Christmas Carol Service – Live Streamed – Sunday 21 December 2025 – 6.00 pm

by Ian Trimnell · 21 December 2025

Led by Rev Tim Norwood

THE PROMISE OF GOD ~ PROPHESY AND FULFILMENT

Introit: I wonder as I wander out under the sky

I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
how Jesus the saviour did come for to die;
for poor ord’ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

When Mary birthed Jesus ‘twas in a cow’s stall,
with wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
but high from God’s heaven, a star’s light did fall:
and the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
a star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
or all of God’s angels in heaven to sing:
he surely could have it, ‘cause he was the King.

arr. John Rutter
CCL31580

Introduction

We gather together today to hear with joy the message brought by angels. We shall
journey in heart and mind to Bethlehem, to reflect on the nativity of our Saviour,
and to bow in adoration and humility before the throne of God.
We shall do this through song, and through listening to the holy word of God; and
as we lift up our hearts in praise, we shall also pray: for peace on earth, for
fellowship among those created in the image of God, for care for the poor and
needy, for the unity of the Church, and for ourselves.

Let us pray:

Collect:

O God, who fills us with joy at the yearly remembrance of the birth of your only
Son, Jesus Christ, give us ever thankful hearts for the holy child destined to the the
Saviour of the world, and sustain us in the hope which will be fulfilled in your
eternal kingdom.
Amen.

Choir : Adam Lay ybounden

Adam lay ybounden, bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter thought he not too long.

And all was for an apple, an apple that he took.
As clerkës finden written in their book.

Ne had the apple taken been, the apple taken been,
Ne had never Our Lady, A-been heaven’s queen.

Blessed be the time that apple taken was!
Therefore we may singen, Deo gratias!

Boris Ord
CCL31580

Carol: Once in royal Davids city

(choir only)
Once in royal Davids 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.

(choir only)
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.

(All sing)
And through all his wondrous childhood
He would honour and obey
Love and watch the lowly maiden
In whose gentle arms He lay
Christian children all must be
Mild, obedient, good as He.

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.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see him; but in heaven,
set at God’s right hand on high;
Where like stars his children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

CCL31580

THE SIGN OF GOD’S FAVOUR

Readings:

Isaiah 7: 13 14

Luke 1: 30-35, 38

Choir: Angelus ad Virginem

Angelus ad Virginem sub intrans in conclave,
Virginis formidinem demulcens, inquit: Ave!
Ave regina virginum; caeli terraeque Dominum
Concipies et paries intacta salutem hominum; t
Tu porta caeli facta, medela criminum.
Quomodo conciperem quae virum non cognovi?
Qualiter infringerem quod firma mente vovi?
Spiritus Sancti gratia perficiet haec omnia;
Ne timeas, sed gaudeas, secura quod castimonia manebit in te pura
Dei potentia. Ad haec virgo nobilis respondens inquit ei: Ancilla sum humilis
Omnipotentis Dei. Tibi caelesti nuntio, tanti secreti conscio, consentiens,
Et cupiens videre factum quod audio; parata sum parere, Dei consilio.
Eia mater Domini, quae pacem redidisti angelis et homini, cum Christum genuisti:
Tuum exora filium ut se nobis propitium exhibeat,
deleat peccata: Praestans auxilium vita frui beata
Post hoc exsilium. Deo Gracias.

When the angel came secretly to the Virgin in her room,
soothing the maiden’s fear, he said: “Hail! Hail, Queen of virgins.
While yet untouched by man you shall conceive and bear
the Lord of heaven and earth, salvation for mankind.
You have become the gate of heaven, a remedy for sins.”
“How can I conceive, since I have not known a man?
How can I break the vow I made with firm intent?”
“The grace of the Holy Spirit shall bring all this to pass.
Fear not, but rejoice, secure in the knowledge that pure chastity
shall remain yours through God’s mighty power.”
To this the noble Virgin replied, saying: “I am the lowly handmaiden
of Almighty God. I bend my will to you, O celestial messenger,
who share so great a mystery, and I long to see performed what I now hear.
I am ready to yield myself to God’s design.” Ah, mother of the Lord,
who gave back peace to angels and mankind when you bore Christ,
pray your son to be gracious to us, and wipe away our sins,
granting us aid to enjoy a blessed life after this exile. Thanks be to God.

