麻豆社

PLEASE NOTE: This script cannot exactly reflect the transmission,听as it was prepared before the service was broadcast.听It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer,听and minor spelling and other errors that were corrected before the radio broadcast.It may contain gaps to be filled in at the time so that prayers may reflect the needs of the world,听and changes may also be made at the last minute for timing reasons,听or to reflect current events.

Music before the service
Prelude on 鈥楾his endris nyght鈥� 听听听听听听听听听 Healey Willan (1880-1968)

Opening Announcement [from Continuity] (For programmes on Radio 3, 4 and 4 Extra)
麻豆社 Radio 4. It鈥檚 half past eleven, and time to go live to Manchester Cathedral, for Midnight Mass. The celebrant is the Dean, Rogers Govender and the preacher is the Lord Bishop of Manchester Dr David Walker.听 In keeping with current regulations the socially distanced congregation joins in the spoken responses only.

The music of the Mass is Mozart鈥檚 Missa Brevis in F, K192. And before the opening hymn the choir, also socially distanced in their stalls, sings a Christmas Acclamation by the Organist and Master of the Choristers Christopher Stokes: 鈥淕loria in Excelsis Deo 鈥� Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy.鈥�
The Gathering

Christmas Acclamation听sung by the Choir

听Gloria in excelsis Deo.听Glory be to God on high.
听Solo听Behold, I bring you good tidings
听of great joy which shall be to
听all people: for unto you is
听born in the city of David, a
听Saviour, which is Christ the
听尝辞谤诲.
听础濒濒别濒耻颈补.

Christopher Stokes听听听听听Luke 2. 10, 11

Hymn听听听听听sung by the Choir

听It came upon the midnight clear,
听听That glorious song of old,
听From angels bending near the earth
听听To touch their harps of gold:
听鈥楶eace on the earth, good-will to men,
听听From heaven鈥檚 all gracious King!鈥�
听The world in solemn stillness lay
听听To hear the angels sing.
听
听Still through the cloven skies they come,
听听With peaceful wings unfurled;
听And still their heavenly music floats
听听O鈥檈r all the weary world;
听Above its sad and lowly plains
听听They bend on hovering wing;
听And ever o鈥檈r its Babel sounds
听听The bless猫d angels sing.

听Yet with the woes of sin and strife
听听The world has suffered long;
听Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
听听Two thousand years of wrong;
听And man, at war with man, hears not
听听The love-song which they bring:
听O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
听听And hear the angels sing!

听For lo! the days are hastening on,
听听By prophet bards foretold,
听When, with the ever-circling years,
听听Comes round the age of gold;
听When peace shall over all the earth
听听Its ancient splendours fling,
听And the whole world give back the song
听听Which now the angels sing.

Traditional English melody听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听

Edmund Sears (1810-1876)
adapted by Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900)

The Greeting
听
The president may say
听
President听In the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
All听Amen.
听
President听鈥楧o I not fill heaven and earth?鈥� says the Lord.
All听Now the Word is made flesh
听and laid in a narrow manger.
听
President听From eternity to eternity you are God,
All听and now we see you as a newborn child.
听
President听Grace, mercy and peace
听from God our Father
听and the Lord Jesus Christ
听be with you.
All听and also with you.
听
听
The president welcomes the people.

Welcome to Midnight Mass from the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in the heart of the City of Manchester. The building is the old mediaeval Parish Church of Manchester. King Henry V first granted it Collegiate status in 1421 and it became Manchester鈥檚 Cathedral on the creation of the Diocese of Manchester in 1847. It is believed that there has been a church on or near this site for over a thousand years.

2021 will be a special year for Manchester Cathedral as it marks the 600th anniversary of the granting of our first Royal charter establishing a Collegiate Church.

Prayers of Penitence
听
Deacon:听听听听听听 Christ the Light of the world has come
听to dispel the darkness of our hearts.
听In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.
听
Silence is kept.

