Christians began celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25 near the beginning of the fourth century.By the beginning of the fifth century, a midnight celebration on Christmas Eve was held in Rome and spread throughout Western Europe.Christmas Masses soon became among the most beloved services of the year for Christians. The gospels of Matthew and Luke both record the story of Christ’s birth.John’s gospel begins with a proclamation on the meaning of it.
The Holy Eucharist, the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day and other major Feasts, and Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer, 1979, are the regular services appointed for public worship in the Episcopal Church. At Christ Church we celebrate the Holy Eucharist every Sunday, and also on Holy Days and other occasions.
Today’s liturgy is from the red Book of Common Prayer 1979.All hymns are taken from the blue Hymnal 1982 or other authorized hymnals for use in the Episcopal Church. All hymns are reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net A713125.
Music & Lectionary Notes:
Prelude: A Medley of Traditional Christmas Carols & Sinfonia (Messiah) by George Frederic Handel 1685-1759
Processional Hymn: #83, O come, all ye faithful, Adeste fideles
Gloria in excelsis: #96, Angels we have heard on high, Gloria
First Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-3,6-7
Gradual (4pm): Away in a Manger by the Children's Choir
Gradual (10pm): Ding dong, merrily on high by the Parish Choir
Second Lesson: Titus 2:11-14
Sequence Hymn: #79, O little town of Bethlehem, St. Louis
Gospel: Luke 2:1-20
Offertory Anthem: Hallelujah (Messiah) by Handel
Offertory Hymn: #87, Hark! the herald angels sing, Mendelssohn
Sanctus & Benedictus: #S-114 From Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena, Healey Willan (1880-1968)
Agnus Dei: #S-158 From Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena, Healey Willan (1880-1968)
Communion Anthem: Hodie Christus natus est by Francis Poulenc 1899-1963
Communion Anthem: (4pm): Ding dong, merrily on high by the Parish Choir