Andrew Carter
CCL31580

THE SON OF DAVID

Readings:

Isaiah 9: 6 – 7

Luke 2: 1, 3 – 7

Choir: The Virgin Washes the Swaddling

The Virgin washes the swaddling while the little Child lay sleeping
And the little birds are singing and the brook is laughing and sighing.
Pastores llegad, pastores llegad
A adorer al Nino, que ha nacido ya.

La Virgen lava panales y los tien de-en el ropero
Y los pajaritos cantan Y el agua se vayeno
Pastores llegad

El Nino Dios se ha period Y to dos le estancia buscando
A la orilla del mar elestaba pescando
Pastores llegad

The Virgin cradles God’s chosen, while the angels are rejoicing,
And the rosemary will blossom, for the world can now be free.
Pastores llegad

arr. Robert De Cormier
and Adrian Boynton
CCL31580

Carol: It came upon a midnight clear

It came upon a midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
‘Glory to God! On earth be peace,
From heaven’s all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the 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, at bitter war, hear not
The love song which they bring:
O hush the noise and end the strife,
To 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 all the world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.

CCL31580

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

Readings:

Isaiah 9: 2 – 4

Luke 2: 8 – 14

Choir: O Beatum et Sacrosanctum Diem

O beatum et sacrosanctum diem,
in qua Dominus noster de Virgine Maria pro nobis nasci dignatus est.
Gaudeat itaque universus orbis, et cantemus illi,
in sono tubæ, cithara, psalterio et organo.
Congratulemur cum multitudine angelorum exercitus,
semper suas laudes cantantibus. Noe/Alleluia
O blessed and most holy day on which our Lord was born of the Virgin Mary for our sake.
Let the whole world therefore rejoice, and let us sing to him
to the sound of the trumpet, strings, the harp and the organ.
Let us rejoice with the numerous hosts of angels,
ceaselessly singing his praise. Noel/Alleluia

Peter Philip
CCL31580

Carol: Angels from the realms of glory

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:
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant light:

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar,
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen his natal star:

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear:

CCL31580

THE PLACE OF HIS BIRTH

Readings:

Micah 5: 2 – 5

Luke 2: 15 – 20

Choir: To Bethlehem

Sing this night, for a boy is born in Bethlehem,
Christ our Lord in a lowly manger lies;
Bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle,
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the Son of Mary:
See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas night!
Follow me joyfully; hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary

Angels bright, come from heaven’s highest glory,
Bear the news, with its message of good cheer,
‘Sing, rejoice, for a King is come to save us,
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary:

See, he lies in his mother’s tender keeping;
Christ Jesus in her loving arms asleep.
Shepherds poor, come to worship and adore him,
Offer their humble gifts before the son of Mary:

Let us pay our homage at the manger,
Sing his praise on this joyful Christmas night;
Christ is come, bringing promises of salvation;
Hurry to Bethlehem and see the son of Mary:

John Rutter
CCL31580

Carol: The First Nowell

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:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell
Born is the King of Israel!

When they looked up they 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:

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.

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heav’nly Lord
That hath made Heav’n and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought:

CCL31580

THE STAR OF HIS APPEARING

Readings:

Numbers 24: 15 – 17

Matthew 2: 7 – 11

Choir: O Holy Night

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our 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 world 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.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the Wise Men from Oriеnt land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friеnd.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
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! Then ever, ever we praise thee
His power and glory evermore proclaim.

Adolphe Adam
arr. John Rutter
CCL31580

Carol: We three Kings

Choir: We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.