Sunday, 27 December 2015

SONG: BREAK FORTH, O BEAUTEOUS HEAVENLY LIGHT

Artist: Robert Shaw Chamber Singers
Words/Music: Von Rist/Anon harm Bach
Recording: Telarc 480461

Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,
and usher in the morning.
O shepherds, shudder not with fright,
but hear the angel's warning:
this child, now weak in infancy,
our confidence and joy shall be,
the power of Satan breaking,
our peace eternal making.

SONG: WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS

Artist: Cantus Choro
Words/Music: Monsell/Anon
Recording: Move 743142

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
gold of obedience and incense of lowliness
bring, and adore him; the Lord is his Name!

Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness,
high on his heart he will bear it for thee,
comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,
guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness
of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine;
truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
these are the offerings to lay on His shrine.

These, though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,
he will accept for the Name that is dear;
mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
trust for our trembling, and hope for our fear.

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
gold of obedience and incense of lowliness
bring, and adore him; the Lord is his name!

SONG: THE THREE KINGS

Artist: Choir of Winchester Cathedral, Donald Sweeney (bar)
Words/Music: Bate/Cornelius, Nicolai
Recording: Herald HAVCD 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: O HOLY NIGHT

Artist: Elora Festival Singers, Noel Edison (dir), Michael Bloss (organ)
Words/Music: Cappeau trans Dwight/Adam
Recording: Naxos 8.573421

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: LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

Artist: Choir of St Paul’s Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir)
Words/Music: Rosetti/Archer
Recording: Griffin GCCD 4051

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas;
star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the God-head,
Love incarnate, Love divine;
worship we our Jesus,
but wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token;
love be yours and love be mine;
love to God and others,
love for plea and gift and sign.

SONG: WHO IS HE IN YONDER STALL

Artist: Elora Festival Singers, Noel Edison (dir), Michael Bloss (organ)
Words/Music: Hanby/Hanby, Young
Recording: Naxos 8.573421

Who is he in yonder stall
at whose feet the shepherds fall?

Refrain:
'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
'Tis the Lord, the King of glory;
at his feet we humbly fall,
crown him, crown him Lord of all!

Who is He, who stands and weeps,
at the grave where Laz’rus sleeps?
Refrain:

Who is he in Calvary's throes
asks for blessings on his foes?
Refrain:

Who is he who from the grave
comes to seek and help and save?
Refrain:

SONG: UNTO US A BOY IS BORN

Artist: Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick, Christopher Betts (dir) ,Christopher Monk (organ)
Words/Music: Anon trans Dearmer/Anon arr Shaw
Recording: Priory PRCD 706

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.