Westminster Abbey. The First Eucharist of Christmas. Blessing of the Crib. 24 th December pm. and

Transcription

1 Westminster Abbey The First Eucharist of Christmas and Blessing of the Crib 24 th December pm

2 DEAN S WELCOME Welcome to Westminster Abbey as you join the community in a tradition of worship in this holy place that has already lasted a thousand years. You come into the presence of almighty God to hear his holy Word and to join in the celebration of the Eucharist, to sing the Christmas hymns and to be uplifted by the music. It is our prayer that you will experience during this service the joy and peace of Christmas and be strengthened in your Christian pilgrimage of life. Tonight s service is broadcast live by BBC Television. All who regularly receive Holy Communion in their own churches are welcome to do so at this service. If you are not a communicant you are welcome to come forward for a Blessing. If you do so please carry this service sheet as an indication to those administering. At communion you will be guided by the vergers and stewards. Please follow their directions. Please join in singing the hymns and in saying the words printed in bold type. Large-print orders of service are available from the Vergers. Members of the congregation are kindly requested to refrain from using private cameras, video, or sound recording equipment. Please ensure that mobile phones, pagers, and other electronic devices are switched off. The church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked T. As you leave the church a collection is taken: it will be divided equally between Shelter and Crisis (supporting homeless people in London) and the work of the Abbey. If you are a UK taxpayer and would like to take advantage of the Gift Aid scheme please ask for a Gift Aid envelope. The cover illustration, of the Nativity, is taken from The Litlyngton Missal, commissioned by Nicholas Litlyngton, Abbot of Westminster, in Setting: Zoltán Kodály ( ) Missa brevis Music before the service: Rhapsodie sur des Noëls Eugène Gigout ( ) Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BWV Johann Sebastian Bach ( ) La Nativité Jean Langlais ( ) 2

3 The Gathering and Blessing of the Crib All stand as the Clergy move to the Great West Door. All sing THE 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: See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle, leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear; we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps: 3

4 As the procession moves through the Nave all turn to face the Crib and remain standing. The Dean says: Dear Friends, as we meet this night to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us pray that God will bless this Crib, that all who worship his Son, born of the Virgin Mary, may come to share his life in glory. God our Father, on this night your Son Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary for us and for our salvation; bless this Crib which we have prepared to celebrate his holy birth; may all who see it be strengthened in faith, and receive the fulness of life he came to bring; who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen. The Crib is sprinkled with Holy Water and censed. All resume the singing of THE HYMN: Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger, fain we embrace thee, with awe and love; who would not love thee, loving us so dearly? O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord! 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, Jesu, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: Adeste fideles 30 NEH Adeste fideles attributed to John Francis Wade attributed to John Francis Wade ( ) translated Frederick Oakeley ( ) descant by Philip Ledger ( ) 4

5 The President says: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The President greets the congregation to which all respond: and also with you. All remain standing. The President introduces THE PRAYERS OF PENITENCE, after which all say: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen. The President gives THE ABSOLUTION. All respond: Amen. All sit after the opening phrase GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO sung by the Choir: Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 5

6 All stand for THE COLLECT. The President sings: Let us pray. A short period of silence is kept. Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your one true light: bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Liturgy of the Word All sit for THE OLD TESTAMENT READING, read from the Nave Pulpit: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onwards and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9: 2 7 This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 6

7 All stand to sing THE HYMN: O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by: yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth; for Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love. Choir only: How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. All: O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell: O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel. Forest Green 32 NEH Phillips Brooks ( ) English traditional melody descant by Thomas Armstrong ( ) All sit for THE EPISTLE, read from the Great Lectern: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are selfcontrolled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. St Titus 2: This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 7

8 All stand for THE PROCESSION OF THE GOSPEL: Choir: Alleluia! All: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. St John 1: 14 All: Alleluia! All remain standing for THE GOSPEL, facing the reader. When the Gospel is announced the reader says: The Lord be with you; and also with you. Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours! This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. St Luke 2: 1 14 All remain standing. The Choir sings: Puer natus in Bethlehem, Alleluia! unde gaudet Jerusalem. Alleluia! Hic jacet in præsepio, Alleluia! qui regnat sine termino. Alleluia! Samuel Scheidt ( ) A boy is born in Bethlehem, Alleluia! thus Jerusalem rejoices. Alleluia! He lies in a manger, Alleluia! who reigns without end. Alleluia! anonymous 8

