of all creation,
came he to a world forlorn,
the Lord of every nation,
the Lord of every nation.

Cradled in a stall was he
with sleepy cows and asses;
but the very beasts could see
that he all men surpasses,
that he all men surpasses.

Herod then with fear was filled;
'A prince', he said, 'in Jewry!'
All the little boys he killed
at Bethl'em in his fury.
at Bethl'em in his fury.

Now may Mary's son, who came
so long ago to love us,
lead us all with hearts aflame
unto the joys above us.
unto the joys above us.

Omega and Alpha he!
Let the organ thunder,
while we sing our songs with glee
and rend the air asunder.
and rend the air asunder.

SONG: WHENCE IS THAT GOODLY FRAGRANCE

Artist: The Graduate Choir
Words/Music: Trad trans Ramsay/Trad
Recording: Atoll ACD 308

Whence is the goodly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our senses all away,
never the like did come a-blowing,
Shepherds, in flow'ry fields of May,
Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing,
Stealing our senses all away.

What is that light so brilliant, breaking
Here in the night across our eyes.
Never so bright, the day-star waking,
Started to climb the morning skies!
What is that light so brilliant, breaking,
Here in the night across our eyes.

Bethlehem! there in manger lying,
Find your Redeemer haste away,
Run ye with eager footsteps vieing!
Worship the Saviour born today.
Bethlehem! there in manger lying,
Find your Redeemer haste away.

SONG: O HOLY NIGHT

Artist: The Graduate Choir
Words/Music: Adam
Label: Atoll ACD 308

Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born!
Oh, night divine, oh, night, oh, night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother,
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! Oh, praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

SONG: SUSSEX CAROL

Artist: Academy and Chorus of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner
Words/Music: Wadding/Trad
Label: Philips 442 151

On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring.
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 men on earth be so sad
Since our Redeemer made us glad.
Then why should men on earth 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
When sin departs before his grace
Then life and health come in its place.
Angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the new born King.

All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night.
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night.
Glory to God and peace to men
Now and forever more, Amen.