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CAROLERS ASSEMBLE
"O HOLY NIGHT" flutes, piano, Eric, HYMN: # 1 "0 Come All Ye Faithful" The text to the Carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. (http://www.carols.org.uk/o_come_all_ye_faithful.ht) Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful By: John F. Wade Oh, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant! Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him Born the king of angels: Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, 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: Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given! Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing! Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord. SCENE I: Luke 2: 1-7, Morgan WaIler Luke 2:1-7 New International Version (NIV) The Birth of Jesus 2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Carol #2 "Once In Royal David's City" The words to the carol Once in Royal Davids city were written by Mrs. C.F. Alexander ( 1818 - 1895 ) and makes wonderful use of the English language to paint a picture of the events of the nativity. Mrs. Alexander wrote many poems for children, chiefly on religious subjects and was the wife of the Bishop of Derry. The music to Once in Royal Davids city was composed by H.J. Gauntlett. This carol is believed to have first been published in the early nineteenth century. (http://www.carols.org.uk/once_in_royal_davids_city.htm) 1 Once in royal David's City Stood a lowly cattle-shed, Where a mother laid her Baby, In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little Child. 2 He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall; With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Saviour Holy. 5 And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love, For that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heaven above; And He leads His children on To the place where He is gone. SCENE 11: Luke 2: 8-16a, Thorton Westley 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. Carol #3 "Angels We Have Heard On High" Words: Traditional French carol, "Les Anges dans nos Campagnes" Translated from French to English by Bishop James Chadwick (1813-1882); Appeared in Holy Family Hymns (1860) and The Crown of Jesus Music (1864, adapted by Henri Friedrich HÄmy). Music: "Gloria (Barnes)," an adaptation of the French carol melody “Les anges dans nos campagnes,” arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes (1887-1958). (http://www.thebluegrassspecial.com/archive/2010/december10/anderson-bleak-midwinter-december-2010.php) Angels We Have Heard on High Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Refrain Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song? Refrain Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King. Refrain SCENE Ill: Matthew 2:1-12, Trevor Lamb Matthew 2:1-12 New International Version (NIV) The Magi Visit the Messiah2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Carol #4 "As With Gladness Men of Old" Words: William C. Dix, 1860. He wrote this hymn on the day of the Epiphany, while sick in bed; it was first published in his Hymns of Love and Joy. Music: Dix, Konrad Kocher, Stimmen aus dem Reiche Gottes, 1838 (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/s/aswithgl.htm) As with gladness, men of old Did the guiding star behold As with joy they hailed its light Leading onward, beaming bright So, most glorious Lord, may we Evermore be led to Thee. As with joyful steps they sped To that lowly manger bed There to bend the knee before Him Whom Heaven and earth adore; So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy seat. As they offered gifts most rare At that manger rude and bare; So may we with holy joy, Pure and free from sin’s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King. SCENE IV: Matthew 2: 13-18, Diane Galipeau Matthew 2:13-18 New International Version (NIV) The Escape to Egypt13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more. Carol by Carolers: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys. The lyrics of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen are traditional olde English and are reputed to date back to the 15th century although the author is unknown.. It is believed that this particular carol was sung to the gentry by town watchmen who earned additional money during the Christmas season. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen continues to be enjoyed. The lyrics to this simple carol are reputed to be one of the oldest carols. (http://www.carols.org.uk/god_rest_ye_merry_gentlemen.htm) God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember, Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy In Bethlehem, in Israel, This blessed Babe was born And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn The which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy From God our Heavenly 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. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy "Fear not then," said the Angel, "Let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of a pure Virgin bright, To free all those who trust in Him From Satan's power and might." O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm and wind: And went to Bethlehem straightway The Son of God to find. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy And when they came to Bethlehem Where our dear Saviour lay, They found Him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay; His Mother Mary kneeling down, Unto the Lord did pray. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface. O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy "Good King Wenceslas" by Carolers The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853, the music originates in Finland 300 years earlier. This Christmas carol is unusual as there is no reference in the lyrics to the nativity. Good King Wenceslas was the king of Bohemia in the 10th century. Good King Wenceslaswas a Catholic and was martyred following his assassination by his brother Boleslaw and his supporters, his Saint's Day is September 28th, and he is the Patron Saint of the Czech Republic. St. Stephen's feast day was celebrated on 26th December which is why this song is sung as a Christmas carol. (http://www.carols.org.uk/good_king_wenceslas.htm) 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 thou know'st 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 flesh and bring me wine Bring me pine logs hither Thou and I will see him dine When we bear him thither." Page and monarch forth they went Forth they went together Through the rude 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 thou in them boldly Thou shalt find the winter's rage Freeze thy 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 Wealth or rank possessing Ye who now will bless the poor Shall yourselves find blessing SERMON: "The Years Teach What the Days Do Not Know" 1. Forsake Not the Gospel 2. "a diamond you were born" 3. Build You Own Creed (Include Tolerance) 4. "Revision" is not a bad word 5. The Great Moral Imperative - "BIG SIX Topic: "The Years Teach What the Days Do Not Know" Text: Luke 10: 25 - 28 References: RW: Emerson, Jesus, Churchill Vol. II p 228, Terry Tuffs -- INTRO: As most of you know, tonight is my last Christmas Eve service as minister of Rockburn Church. Because my energy level and general health are in decline, I must retire to something less demanding. Of course, we'll still be living in Rockburn and most likely, be affiliated with this church. We'll certainly be around. We have no other plans. Not going anywhere. Therefore, this is in no way a "farewell" sermon; rather it is a kind of legal opportunity to summarize some of the themes of the last seven years. Here are five of them: but do not fear a sermon of great length. If anything, 1 shall err on the side of simplicity. My five themes tonight are:
I. Forsake not the gospel of Jesus The word "gospel" means "The good news”, and implies good religion as the affair of the heart as well as the head - not the dictates of the hierarchy or the tyranny of tradition. Liturgy and tradition have a role in faith and practice. Thus, by themselves there is little motivation, little forward motion. The ship remains on course, but dead in the water. Observe the present day apostasy. The gospel is the religion of Jesus of Nazareth, and is described in the four gospels of the New Testament. (Avoid the ideas of St. Paul for the moment). The gospel is one's personal dedication to the life and teaching of Jesus as you understand them. They require considerable study ... figures of speech, like parables ... ~ hyperbole like "whatever you ask in my name" ... allusions to the Old Testament... the culture of that day ... always using one's intelligence. In our church we follow certain liturgies, such as "The Lord's Prayer", but always have gospel music ... "Amazing Grace", "Shall We Gather at the River", "When I survey that Wonderous Cross", and many, many more, old and new. It is the gospel that provides forward motion for the ship of faith. Without the gospel- dead in the water. II. A diamond you were born Few Christians realize that Jesus never called anyone a sinner. It is St. Paul who echoes the Old Testament theology of inherited sin as the traditional explanation for the absolutely rotten behaviour of some people. You were born a diamond, not in sin. "Sin" occurs where one has learned the moral distinctions between right and wrong, and knowingly chooses the wrong. Mistakes and the stupid things we may do are not sin. Just human nature. Accept that you are human. Don't apologize to God for the way He made you. There are also some impossible cultural environments ... the fate of some, e.g. Nazi Germany, 1930's. Even disfonctional homes in our own land. You were born, and are now a diamond, however imperfect a gem. Some stones require more cutting and burnishing than others. Some are unable by any effort to shine first rate. Our adopted son, Tommy, was born with foetal alcohol syndrome; and there are many, many others around us, born badly marked. Scarred gems they are, which call for understanding and care and patience. That said (and I know I over simplify), you are each an unique, irreplaceable gem "of purest ray serene". A diamond in the workshop of a jeweler is cut into shapes, graded by size, priced for clarity, and polished for brilliance. In the workshop of life, it's sometimes a long process, even a lifetime. But a diamond in the workshop is still a diamond. III. Dare to assemble, and live by, your own creed Your Creed is that collection of principles which compose your philosophy of life. It includes your religious ideas, moral values and your feelings toward others and the world about you. Your Creed may begin with a single experience, such as being "born again", or it may evolve in other ways. But it must include the humanism of Jesus. (Humanism is putting people always in priority). Use the established Creeds of the church, but only as guidelines. They are mere human documents no matter their longevity or pontificial pronouncements. Our own "Westminster Confession" is 400 years old, forged in the chaos of British history by politicians and quarrelling Scot and British devises/clergy. The "Apostles Creed" is 1600 years old and was directed by Emperor Constantine, debated by bishops who themselves never agreed on the final product. Do not fear revision. Most Christians must with simple, cognitive honesty modify at times their personnal Creed ... sometimes dramatically ... sometimes often. Then again, the dare is not for everyone. Love must supersede all Creeds. IV. In your search for knowledge be gentle with the views of others. They too, have walked many miles. Other beautiful and intelligent persons may see some things differently. This is "liberalism" but not saidhere, publically, due to much misundertanding of the word. Some people of conservative think "liberal" means permissive. Not so "liberal"means simply "tolerant of other views". V. There is one great moral imperative. "Love the Lord thy God, and your neighbour as thyself." It is interesting that this commandment was first recorded in the Old Testament by the author of Deuteronomy. Then it got lost, smothered by over 400 lesser rules and regulations. It is the wisdom of Jesus that he lifted ONE above all others and proclaimed "this is all you need" (Luke 10: 28) ... the genius of a Reformer. A living poet and song writer Terry Tuffs, has put this Great Imperative into the song we are using for our finale tonight, sung by Norm a Rennie and the Carolers. Key Verse : "This old world was over weary with worry and neglect. We were all losing the point between cause and the effect. So Jehovah sent a baby on a long and lonesome-trek to try to teach us all to treat each other with respect." No where in recent times has the human condition been better explained nor the solution more simply said. It is all the theology we really need. Good night and thank you for seven wonderful years! Harley Bye Dec 24, 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ODDS AND SODS Big Six "I wrote this for a Christmas show I was to be part of in Ottawa one winter but I couldn't get in to the performance due to snow. A few years later, CKBY manager Ted Daigle called me up to participate in a yearly release of Christmas carols called Christmas In The Valley. I had recorded a Regney / Shayne tune called Do You Hear What I Hear? (which changed to Is This Your Beer Or My Beer? when the session got started) so this time I asked the producer, Ted Gerow, if I could do one of my own. He had a listen and was really supportive and the song was released on volume 7 of the project. The disk was distributed by the Mac's Milk convenience store chain and the money went to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Royal Ottawa Health Care Foundation. When I did the annual radio interview with Wayne Rostad for the broadcast of the music, Wayne went nuts on the song and ended up using it for the closing tune for the CBC TV broadcast ('96, '97, & '98) of his Christmas special called Christmas In The Valley. Thanks Wayne." Oh it ain't a big production just to conjure up a miracle Just Heaven and the Earth and the magic in between But once the fire is lit the consequence becomes historical. It ain't a big production, though, and this is all you need: Chorus ONE star shinin' in the Heaven's, TWO shepherds watching from the fields, THREE wise men come to worship in the manger, Taking in the glory as the magic is revealed. FOUR days fleeing into Egypt, FIVE days walkin' back again, SIX angels guiding from the Heaven's. Hallelujah children 'cause He's comin' back again.This ol' world was over weary with the worry and neglect. We were all loosing the point between the cause and the effect So Jehovah sent a baby on a long and lonesome trek To try to teach us all to treat each other with respect Chorus ONE star shinin' in the Heaven's, TWO shepherds watching from the fields, THREE wise men come to worship in the manger, Taking in the glory as the magic is revealed. FOUR days fleeing into Egypt, FIVE days walkin' back again, SIX angels guiding from the Heaven's. Hallelujah children 'cause He's comin'back again.He put the sun up in the sky to drive away the night, He put the boots to Pharoh for the Israelite, He can make a flower bloom in a heart that's choked with weeds. It only takes a miracle and this is all you need: Chorus ONE star shinin' in the Heaven's, TWO shepherds watching from the fields, THREE wise men come to worship in the manger, Taking in the glory as the magic is revealed. FOUR days fleeing into Egypt, FIVE days walkin' back again, SIX angels guiding from the Heaven's. Hallelujah children 'cause He's comin' back again. W.T. Tufts SOCAN (ref : http://www.terrytufts.com/live_rasp.htm) Closing- Candle "To teach all to treat each other with respect Just as one candle lighting another, no energy is lost. Treating each other with respect costs us nothing but spreads so much. This is why, tonight, we light these candles as a symbol of the love and respect we receive and give one another" "SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT" # 5 (please remain seated) Kevin Harvey will sing the first verse, everyone on verses 2 & 3 When singing ends ,please extinguish your candle The origin of the Christmas carol we know as Silent Night was a poem that was written in 1816 by an Austrian priest called Joseph Mohr. On Christmas Eve in 1818 in the small alpine village called Oberndorf it is reputed that the organ at St. Nicholas Church had broken. Joseph Mohr gave the poem of Silent Night (Stille Nacht) to his friend Franz Xavier Gruber and the melody for Silent Night was composed with this in mind. The music to Silent Night was therefore intended for a guitar and the simple score was finished in time for Midnight Mass. Silent Night is the most famous Christmas carol of all time! (http://www.carols.org.uk/silent_night.htm) 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 Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Saviour is born Christ, the Saviour is born 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: # 6 "Joy to the World" The words and lyrics of the old Christmas carol 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). The father of John Watts was a Non-conformist and so extreme were his views that he was imprisoned twice. His father's influence over Isaac was demonstrated when he choose to attend Nonconformist Academy at Stoke Newington in preference to a University. Watts was ordained as a Pastor of an Independent congregation. (http://www.carols.org.uk/ba27-joy-to-the-world.htm) Joy to the World , the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing. Joy to the World, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love. BENEDICTION & SUNG "Amen" The End. Thank you for sharing this Christmas Eve Celebration. May God richly bless you now and in the New Year.
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