9 THE SERMON by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster All stand to say THE NICENE CREED: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. All remain standing for THE INTERCESSIONS. At the end of each petition there is said: Lord, in your mercy; hear our prayer. The Intercession ends: Merciful Father, accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 9

10 All remain standing for THE PEACE. The President says: Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace. The peace of the Lord be always with you; and also with you. Members of the Congregation may greet each other with a sign of peace, most commonly a handshake. The Liturgy of the Sacrament All sing THE HYMN during which the gifts of bread and wine are offered at the Altar: It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old, from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold: Peace on the earth, good-will to men, from heaven s all gracious King! The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, with peaceful wings unfurled; and still their heavenly music floats o er all the weary world: above its sad and lowly plains they bend on hovering wing; and ever o er its Babel-sounds the blessèd angels sing. Yet with the woes of sin and strife the world has suffered long; beneath the angel-strain have rolled two thousand years of wrong; and man, at war with man, hears not the love-song which they bring: O hush the noise, ye men of strife, and hear the angels sing! For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet bards foretold, when, with the ever-circling years comes round the age of gold; when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendours fling, and the whole world give back the song which now the angels sing. Noël 29 NEH Edmund Hamilton Sears ( ) English traditional melody adapted by Arthur Sullivan ( ) 10

11 All remain standing for THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER: The President continues the Eucharistic Prayer. The Choir sings SANCTUS: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth, pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. All remain standing. The President continues the Eucharistic Prayer. Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again. The President continues the Eucharistic Prayer, at the end of which all sing: Amen. All remain standing. The President says: As we join our prayers with those of the Church Universal, so we say, each in our own language, the prayer that Jesus Christ has taught us, Notre père, qui es aux cieux Vater Unser im Himmel Padre nostro che sei nei cieli Padre nuestro, que esta en el cielo Our Father, who 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 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. Amen. 11

12 All remain standing for THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD. The President breaks the consecrated bread, saying: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread. The President says: Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed. The Congregation is invited to sit as the President and other ministers begin THE DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION. Those wishing to receive Communion come forward as directed by the Stewards. If you receive Communion in your own church you are welcome to do so here. Gluten-free wafers are at each communion station. If you require one please indicate so to the priest. Those who do not wish to receive Communion are invited to come for a blessing. Please carry this booklet with you to indicate to the priest that you are asking for a blessing. The minister says to each communicant: The Body of Christ. Amen. The Blood of Christ. Amen. During Communion, the Choir sings: Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace. 12

13 All remain kneeling or seated to sing THE HYMN: Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright; round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, shepherds first saw the sight: glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing Alleluia: Christ the Saviour is born! Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love s pure light; radiance beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Stille Nacht 35 NEH George Boorne Timms ( ) Franz Grüber ( ) altered based on Josef Mohr ( ) The Choir sings THE MOTET: O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, jacentem in praesepio. O beata virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Jesum Christum. Alleluia! O great mystery and wondrous sign, that the animals should see the Lord born, lying in a manger. Blessed is the Virgin, whose womb was counted worthy to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia! Tomás Luis de Victoria (c ) respond for Matins of Christmas Day 13

14 After Communion All stand to sing THE HYMN: Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the new-born King; peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled: joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies, with the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the new-born King. Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, late in time behold him come, offspring of a Virgin s womb! Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with man 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 man no more may die, born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Mendelssohn 26 NEH Charles Wesley ( ) Felix Mendelssohn ( ) 14

15 All remain standing to say THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER: God our Father, in this night you have made known to us again the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him until the day dawns and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. The President pronounces THE BLESSING: The Lord be with you; and also with you. May the Father, who has loved the eternal Son from before the foundation of the world, shed that love upon you his children. Amen. May Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy and peace. Amen. May the Holy Spirit, by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer, give you grace to carry the good news of Christ. Amen. And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. Music after the service: Dieu parmi nous from La nativité du Seigneur Olivier Messiaen ( ) As you leave the Abbey a collection is taken: it will be divided equally between Shelter and Crisis (supporting homeless people in London) and the work of the Abbey. If you are a UK tax-payer and would like to take advantage of the Gift Aid scheme please ask for a Gift Aid envelope. 15

16 25 th December CHRISTMAS DAY 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) in St Margaret s Church am Sung Eucharist attendance at this service is by free ticket only The Very Reverend Dr John Hall Dean of Westminster 3.00 pm Evensong* Services marked * are sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey. Details of all Abbey Services are available at the Abbey website: Hymns covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no and MRL no Common Worship (Church House Publishing, 2000), material from which is included in this service, is copyright The Archbishops Council. Scripture Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version. 16