Deacon听God our Father,
听you sent your Son full of grace and truth:
听forgive our failure to receive him.
听Lord, have mercy.
All听Lord have mercy.
听
Deacon听Jesus our Saviour,
听you were born in poverty and laid in a manger:
听forgive our greed and rejection of your ways.
听Christ, have mercy.
All听Christ, have mercy.
听听
Deacon听Spirit of love,
听your servant Mary responded joyfully to your call:
听forgive the hardness of our hearts.
听Lord, have mercy.
All听Lord, have mercy.
听
听
President听May the God of all healing and forgiveness
听draw you to himself,
听and cleanse you from all your sins
听that you may behold the glory of his Son,
听the Word made flesh,
听and be cleansed from all your sins,
听through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All听Amen.

Gloria in excelsis:听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 sung by the Choir
听
SOLO Gloria in excelsis Deo,听听Glory be to God on high,
Et in terra pax hominibus听听and in earth peace,
bonae voluntatis.听听听good will towards men.听 听
Laudamus te, benedicimus te,听听We praise thee, we bless thee,听听听

adoramus te, glorificamus te.听听we worship thee, we glorify thee, 听听
Gratias agimus tibi听听听we give thanks to thee
propter magnam gloriam tuam.听for thy great glory, 听
Domine Deus, Rex caelestis,听听O Lord God, heavenly King,
Deus Pater omnipotens.听听God the Father Almighty.
听听听听听
Domine Fili unigenite,听听O Lord, the only-begotten Son
Jesu Christe.听 Domine Deus,听听Jesu Christ;听 O Lord God,
Agnus Dei, Filius Patris.听听Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
Qui tollis peccata mundi,听听that takest away the sins of the world,
miserere nobis.听听听have mercy upon us.听 听听

Qui tollis peccata mundi,听听Thou that takest away听
the sins of the world,
suscipe deprecationem nostram.听receive our prayer.听 听
听
Qui sedes ad dextera m Patris,听Thou that sittest at the right hand
of God the Father,
miserere nobis.听听听have mercy upon us.听
听
Quoniam tu solus sanctus,听听For thou only art holy;听 听听
tu solus Dominus,听听听thou only art the Lord;听 听听
tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe,听thou only, O Christ, 听听
cum Sancto Spiritu听听听with the Holy Ghost, 听听
in gloria Dei Patris.听听art most high in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.听听听听Amen.

The Collect
听
President听Let us pray in the peace of this Christmas celebration听that our joy in the birth of Christ will last forever.

Silence is kept

Eternal God,
听who made this most holy night
听to shine with the brightness of your one true light:
听bring us, who have known the revelation
听of that light on earth,
听to see the radiance of your heavenly glory;
听through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
听who is alive and reigns with you,
听in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
听one God, now and for ever.听
All听听Amen.
听
Please be seated

The Liturgy of the Word
听
First Reading 听听听听听听听听听听 听听听听听听听听听听听 听听听听听听 Isaiah 9.2-7 听听听听
A reading from Isaiah

The people who walked in darkness
听听 have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness鈥�
听听 on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
听听 you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
听听 as with joy at the harvest,
听听 as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
听听 and the bar across their shoulders,
听听 the rod of their oppressor,
听听 you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
听听 and all the garments rolled in blood
听听 shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
听
For a child has been born for us,
听听 a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
听听 and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
听听 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
听听 and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
听听 He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
听听 from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

At the end of the reading

This is the word of the Lord
All听听Thanks be to God.

Please stand, if you are able.

An acclamation (Alleluia) heralds the Gospel reading.

Choir听

Cantor听听The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,听
and we have seen his glory.
Choir听听Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.听
All: Glory to you O Lord.听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
Luke 2.1-20

听
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 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.

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, 鈥楧o not be afraid; for see鈥擨 am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.鈥� And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 鈥楪lory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favours!鈥�
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 鈥楲et us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.鈥�

So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

At the end of the reading
听
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All听听听听听听 听Praise to you O Christ

A Gospel Fanfare is sounded.

