Festival of Lessons and Carols - Cathedral Basilica of...

Festival of Lessons and Carols with the Archdiocesan Choirs

and Bishop Rivituso

Sunday, December 15, 2019, 3:00 P.M. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

History of Lessons and Carols United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century in England and has its roots in the Office of Readings. In this service, we listen to Scripture lessons which recount the promise of a Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. Each lesson is followed by a carol or other song that reflects on the lesson’s messages and a brief prayer. Let us embrace this musical and spiritual offering as a way of entering into the true spirit of Christmas.

A D V E N T L E S S O N S A N D C A R O L S 2 0 1 8 1

Festival oF lessons and Carols

PreludesArchdiocesan Bellchoir

O Come Rejoicing Polish Carol

What Child is This? Greensleeves

Still, Still, Still Austrian Carol

Sing We Now of Christmas French Carol

Processional Carol Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth

Solo:

1. Come, Thou Redeemer of the earth, And manifest thy virgin birth: Let ev’ry age adoring fall; Such birth befits the God of all.

Choir:

2. Begotten of no human will, But of the Spirit, Thou art still The Word of God in flesh arrayed, The Promised fruit to man displayed.

All:

3. The virgin womb that burden gained With virgin honor all unstained; The banners there of virtue glow; God in His temple dwells below.

Choir:

4. Forth from his chamber goeth he, That royal home of purity, A giant in twofold substance one, Rejoicing now his course to run.

Men:

5. From God the Father He proceeds, To God the Father back He speeds; His course He runs to death and hell, Returning on God’s throne to dwell.

Women:

6. O equal to the Father, Thou! Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now; The weakness of our mortal state With deathless might invigorate.

Choir:

7. Thy cradle here shall glitter bright, And darkness breathe a newer light, Where endless faith shall shine serene, And twilight never intervene.

All:

8. All laud, eternal Son, to Thee Whose advent sets Thy people free, Who with the Father we adore, And Holy Ghost for evermore.

Text: St. Ambrose (340–397), translated by John Mason Neale (1818–1866) and others. Music: PUER NOBIS, from Trier MS (15th Century), adapted by Michael Praetorius (1571–1621), arranged by Stuart Forster, © St. James Music Press, 2016.

Opening Prayer Bishop Rivituso

We gather here to recall the mystery of our redemption. Though sin drew us away from God, He never stopped loving us. The prophets told of the coming of a Messiah who would initiate a reign of justice and peace. This promise was fulfilled in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Let us now reflect with joy on this wondrous mystery.

2 C A T H E D R A L B A S I L I C A O F S A I N T L O U I S

First lesson

Reading Isaiah 9:1–6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as they exult when dividing the spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, the rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

Carol In the Bleak Midwinter

Sung by Choir

1. In the bleak midwinter, Frosty wind made moan. Earth was hard as iron; Water like a stone, Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter Long ago.

2. Our God, heav’n cannot hold Him Nor earth sustain, Heav’n and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign: In the bleak midwinter A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

3. Angels and Archangels May have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim Thronged the air; But only His Mother In her maiden bliss Worshiped the Beloved With a kiss.

4. 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 I can I give Him, Give my heart.

Text: Christina Rossetti. Music: Gustav Holst, arr. J. Guy Stalnaker, © 2019 by CPDL.

Prayer Bishop Rivituso

Lord of mercy, despite our sinfulness, you never stopped loving us. Fill our hearts with your mercy, that we may forgive others. Amen.


seCond lesson


But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD. Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, but he shall judge the poor with justice, and decide fairly for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall graze, together their young shall lie down; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the viper’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. They shall not harm or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the peoples— him the nations will seek out; his dwelling shall be glorious.

Carol O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Men: O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

All: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Women: O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orders all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

All: O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times once gave the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

All: O come, thou Rod of Jesse’s stem, from every foe deliver them; that trust your mighty power to save, and give them victory o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. Refrain


Women: O come, O Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Men: O come, thou Dayspring, from on high and cheer us by your drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

All: O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of thy people be; before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

All: O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of humankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be for us our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Text: LM with refrain; Latin, 9th cent.; tr. by John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt. Music: Processionale, 15th cent. French, adapt. by Thomas Holmore, 1811-1890; Chant, Mode I.


Lord, you promised that your reign would bring the justice that would never end. May we help to bring about this justice in our time. Amen.

third lesson


How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, “Your God is King!”

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry, together they shout for joy, for they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring Zion. Break out together in song, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD comforts his people, he redeems Jerusalem.


The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God.

Carol Lift Up Your Heads

Sung by Choir

Lift up your heads, O ye gates, And be ye lift up, Ye everlasting doors, And the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

G. F. Handel.


Lord, we wait for the day of your peace. May we help to bring this peace to our families, our communities, and our world. Amen.

Fourth lesson

Reading Luke 3:1–6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.


Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Carol People, Look East

Sung by All

1. People, look East. The time is near Of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table. People look East and sing today: Love the Guest is on the way.

2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare. One more seed is planted there: Give up your strength the seed to nourish, That in course the flow’r may flourish. People look East and sing today: Love the Rose is on the way.

3. Birds, though you long have ceased to build, Guard the nest that must be filled. Even the hour when wings are frozen He for fledging time has chosen. People look East and sing today: Love the Bird is on the way.

4. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim One more light the bowl shall brim, Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together. People look East and sing today: Love the Star is on the way.

5. Angels announce with shouts of mirth Him who brings new life to earth. Set ev’ry peak and valley humming With the word, the Lord is coming. People look East and sing today: Love the Lord is on the way.

