SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 15, 2024
4 PM CHRISTMAS LESSONS AND CAROLS CHURCH
Christmas LESSONS AND CAROLS
Welcome to Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church and to this year’s observance of Christmas Lessons and Carols. We hope your experience of worship is a blessing to you, and that this service helps you prepare to celebrate the coming of the Christ child, God’s incarnate Word.
The service of Lessons and Carols dates back to the nineteenth century. Until about 1875, the singing of Christmas carols was generally restricted to performances at people’s homes; carols were not included in worship services held at churches. But in 1878, John Stainer, the organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, included carols in a service of Choral Evensong; other cathedrals soon followed suit. Two years later, the Right Reverend Edward White Benson, Bishop of Truro, conducted a service of “Nine Lessons and Carols” in the temporary structure that was being used while the cathedral of Truro was being built. Benson interspersed the carols and hymns with readings that recounted the story of Israel’s longing for the coming of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus. After Benson was appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1883, many English churches adopted the practice of observing Christmas Lessons and Carols.
The form of the service used at Saint Michael and All Angels follows the form adopted at King’s College at Cambridge University. The service was first observed at King’s College in 1918, and in the years following several embellishments were made to the order for worship. The service at King’s College became so popular that in 1928 the BBC began to broadcast it, and it has been broadcast every year since that time (except for 1930, when the service was not observed at King’s, and in 2020, when the restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic prompted King’s to record the service rather than broadcast it live).
This service is the second in a three-part series of services of lessons and hymns we use at Saint Michael and All Angels during our observance of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. The first of these services, Advent Lessons and Carols, is held on the first Sunday of Advent. The third service, Epiphany Lessons and Carols, will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2025. We encourage you to make all three of these services a regular part of your seasonal observance, and hope your experience of worship today is a blessing to you.
We hope the readings and music included in this service help deepen your awareness of the presence and activity of God in your life and in the world, and thereby strengthens your trust in the gift of God’s love given to us in Jesus.
The Rev. Dr. Andrew Grosso Senior Associate for Discipleship
SAINT MICHAEL Choristers
Saint Michael Choristers is celebrating its fifth year as the children’s and youth choir program at Saint Michael and All Angels. One of the few opportunities in North Texas rooted in the English cathedral tradition and the Royal School of Church Music, we invite children in grades 3 to 12 to audition for the Treble and Senior Choristers featured in tonight's service. No musical background is required. Choristers receive a high-caliber education in music, vocal coaching, theory, music history, and analysis. Through our training program, choristers develop teamwork, confidence, focus, and leadership skills that will serve them both now and in the future. They also enjoy a variety of social activities, such as their trip to sing at Saint Christopher's, ice skating, swim parties, and the annual Chorister Camp. In 2026, they will embark on their first international tour to perform at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, England.
For more information, including how to join, please contact Tom Hammond-Davies, Director of Music, at thammond-davies@saintmichael.org, or Catherine Seveney, Assistant for Music, at cseveney@saintmichael.org.
The Cherub Choir is a preparatory choir for children in Pre-K3 through second grade. These youngest of our choristers enjoy a time of fun, engaging music exploration and are taught the basics of healthy singing, music literacy, and liturgical formation. For more information, contact Shelby Hendryx, the Director of Early Childhood Music, at shendryx@saintmichael.org.
Online registration is available at saintmichael.org/choristers
December 1
ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLS
Begin the Advent Season with this beloved service of readings, music, and processions led by the Saint Michael Choir.
December 15
CHRISTMAS LESSONS & CAROLS
As we prepare for Christmas and the birth of Christ, join us for this beloved service, featuring seven lessons and carols sung by our Saint Michael Choristers and Saint Michael Choir.
January 19
4 p.m. in the Church
EPIPHANY
LESSONS & CAROLS
A special evening of music and lesson readings: the Contemporary and Traditional music departments will perform selections of Epiphany hymns and original arrangements to observe the Light of the World given to all.
