Friends, here’s a Carol Fest that a friend (Steve Rhodes) sent me. I
am using it this year with some adaptations. It’s great for use on
Christ Eve, Christmas Day, or even the first Sunday after Christmas
(since this year it’s December 26th).
The service tells something of the story behind some popular
Christmas carols. The way I am using it is having different readers
read the various sections. You could also have different groups sing
the various carols as well, but allowing of for the congregation to
sing most of them.
An added bonus for your United Methodists is that the page
references below are from the new UM Hymnal.
GATHERING OF THE CHURCH FAMILY
The Prelude
PRAISING GOD THROUGH SONG!
The Sung Call to Worship "Lift Up Your Head, Ye Mighty
Gates"
The Introduction to Our Carol Fest Pastor
* The Carol "O Come, All Ye Faithful" (vs. 1-2) p. 234
One of the most popular Christmas hymns, "O Come All Ye
Faithful" (also known as the "Latin hymn") might never have been
known by the English-speaking world if it had not been by the
chance work of a wandering scribe. In 1750, John Francis Wade,
who was a professional copy writer,included an "original"
Christmas poem, called "Adeste Fideles" in a manuscript compiled
for the English Roman Catholic College in Lisbon, Portugal.
Thirty-five years later a copy of the hymn was sent to the
Portuguese Chapel in London and from there its popularity spread
throughout the world.
* The Opening Collect "Christmas" p. 231
Eternal God, by the birth of Jesus Christ you gave yourself to the
world. Grant that, being born in our hearts, he may save us from all
our sins, and restore within us the image and likeness of our
Creator, to whom be everlasting praise and glory, world without
end. Amen.
* The Carol "It Came upon the Midnight Clear" (vs. 1 & 4)
p. 218
The peace of Christmas, proclaimed by the heavenly chorus, is one
of God’s greatest gifts to humankind. As 2 Cor. 5:19 says, "God
was reconciling the world to himself." This message of
reconciliation involves us in three different aspects: peace with
God, peace with our brothers and sisters, and peace within
ourselves. It is this blessed concept that hymn writer, Edmund
Sears, wanted to emphasize in this unusual carol.
* The Affirmation of Faith Luke 1:46-55 p. 199
Pastor: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus
that all the world should be registered.
People: This was the first registration and was taken while
Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Pastor: All went to their own towns to be registered.
People: 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.
Pastor: He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was
engaged and who was expecting a child.
People: While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her
child.
Pastor: 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.
People: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
Pastor: Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
People: 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:
Pastor: To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is
the Messiah, the Lord.
People: This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in
bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
Pastor: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host, praising God and saying,
People: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace
among those whom he favors!"
The Greeting
Welcome to...a church of prayer for all the nations. We pray that
Christ will find a welcome in your heart and in your life, that you
may know the wonder of being loved unconditionally, cherished
unceasingly, and saved everlastingly. We invite you to fill out our
registration pad so that we may keep you informed of upcoming
events.
The Carol "What Child Is This" (vs. 1 & 3) p. 219
The question posed by this well-loved carol is "the" question
present in the hearts of those who witnessed Jesus’ birth. We can
almost hear the question being asked from one to another as they
gazed into the human manger: "Why lies He in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear -- for sinners
here the silent Word is pleading." These beautiful words were
written by William Dix. While a successful insurance salesman in
Glasgow, Scotland, he was stricken by a serious illness at age 29.
He was confined to a bed and then suffering a deep depression until
he called out to God and met him in a new and real way. Out of
this spiritual renewal came this beautiful carol.
The Carol "Angels from the Realms of Glory" (vs. 1 & 4)
p. 220
This Christmas hymn is one of James Montgomery’s favorite
compositions. Considered to be one of the greatest of the Moravian
hymn writers, he wrote this carol in 1816 and it appeared first as a
poem in his newspaper on Christmas Eve of that year. Considered
by many students of hymnody to be one of our finer Christmas
hymns. It a unique style it addressed first the angelic chorus in the
first stanza, then the shepherds in the second, the wise men in the
third, and finally today’s believers - calling all to worship Christ our
King.
