The Advent Carol Service
A Service of Lessons and Carols
Welcome
Lighting the Advent Candle
Carol 107 Prepare the Way of the Lord
We light three candles
1st Voice;
2nd Voice;
"Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
"Why do we light three candles?"
All;
"The first candle is a reminder of the light of hope of the prophets.
The second candle is a symbol of the light and warmth Joseph and Mary found in
the stable. The third candle reminds us of the great light and joy which surrounded
the shepherds at the announcement of Jesus' birth."
Read the story of the Shepherd's search for the newborn Jesus.
Reader;
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping
watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the
glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to
them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped
in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly
host appeared with the angel praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.' 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.' So they hurried
off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. when
they had seen him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about
thischild and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they
had heard and seen which were just as they were told." (Luke 2: 8-20)
Carol 139 The First Noel
All:
"Dear God, we think you for your gift of Jesus to the whole world. As
the shepherds found Jesus in a manger, may we find Jesus in the love and joy
that we share together. Help us, O God, to love one another. Help us to do
our share to bring happiness, goodness and peace to the world, Amen."
Priest;
Dear people of God: In the season of Advent , we prepare ourselves to
hear once more the message of the angels to go to Bethlehem and see the Christ
child lying in the manger.
Let us hear in Holy Scripture the story of God’s loving purpose for us, and in Carols
and prayers express our praise to him.
Remembering that Mary was young and unmarried at pregnancy, let us pray for our
young people whose lives seem confusing to us.
Remembering that Mary gave birth in a stable, let us pray for all who will sleep
rough tonight.
Remembering the shepherds and the Innkeepers and the Magi, let us pray for nightshift workers, for those in the hospitality industry and for those who may seem
foolish as they seek truth and wisdom.
Remembering that the Holy Family fled from terror and violence to be refugees in
Egypt, let us pray for all who have become refugees, and for those who care for
them. Let us pray also for all who spread terror and those who control armies.
Remembering the Angels, let us pray for those who watch over us and guard us and
lead us in holiness, and worship with us today.
And remembering Joseph, of whom little is said, let us pray for those who quietly
give their lives in work to care for others.
Let us pray in the words that Jesus taught us.
Our Father……
Carol 88
Come thou long expected Jesus
1st Reading. Isaiah 60;1-6, 19 Nations will come to your light
Carol
We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Prayer;
May God the Most High, the Holy One
Open our eyes to the brightness of his light,
Open our hearts to the warmth of Christ’s loving,
And open our hands to give our selves to his keeping.
May the light of his Christ illuminate our darkness,
with the radiance of his birth.
Amen
2nd Reading; Isaiah 40;1-11
God will comfort his people
Carol 91 People, look East! The time is near.
Prayer;
In the darkness of winter let us look for the sun at dawn,
In the tiredness of life let us look for the abundant life of Christ,
In the busyness of Christmas let us look for the Peace of Christ,
And in the faith of Christ let us entrust ourselves to your constant safe keeping.
We ask this in your name,
Amen
3rd Reading Isaiah 11;1-9
The peaceful kingdom
Carol 362 Tell out my soul (The Magnificat, the Song of Mary)
Prayer;
As the co-eternal Son of God
In humility, came amongst us a baby, born of a woman,
So give us grace, O gentle God,
To put aside both power and pride,
That we too might seek out the broken and the lost,
Might bind up the hurt and the dying.
That when we have learned how to be the least,
We may be most like you
And bring your Kingdom to our land.
Amen
4th Reading
Luke 1;26-33
Annunciation
Calypso Anthem 128 The Virgin Mary had a baby boy
Prayer;
So long ago God you spoke to Mary.
Your spirit whispered within her.
Your angel touched her.
Speak into my mind, my soul.
Send your angel to me, O Lord,
And whisper your words into my heart,
That I might know your love of me,
And that you will walk with me
On the path you lay before me.
Carol 129
No crowded eastern street
5th Reading
John 1;1-14 The Word becomes flesh
Offertory Carol 138 Hark! The herald angels sing
Prayers of the People
We pray for all who wait and watch and hope this day
For pregnant women, especially those who are far from home.
For those who wait for peace and justice, especially in the Middle East, in Central
and South America, in Myanmar and in Africa.
For those who are in prison and seek to change their lives.
For the broken, homeless or hopeless,
That light may dawn for them too.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for those who ask for your help this day
For the sick in body, mind or spirit, for those known by name to us
Specially naming…..
For those who cry to you yet do not know your name.
That light may dawn for them too.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for our church
For Anglicans gathering across the continents and islands
To offer you worship and praise,
For their clergy and Bishops and all who lead them, large and small.
We pray for Colin and Patrick our bishops.
We pray for Grace Church that we might be blessed
And bring blessings to your other children
That light may dawn for them too.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
We pray for those who this night will die
For those who die alone,
For those who die suddenly, or by violence
For those who die in faith
And for those who die unknowing
That light may dawn for them too.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
No one knew the hour, the day, or the place
Of the Messiah’s coming.
Yet he has come, and dwells amongst us.
May we find him this Christmas again
hidden in a baby wrapped in cloths
and hidden in a manger.
And may others find him in this church
In the people we are
In the lives we try to lead
And in the warmth of our welcome
That light may dawn for them too.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Receive our prayer
Carol 118
O come, all ye faithful
Blessing
Final Carol 135
Shepherds in the fields abiding