Christmas Christmas
MISSION & OUTREACH
Christmas Plate
At Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, as part of our Christmas celebrations, we have a lovely tradition of giving 100% of our undesignated offerings to outreach projects. This year, the Mission and Outreach Committee has chosen to support U.S. hurricane relief efforts.
Thank you for giving generously during this Christmas season.
saintmichael.org/blog/2024-christmas-plate
US Hurricane Relief
In September and October of 2024, communities in several states were devastated by the loss of lives, income, homes, businesses, and infrastructure when hurricanes hit. This year’s Christmas Plate Offering will therefore help the relief efforts in areas impacted by the damaging storms. Thank you for giving generously during this Christmas season.
SAINT MICHAEL DAY OF SERVICE
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025
Saturday, April 26 | All Parishioners (Ages 2–99)
Join us for a fun-filled, fast-paced day of giving back at Saint Michael where we’ll pack 50,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger! All ages are invited to help from 8:30 – 10 a.m. or 9:30 – 11 a.m., then youth grades 6-12 will compete to pack the most meals from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy music, meals, and the chance to make a real difference. Sign up online for this lively, impactful event!
Incesnse will be used at this service.
CHRISTMAS LESSONS AND CAROLS
Prelude
In dulci jubilo Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707)
Pastorale ‘Gesu Bambino’ Pietro Yon (1886-1943)
Noël Suisse Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772)
Puer natus est Everett Titcomb (1884-1968)
Welcome (seated)
Handheld candles will be lit by acolytes moving from the back of the church to the front of the church.
The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
Entering Procession (standing, verse 1 Solo, verse 2 Choir, verses 3-6 All)
“Once in royal David’s city” Irby
Solo 1. Once in royal David’s 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 2. 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 Savior holy.
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The Bidding Prayer (standing)
Officiant
Beloved in Christ, in this Christmastide, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves 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.
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; and let us make this sacred space glad with our carols of praise.
But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for unity and brotherhood within the Church he came to build, and especially in the Episcopal Church in this diocese and in this country.
And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his Name the poor and the helpless, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick in body and mind and those who mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; and 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 his pure and lowly Mother, and all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.
These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself hath taught us:
All Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
The congregation extinguishes their candles.
Peter Warlock’s “Adam Lay Ybounden” is a choral setting of a 15th century Middle English carol reflecting on the Fall of Man and redemption through Christ. Warlock’s use of modal harmonies and lyrical counterpoint evokes a medieval atmosphere, while his modern harmonic touches add depth to this brief but evocative piece. It remains a popular choice for Christmas programs, blending Renaissance influences with a contemporary sensibility.
Peter Brodsky, CEO, The Shops at RedBird
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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.
Carol (seated, sung by the Saint Michael Choristers)
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 clerkès finden Written in their book.
Nè had the apple taken been, The apple taken been, Ne had never our lady Abeen heavenè queen.
Blessèd be the time That apple taken was, Therefore we moun singen: Deo gracias!
- Anonymous, 15th Century
The First Lesson (seated) Genesis 17:1-8
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you and will make you exceedingly numerous.” Then Abram fell on his face, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be
Peter Warlock (1894-1930)
Abraham, for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding, and I will be their God.”
Carol (seated, sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
What sweeter music
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice! Awake the string!
Dark and dull night, fly hence away,
And give the honour to this day
That sees December turned to May.
Why does the chilling winter’s morn
Smile, like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like a meadow newly shorn
John Rutter (b. 1945)
John Rutter's “What sweeter music” offers a radiant celebration of joy and harmony, beautifully capturing the essence of the Christmas spirit. Its lush harmonies and flowing melodies invite the congregation to reflect on the beauty of the season, creating a warm and uplifting atmosphere. This piece serves as a heartfelt reminder of the joy and sweetness that music brings during the holiday celebrations.
Thus, on the sudden? Come and see The cause, why things thus fragrant be:
’Tis He is born, whose quick’ning birth
Gives life and luster, public mirth
To Heaven, and the under-Earth.