听
Sermon: 听The Rt Rev鈥檇 Dr David Walker
Lord Bishop of Manchester

May I speak in the name of God who is Father Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

Bethlehem, we are told, was the city from which Joseph鈥檚 ancestors came. His ties of kinship to the town were the reason why he and his fianc茅e had to travel there from Nazareth, to be registered in the census that Caesar had ordered, despite Mary being 9 months pregnant. We know, not least from the stories that Jesus tells, how embedded customs and traditions of hospitality were in first century Palestine - traditions that should have placed huge obligations to look after a relative arriving from another part of the country. And yet the bible story is very clear. Try as he might, the only accommodation Joseph can access for Mary to give birth to her baby is a cattle shed. Was there nobody in the entire city prepared to offer a better space to a relative in need?

St John, writes this telling line, 鈥淗e came to his own, but his own received him not鈥�. It鈥檚 a phrase most often cited as a reference to how the religious leaders of the day, and eventually most of the population at large, refused to acknowledge that Jesus was the long expected Messiah. From preaching to adoring crowds of 5,000 and more, he ends up with scarcely a dozen faithful followers. But John places this verse at the beginning of his gospel, not the end. At the very moment when Jesus comes into the world, he faces immediate rejection. Before he鈥檚 had a chance to do anything anyone might be offended by.

As we celebrate the birth of the Christ child this Christmas, many of us, in the UK and beyond, are doing so under tight restrictions. We cannot visit all those we would wish to spend time with. We cannot welcome into our homes everyone to whom we would wish to offer Christmas hospitality. Some may feel particularly rejected because relatives have chosen another household to 鈥渂ubble鈥� with, in preference to them. The code of hospitality in Britain in 2020 may not be as exacting of that of the society Jesus was born into, but it matters. And the loss of connection, especially at this time of year, hurts.

We鈥檙e not told why Mary and Joseph were turned away from the homes they approached that first Christmas night. Was the scandal that Joseph鈥檚 relations knew they were not married, and yet Mary was clearly ready to give birth? Or had rumours reached them that the carpenter might not even be the father of this child? Was Jesus being rejected not simply since the town was overcrowded, nor on his own account, but because those who brought him were in disgrace?

When we experience rejection, it may not be due to anything we ourselves have done, or failed to do, but because we are connected to others who are deemed not acceptable, guilt by association. In early 2020, stories emerged of people being abused in the street for looking ethnically Chinese. The purported origins of the coronavirus, and the fear it provoked, led some to feel they could vent their feelings in vile words or physical assault. I was very proud of the people of Manchester in the way the overwhelming majority of us responded to the terrorist attack of 2017, refusing to vilify people for appearing to share ethnic or religious identity with the perpetrator of the atrocity, and calling out any who did. The Christian message is very clear. God does not punish one person for the sins of another, and nor must we.

But the rejection of Jesus that winter鈥檚 night in Bethlehem takes us even further. It is not simply that he has done no wrong, neither have Mary or Joseph. Mary has met the archangel Gabriel, and agreed to bear the Son of God. Joseph has been visited by God鈥檚 messenger in a dream, and told not to reject Mary because of her pregnancy, but to take her as his future wife. Their rejection, and in consequence that of Jesus, lies not in their wrongdoing but in the judgemental attitudes of others. 鈥淛udge not, lest you find yourselves judged鈥�, says Jesus. In John鈥檚 Gospel he makes it explicit that he is not on Earth to judge but as Saviour of the world. And yet one of the accusations often levelled against Christians is that of being judgemental. We criticise behaviour in others without serious attempt to understand their motives. I鈥檓 not exempt from that temptation myself. Yet we know how it feels to be condemned without having chance to explain our actions.

Some of us tonight will be feeling punished for the faults of others. The Christmas we would have imagined spending, if we鈥檇 been asked at the start of the year, is not the Christmas we now find ourselves living in. The more excluded we are from our customary festivities and hospitality, the more rejected we are likely to feel. We can blame governments for taking wrong steps in what has been an unprecedented crisis, allowing the virus to spread further and last longer than a few more fortunate nations have experienced. We can blame young people for not taking the threat to the lives of their elders seriously enough, whilst ignoring their need to explore and build relationships outside of their own households. We can blame those who appear to think rules are only there for other, less important people to obey.