Text: Eleanor Farjeon, 1881–1965. Music: BESANÇON, French traditional.


God, you are always with us. May we always trust in your presence and share it with those around us. Amen.

FiFth lesson

Reading Zephahiah 3:14–18a

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies;


The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.

Carol Carol of the Bells arr. Mykola Leontovych

Handbell Choir


Lord, you asked Joseph and Mary to trust in you. May we come to share in their trust and always rely on you. Amen.

sixth lesson


In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.


Carol Maria durch ein Dornwald ging

Sung by Choir

Maria walks amid the wood of thorn, Kyrie eleison! Which for seven years no leaf hath born She walks amid the wood of thorn Jesus and Maria.

What ‘neath her heart does Mary bear? Kyrie eleison! A little child doth Mary bear Beneath her heart he nestles there. Jesus and Maria.

How shall the child be named? Kyrie eleison! His name shall be Emmanuel, That shall be his name. Jesus and Maria.

Who alone has saved the world? Kyrie eleison! That is what the Christ Child did, That is who alone saved the world. Jesus and Maria.

Text: Composite translation. Tune: Traditional.


Lord, you came to us in humility and vulnerability. May we always show loving care to those around us, especially those in most need. Amen.

seventh lesson


Mary said:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit.


He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever."

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.

Carol Magnificat

Sung by All

1. My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit sings to God, my saving God, Who on this day above all others favored me And raised me up, a light for all to see.

2. Through me great deeds will God make manifest, And all the earth will come to call me blest. Unbounded love and mercy sure will I proclaim For all who know and praise God's holy name.

3. God's mighty arm, protector of the just, Will guard the weak and raise them from the dust. But mighty kings will swiftly fall from thrones corrupt. The strong brought low, the lowly lifted up.

4. Soon will the poor and hungry of the earth Be richly blest, be given greater worth. And Israel, as once foretold to Abraham, Will live in peace throughout the promised land.

5. All glory be to God, Creator blest, To Jesus Christ, God's love made manifest, And to the Holy Spirit, gentle Comforter, All glory be, both now and evermore.

Text © 1993, Owen Alstott. Music © 1993, Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP. All rights reserved.


Lord, you are the giver of all good gifts. May we always remember to share our gifts with others for the glory of your name. Amen.


eighth lesson

Reading Matthew 1:18–25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

Carol God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

All: God rest you merry gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay, For Jesus Christ our Savior Was born upon this day To save us all from Satan’s pow’r When we were gone astray: O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

Choir: From God our heav’nly Father A blessed angel came, And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same, How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by name: O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

All: The shepherds at those tidings Rejoicéd much in mind, And left their flocks afeeding In tempest, storm, and wind, And went to Bethlehem straightway This blessed babe to find: O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.


Choir: But when to Bethlehem they came, Whereat this infant lay, They found Him in a manger Where oxen feed on hay; His mother Mary kneeling, Unto the Lord did pray: O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

All: Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace; This holy tide of Christmas All others doth deface: O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

Traditional English Text and Melody, ca. 16th Century. arr. by John Stainer and David Willcocks.


God of power and might, you are beyond all time and space. May we never fail to recognize your majesty and give praise to you in all we do. Amen.

ninth lesson

Reading John 1:1–5, 9–14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.


Carol Of the Father’s Love Begotten

Sung by Choir

1. Corde natus ex Parentis, Ante mundi exordium, A et O cognominatus, Ipse fons et clausula Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt, Quaeque post futura sunt Saeculorum saeculis.

2. Of the Father’s love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore.

3. O that birth forever blessed, When the Virgin full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Savior of our race, And the babe, the world’s Redeemer, First revealed His sacred face, Evermore and evermore.

4. Let the heights of heaven adore Him, Angel hosts His praises sing , Powers, Dominions, bow before Him, And extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert ring , Evermore and evermore.

5. Christ to Thee with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee, Hymn, and chant, and high thanksgiving, And unwearied praises be. Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory, Evermore and evermore.

Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (b. 348); tr. John M. Neale (1818–1866) and Henry Baker (1821–1877). Music: Sanctus trope, 11th century; adapted by Piae Cantiones, 1582; arr. Robert Benson6


Lord, you call us to be your witnesses to the ends of the earth. Fill our words with power that we may proclaim your good news and draw all people to you. Amen.

Solemn Blessing Bishop Rivituso

Recessional Carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Sung by All

1. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful all you nations rise, join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”


Music reprinted under OneLicense.net No. 719894-A. All rights reserved.

2. Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord: Late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see: Hail the incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

3. Hail, the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that we no more may die, Born to raise us from the earth, born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Text: Charles Wesley, 1701–1788, alt.; Music: Felix Mendelssohn, 1809–1847.

Organ Postlude In Dulci Jubilo J. S. Bach

Music MinistersArchdiocesan Choir Dr. Horst Buchholz, Director

Archdiocesan Bellchoir Burnell Hackman, Director

Benton Blasingame, Organist

PresiderMost Reverend Mark S. Rivituso Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis

Cathedral ClergyMonsignor Henry Breier Reverend Mr. Allen Kirchner

ReadersMary Ann Cheng Mary Elizabeth Grimes Cynthia Haehnel Kevin Loos Brian Niebrugge Elizabeth Abraham Reese

Ministers oF the liturgy

For more information about the Archdiocesan Music Ministries, call 314-373-8227

S

ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUISOffice of Sacred Worship

Festival of Lessons and Carols - Cathedral Basilica of...

Documents

Transcript of Festival of Lessons and Carols - Cathedral Basilica of...