7th December 2020 St Mary Magdalene Christmas Carol Sing-along
We hope you will enjoy this “Sing-along”. It is not intended to be a professional performance but rather something like the singing we would normally enjoy together at St. Mary Magdalene just before Christmas. That said, we are so very thankful to Yuna, Margaret and Rick for sharing their wonderful gift of music with us.
All but one of the songs (O Holy Night) can be found in our Common Praise hymnal. You are welcome to borrow one from the church or you can print this Carol sheet.
Isaiah 61:1-4
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
O COME O COME EMMANUEL. (CP 89)
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lowly exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
O Come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things might-i-ly
To us the path of knowledge show
And teach us in her ways to go
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you,
O Israel!
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem
From every foe deliver them;
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
O come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind:
O bid our bitter conflict cease,
And be for us our Prince of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee,
O Israel!
The Magnificat – Mary’s Song of Joy. Luke 2:1-7
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. (CP 88)
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child, and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Birth of Jesus – Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 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. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 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.
O Holy Night
O Holy Night
the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’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
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night, divine
O holy night, O night divine
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts, by his cradle we stand.
So led by the light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
A King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, 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,
O praise his name for ever!’
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim.
O praise his name for ever!’
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim.
O Little Town of Bethlehem (CP 120)
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.
For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together,
proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth!
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.
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
Silent Night (CP 119)
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 Savior is born!
Christ the Savior 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.
The Angels Announce Jesus’ Birth. Luke 2:8-14
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before 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; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night. (CP 136)
While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around
“Fear not!” said he, for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind,
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and humankind.”
“To you, in David’s town this day,
Is born of David’s line,
The Savior who is Christ the Lord,
And this shall be the sign,
“The heavenly Babe you there shall find,
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid
“All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace:
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men,
Begin and never cease
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (CP 140)
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 it’s Babel sounds
The blessed 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 we, amid our wars,
hear not the words of peace they bring.
O listen now, and still your strife,
and hear the angels sing.
And you, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow;
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
For, lo! The days are hastening on
by prophet seen of old,
When, with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold:
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King
And the whole world give back the song
which now the angels sing.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing. (CP 138)
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 the angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King”
Christ by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as one of us to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Life and light to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise each child of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King”
The First Nowell. (CP 139)
The first Noel the angels 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.
Noel Noel Noel Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!
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.
Noel Noel Noel Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!
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.
Noel Noel Noel Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!
Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in His presence
Their gold, and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel Noel Noel Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!
The star drew night to the northwest,
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay
Noel Noel Noel Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!
Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
That hath made heaven
and earth of naught
And with His blood
mankind hath bought.
Noel Noel Noel Noel!
Born is the King of Israel!
The Shepherds Visit. – Luke 2:15-20
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly (CP125)
Infant holy, infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
Noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all,
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Flocks were sleeping,
Shepherds keeping
Vigil ‘til the morning new.
Saw the glory, heard the story,
Tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
Praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you,
Christ the Babe was born for you.
Away In A Manger. (CP 126)
Away in a manger,
No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus,
Laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus,
Asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing,
The poor baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes.
I love You, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle
‘Til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask You to stay
Close by me forever,
And love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children
In Your tender care,
And fit us for heaven,
To live with You there.
O Come All Ye Faithful. (CP118)
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 King
God of God, Light of Light,
Lo he abhors not the virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten not created
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him
O come let us adore him, Christ the King
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exaltation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God, in the highest:
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the King
See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear.
We too will thither, bend our joyful footsteps
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the King
The Visit of the Magi – Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
As With Gladness Men Of Old (CP 160)
As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.
As with joyful steps they sped
Saviour to thy lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Thee 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 joyful song,
raising voices pure and strong,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.
In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!
What Child Is This (CP137)
What Child is this, who laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;
Come peasant, king to own Him.
The King of Kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
We Are Called to Share the Joyful News
of Jesus Born in Our World
Angels From the Realms of Glory (CP 143)
Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o’er all the earth
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s Birth
Come and Worship
Come and Worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
Shepherds in the fields abiding
Watching o’er your flocks by night
God, with us is now residing,
yonder shines the infant light
Come and Worship
Come and Worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
Sages leave your contemplation,
brighter vision beams afar
seek the great desire of nations
you have seen his natal star
Come and Worship
Come and Worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
Saints before the altar bending
watching long in hope and fear,
Suddenly the Lord descending,
in his temple shall appear
Come and Worship
Come and Worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
Though an infant now, we view him
he shall fill the eternal throne,
gather all the nations to him,
every knee shall then bow down
Come and Worship
Come and Worship
Worship Christ the newborn King
Good Christians All Rejoice (CP 153)
Good Christians all, rejoice
with heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow;
and He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Good Christian all, rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice;
Hear the news of endless bliss:
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven’s door,
and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!
Good Christians all, rejoice,
with heart and soul and voice;
Now you need not fear the grave:
Jesus Christ was born to save!
come at his most gracious call
to find salvation One and all.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!
A Reading from Philippians 2 – Who is this Jesus who has come to us?
Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7 but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father
Joy to the World (CP 154)
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 nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns:
’Let us glad songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks,
hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy.
Repeat the sounding joy.
No more let wrongs and sorrow grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground:
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as our sin is found.
Far as our sin is found.
Far as our sin is found.
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 of his love.
A Blessing – adapted from Ephesians 3:14-20
For this reason we bow our knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 We pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that we may be strengthened in our inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 We pray that we may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 So now, I commit you to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. May every Christmas blessing be your, as you welcome the Christ child again and anew. And may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, fill your hearts with such joy that it overflows to bless each person you meet.