We see him come, and know him ours, Who with his sunshine and his showers, Turns all the patient ground to flowers.
The darling of the world is come, And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome him. The nobler part
Of all the house here, is the Heart, Which we will give him; and bequeath
This holly, and this ivy wreath,
To do him honour; who’s our King, And Lord of all this revelling.
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
- Robert Herrick (1591-1675)
Kit Sawers, President & CEO, Klyde Warren Park
Sir David Willcocks’ arrangement of "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day" invites the congregation to experience the joyful essence of Christ’s life through its lively rhythms and celebratory text. The vibrant interplay of voices creates an uplifting atmosphere, allowing listeners to connect with the imagery of dance and love inherent in the carol. This engaging music offers a delightful journey through the key moments of Christ's life, leaving congregants filled with joy and hope.
The Second Lesson (seated)
The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior.
Joe
Carreón, President, Dallas ISD Board of Trustees
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. ... For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Carol (seated, sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day English trad., arr. David Willcocks
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day: I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love; This have I done for my true love.
Then was I born of a Virgin pure, Of her I took fleshly substance; Thus was I knit to man’s nature,
To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love; This have I done for my true love.
In a manger laid and wrapp’d I was, So very poor, this was my chance, Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass, To call my true love to my dance:
Sing O my love; This have I done for my true love.
- Anonymous, 15th Century
The Third Lesson (seated) Isaiah 11:1-9
The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the
rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Hymn (standing, sung by all)
“Silent night, holy night” Stille Nacht
Hymn 111
Monica Christopher, Dallas Campus President, Texas Woman’s University
Robert Parsons lived a tragically short life, and although he was wellrespected among his peers, little of his work survives today. His setting of “Ave Maria” is a cherished masterwork within the Anglican canon, featuring a unique structure where the highest voice begins with a slower rhythm over faster-moving polyphony. At “benedicta tu,” the top voice unexpectedly joins the faster motion, creating a flourish that underscores the abundant blessing of the Annunciation, which Parsons expresses through generous musical means.
Almas Muscatwalla,
Commissioner, Dallas Housing Authority
The Fourth Lesson (seated) Luke 1:39-46
The Virgin Mary greets Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s child leaps for joy.
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Carol (seated, sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
Ave Maria Robert Parsons (c. 1535-1572)
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum; benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui.Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Amen.
- Luke 1:28
The Fifth Lesson (seated)
Saint Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:1, 3-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ... All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Offertory Carol (seated, sung by the Saint Michael Choir)
In the bleak mid-winter
Harold Darke (1888-1976)
In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, Snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter long ago.
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 mid-winter Long A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for him, whom cherubim Worship night and day, A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay; Enough for him, whom angels Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel Which adore.
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.
- Christina Rossetti
The Sixth Lesson (seated) Luke 2:8-16
The shepherds go to the manger.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you:
Harold Darke’s tender setting of Christina Rossetti’s poignant poem has been one of the most beloved Christmas choral pieces since the composer wrote it in 1941 when he became music director and organist at King’s College, Cambridge. Alternating solo verses with choral verses, Darke offers much beauty and depth in simplicity.
Rev. Matthew Ruffner, Senior Pastor, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church
Stacey Malcolmson, President & CEO, The Senior Source
you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.
Hymn (standing, sung by all)
“While shepherds watched their flocks” Winchester Old
Hymn 94
The Seventh Lesson (seated) John 1:1-18
The Word was made flesh and we have seen his glory.
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 into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself
was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me’.”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
Hymn (standing, sung by all)
“O come, all ye faithful” Adeste Fideles
Hymn continues on the next page.
Collect (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Blessing (standing)
Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, grant you the fullness of inward peace and goodwill, and make you partakers of the divine nature; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
Hymn (standing, sung by all)
“Hark! the herald angels sing”
Polish Carol Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)
Hymn permission used by Rite Song, a one-time use reprint license for congregational use.
The foregoing text of the worship service contained in this order of worship is taken from the Book of Occassional Services.
Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE # M - 402151.