The Carol "In the Bleak Midwinter" (vs. 1 & 4) p. 221
"In the Bleak Midwinter" is not a prayer, it is not a "song with
praise to God" -- it is a proclamation, a declaration, a witness to the
amazing mystery of God’s Word become flesh, the great gift of
Godself to humanity for our salvation. This beautiful carol also
reminds us of our own need to gift to God in return: "What can I
give him poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what can I give him:
give him my heart."
The Anthem "De Tierra Lejana Venimos" The All Nations Praise
Choir
The Carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (vs. 1,2, & 4) p. 230
The seeds for this hymn were sown in 1865 when on Christmas Eve
in Bethlehem, Phillips Brooks, noted Episcopal bishop, attended
worship in the ancient basilica claimed to have been build by
Emperor Constantine in the fourth century. He was a young pastor
at the time, and the beauty of the simple service made a permanent
impression upon his heart. Three years later while pastor of Holy
Trinity Church in Philadelphia, at the request of the children of the
Church School, Brooks wrote a new Christmas song, "O Little
Town of Bethlehem." He was so inspired by his previous trip to
Bethlehem that he wrote the carol in one evening. He gave the
poem to the church school superintendent to put to music in time
for Christmas. The superintendent waited for inspiration, but none
came. On the night before Christmas, he woke up suddenly, in the
middle of the night, the melody of the song ringing in his ears like
happy bells. Seizing a piece of paper, he wrote down the music that
was so clear in his mind and went back to sleep. The next morning,
the children of Holy Trinity sang for the first time this one of the
most beloved Christmas carols.
The Carol "Good Christian Friends, Rejoice" (vs. 1 & 3)
p. 224
As this carol reminds us, Christmas should be the most joyous
season of the year for Christians. Our lives should be filled with
gratitude to God for God’s immeasurable love shown toward us in
the gift of His Son. Out of joyous hearts, we should be exuberant
in "heart and soul and voice!" This ancient hymn uses frequent
repetition to impress upon us that the birth of Christ won for us
"endless bliss" by opening the way to heaven and conquering our
fear of death through assurance to life eternal.
The Carol "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" p. 229
This traditional Polish carol was first printed in 1908, but probably
originated in the 13th or 14th century. It was first included in the
1935 Methodist hymn book, and has since become a standard of
nativity hymns, loved by children and adults alike due to its
simplicity and beauty.
The Carol "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" (vs. 1, 2,
& 6) p. 236
Written by two Irishmen in 1700, its pure narrative about the
shepherds is on a level that even children can visualize and
understand easily. The music for this carol has been adapted from a
work by the master composer George Frederick Handel.
The Carol "Away in the Manger" (vs. 1 & 3) p. 217
This quite little Christmas song is often called "Luther’s Cradle
Hymn." It was thought to have been written by Martin Luther for
his own children and then passed on by German mothers. It was
brought to America by the German Lutherans in early Pennsylvania.
This lovely carol lullaby has been sung over and over again to
children in every land and language during the Christmas
season. It is one of their first encouragements to learn and to love
"the little Lord Jesus."
The Call for the Offering
The Offertory
The Carol "Sing We Now of Christmas" (vs. 1-3) p. 237
This translation of a charming French carol first appeared in 1934,
and like "The First Noel" also wishes birthday greetings to the
Christ-child: "Sing we now of Christmas, Noel, sing we here! Hear
our grateful praises to the babe so dear."
The Carol "Angels We Have Heard on High" (vs. 1, 2, & 4)
p. 238
A traditional French carol, this hymn tells of the vast numbers of
angels swiftly descending toward earth through the star sprinkled
sky. They hovered with folded wings over a silent field near
Bethlehem. "There they are," said the lead angel, "the humble
shepherds who have been chosen by God to receive our message.
