Prelude • “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” • Johann Pachelbel
Choral Prelude • Once In Royal David’s City
Processional Hymn • Angels We Have Heard On High
Members of the choir will sing verses in languages of their respective origins.
All sing the refrain following each verse, verse 4 will be sung by everyone
1. Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echo back their joyous strains.
Refrain
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be Which inspire your heav’nly song.
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
4. See him in a manger laid Whom the angels praise above; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While we raise our hearts in love.
Hymn: Emmanuel
Members of the choir will sing each verse followed by the refrain.
The Congregation will sing the refrain.
Come, come, Emmanuel! Son of God, appear. Heaven and earth, rejoice! Salvation is drawing near. Salvation is drawing near.
Hymn • God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
1. God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay; remember Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray.
Refrain: O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
2. From God our heav’nly Father a blessed angel came and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same, how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name. [Refrain]
Hymn • O Little Town of Bethlehem • Heritage Missal #89
1. 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.
2. For Christ is born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wond’ring love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the King, And peace to all on earth.
3. How silently, how silently, The wonderous gift is giv’n! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heav’n. No ear may hear his coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in.
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem! Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!
Hymn • The First Nowell • Heritage Missal #241
1. The first Nowell, the angel did say, Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Refrain: Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Born is the King of Israel.
2. They looked up and saw a star Shining in the east, beyond them far; And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.
3. And by the light of that same star Three wise men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent, And to follow the star wherever it went.
Hymn • We Three Kings• Heritage Missal #242
1. We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, Moor and mountain, Following yonder star.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright; Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.
2. Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown him again, King forever, Ceasing never Over us all to reign.
3. Frankincense to offer have I: Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising Gladly raising, Worship him, God on high.
4. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, Bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
5. Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; “Alleluia, Alleluia!” Sounds through the earth and skies.
Hymn • Night of Silence • Heritage Missal #236
1. Cold are the people, winter of life, We tremble in shadows this cold endless night, Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping, Flowers that will echo the sunrise, Fire of hope is our only warmth, Weary, its flame will be dying soon.
2. Voice in the distance, call in the night, On wind you enfold us, you speak of the light, Gentle on the ear you whisper softly, Rumors of a dawn so embracing, Breathless love awaits darkened souls, Soon will we know of the morning.
3. Spirit among us, shine like the star, Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar, Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely, Rising in the warmth of your Son’s love, Star unknowing of night and day, Spirit we wait for your loving Son.
Hymn • Silent Night • Heritage Missal #235
1. 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, Sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight; Glories stream from heaven afar; Heav’nly hosts sing “Alleluia! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.”
3. Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Hymn • Hark! the Herald Angels Sing • Heritage Missal #235
1. 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 angelic hosts proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
2. 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 as man with us to dwell; Jesus, our Emmanuel!
3. Hail the heav’n-born 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 we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth.