Nine Lessons & Carols

 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Introduction - Our service of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place at 6.30 pm on Sunday the 20th December at St Thomas' Church. You are welcome to join us -  we do have quite a lot of space to accommodate everyone safely. If you prefer to worship from home though, we have all you need here on this page, and you can worship at a time that suits you. 

The readings and prayers are all just the same as we will be using in church. The biggest difference is that we can't sing the carols in church, but we can at home! There are more carols, ranging from very traditional to modern, here than we will have in church, so you can choose your favourites to sing along with. All of the carols have the lyrics shown to make it easier to join in, or you may just want to enjoy the wonderful music.   

Carol: Midnight

Bishop Mark Ashcroft has made a video of his reflection, which will be used in the Diocesan digital Carol Service on Wednesday. We'll be sharing the full carol service when it's available, but in the meantime you can view the video here - 

Carol: Once in Royal David’s City

Bidding Prayer

Beloved in Christ, be it this Christmastide our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Therefore let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious redemption brought us by this Holy Child.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all his people; for unity and brotherhood within the Church he came to build, and especially in this village of Lees and diocese of Manchester.

And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us remember, in his name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children; all those who know not the Lord Jesus, or who love him not, or who by sin have grieved his heart of love.

Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are for ever one.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself hath taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come; thy will be done;

on earth as it is heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen

Carol: How Far is it to Bethlehem

 

1st Lesson: The story of our Fall in the Garden of Eden - Genesis 3: 8-15

Carol: Silent Night

Carol: It Was on a Starry Night

2nd Lesson: God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the world be blessed - Genesis 22: 1-2, 9-18

Carol: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Carol: Sing High with the Holly

3rd Lesson: The prophet foretells the coming of the saviour - Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7

Carol – Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Carol - Long Ago, Prophets Knew

4th Lesson: The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown - Isaiah 11: 1-9

Carol: It came upon a midnight clear

Carol: Go Tell it on the Mountain

5th Lesson: The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary - Luke 1: 26-38

Carol: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came

Carol: Angels from the Realms of Glory

6th Lesson: St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus - Luke 2: 1-7

Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Carol: O Holy Night

7th Lesson: The shepherds go to the manger - Luke 2: 8-16

Carol: Away in a Manger

Carol:While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night

Carol: See Him Lying on a Bed of Straw

8th Lesson: The wise men are led by the star to Jesus - Matthew 2: 1-11

Carol: As with gladness men of old

Carol: In the Bleak Midwinter

9th Lesson: St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation - John 1: 1-14

Carol: O come all ye faithful

Blessing

May the joy of the angels,

the eagerness of the shepherds,

the perseverance of the wise men,

the obedience of Joseph and Mary,

and the peace of the Christ-child

be yours this Christmas;

And the Blessing of God Almighty,

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Be upon you and remain with you always.

Amen

Carol: We Wish you a Merry Christmas