It will be the most wonderful news that mortal men or women have
ever received." The shepherds were terrified. Covering their faces
in the brilliance of the angelic light, they listened with awe as the
heavenly host before them began to speak in their own language:
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of a great joy that will be
for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been
born to you; He is Christ the Lord."
The Carol "Hark the Herald Angels Sings" p. 240
The co-founder of Methodism, Charles Wesley, was surely one of
the great hymn writers of all time, and yet only one of Charles’
hymns made it into the Church of England’s Book of Common
Prayer - and only by error. An 18th century printer didn’t know
that the Church of England frowned upon Mr. Wesley and his
brother, John, as undignified enthusiasts. But the printer needed to
fill an empty slot in the Book of Common Prayer and took it upon
himself to insert a Christmas poem, "Hark! How All the Welkin
Rings!" by the Rev. Charles Wesley. Many attempts were later
made to remove the carol, but it proved so popular it was allowed
to remain. This wonderful poem was later combined with
music by Felix Mendelssohn and as a result become of the greatest
Nativity songs ever composed. Written in 1738, this was one of
Charles’ earliest efforts and became among his greatest.
The Carol "Love Came Down at Christmas" p. 242
The poet through the words of this hymn uses the word "love"
eleven times to succinctly and yet expressively declare that in the
Incarnation of Jesus, God’s Love itself was given birth. Love
divine in human form is not only our plea and prayer to God, but
also our own gift to the world, and our sign to all that Christ has
come as Redeemer: "Love came down at Christmas; Love all
lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas; star and angels
gave the sign."
The Carol "The First Noel" (vs. 1, 2, & 5) p. 245
Although no Christmas season would be complete without the
melodious singing of this carol, very little is known of its origin. It
is believed to have had its rise in France during the fifteenth
century. Noel is a French world originating from the Latin
meaning, "birthday." This song is thought to have been brought to
England by wandering troubadours. It became a favorite of the
English, especially for Christmas Eve, when entire villages would
gather for singing and celebrating the bringing in of the Yule log.
"The First Noel" in its six verses portray in vivid narrative style the
story of Christ’s birth.
The repetition of the joyous "noels" in the refrain is the equivalent
to our singing "happy birthday" to someone. So, let’s sing "happy
birth to Jesus" with this carol.
The Carol "Silent Night" p. 239
Joseph Mohr, assistant priest in the Church of St. Nicholas in the
Alps, and Franz Gruber, the village schoolmaster and church
organist, had often talked about how the pertest Christmas hymn
had never been written. So when Father Mohr heard that the
church organ had broken down and would not be ready for
Christmas Eve services took this as a challenge to write his own
Christmas hymn in order to have special music for the service.
When he completed the words, he took them to Gruber, who said
when he read the words, "Friend Mohr, you have found it - the
right song - God be praised!" Soon Gruber finished the music
which blended perfectly with the Spirit of Mohr’s words. The carol
was completed in time for the Christmas Eve service when the two
sang their carol for the first time accompanied by guitar. When the
organ repairman came to the little village church, he was so
impressed by the carol, that he requested a copy and soon it spread
all around the region -- and the world. Allow the peaceful strains of
this carol to help you worship in awe with the shepherds and sing
alleluia with the angels for God’s "redeeming grace."
* The Invitation to Christian Discipleship Pastor
* The Carol "Joy to the World" (vs. 1-3) p. 246
As one of the most joyous hymns of the Christmas season, this
carol does not mention shepherds, angelic choruses, or wise men.
It emphasizes instead the reverent but ecstatic joy that Christ’s birth
has brought to all humanity. For centuries hearts had yearned for
God to reveal Godself personally. At last it happened as "the Word
became flesh and dwelt among us." This carol exalts the salvation
that began when God became incarnate as the Babe of Bethlehem
who was destined to remove the curse of Adam’s fall: "No more let
sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to
make his blessings known far as the curse it found."
* The Dismissal with Blessing
* The Dismissal Carol "Joy to the World" (vs. 4) p. 246
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.
* The Postlude
* The Church Family Standing, If Able
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Bass Mitchell, Hot Springs, VA
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