Mary and Joseph are not interested in blame that Christmas night. They simply get on with what needs to be done. If their resting place is to be a cattle shed, so be it. And there, amid the animals and the straw, the baby is born. A child already rejected, but who welcomes all. A child who will bear every sin, and yet speak only words of forgiveness. May the same Christ child break into your world this Christmas. May the light of his love shine on you, and drive away the shadows of rejection. Even in this hardest of years, may he make your Christmas merry.

After the sermon silence is kept for reflection.

听
Please stand with the president as we affirm our faith.

The Creed
听
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit
and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic
and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism
for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Minister听In peace let us pray to the Lord.
听
听Father, in this holy night your Son our Saviour
听was born in human flesh.
听Renew your Church as the body of Christ.听
听Holy God
All听hear our prayer.
听
听In this holy night there was no room for your Son in the inn. Protect with your love those who have no home, and all who live in poverty.听

Holy God
All听hear our prayer.
听
听In this holy night Mary, in the pain of labour,
听brought your Son to birth.
听Hold in your hand all who are in pain or distress.
听

Holy God
All听hear our prayer.
听
听In this holy night your Christ came as a light shining in 听darkness. Bring comfort to all who suffer in the sadness of our world.

Holy God
All听hear our prayer.
听
In this holy night shepherds in the fields heard good tidings 听of joy.听 Give us grace to preach the gospel of Christ鈥檚 redemption.

Holy God
All听hear our prayer.
听
听In this holy night strangers found the Holy Family,
听And saw the baby lying in the manger.
听Bless our homes and all whom we love.
听

Holy God
All听hear our prayer.

听In this holy night heaven is come down to earth,
听and earth is raised to heaven.
听Hold in your hand all those who have passed through death
听in the hope of your coming kingdom.
听

Holy God
All听hear our prayer.

In this holy night, Christians the world over are celebrating
Christ鈥檚 birth.
听Open our hearts that he may be born in us today.

Holy God
All听hear our prayer.

Father,
听in this holy night angels and shepherds worshipped at the manger throne.
Receive the worship we offer in fellowship with Mary, Joseph and the saints through him who is your Word made flesh, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
All听Amen.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament
The Peace

President听This holy night the angels sang,
鈥楪lory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to all in whom he delights.鈥櫶�
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All听And also with you.

Hymn听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 听听听听
听听 sung by the Choir
听
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright;
鈥楻ound yon virgin mother and Child,
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!听

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love鈥檚 pure light;
Radiance beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Franz Gr眉ber (1787-1863)听听听Joseph Mohr (1792-1848)

Preparation of the Table and Taking of the Bread and Wine

President听Word made flesh, life of the world,
in your incarnation you embraced our poverty:
by your Spirit may we share in your riches.
All听Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer听听
听
President听The Lord be with you.
All听And also with you.

President听Lift up your hearts.
All听We lift them to the Lord.

President听Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All听It is right to give thanks and praise.

President听All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere,
mighty creator, ever-living God.
We give you thanks and praise for your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who for love of our fallen race humbled himself,
and on this night was born of the Virgin Mary
by the power of your Spirit,
and lived as one of us.
听In this mystery of the Word made flesh
you have caused his light to shine in our hearts,
to give knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
In him we see our God made visible
and so are caught up in the love of the God we cannot see.
Therefore with all the angels of heaven
we lift our voices to proclaim the glory of your name
and sing our joyful hymn of praise:

听

Choir:

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus,听Holy, holy, holy,听听听
Dominus Deus Sabaoth.听Lord God of hosts,听听
Pleni sunt caeli et terra听heaven and earth are full听听
gloria tua.听听听of thy glory. Osanna in excelsis.听听Hosanna in the highest.听听
听
Benedictus qui venit听Blessed is he that cometh
in nomine Domini.听听in the name of the Lord.
Osanna in excelsis.听听Hosanna in the highest.

President听We praise and bless you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit,
that broken bread and wine outpoured
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died, he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended, he took the cup of wine.听
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
听

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did;
in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice
made once for all upon the cross.
Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,
we proclaim his death and resurrection
until he comes in glory.

Deacon听Jesus Christ is Lord:听
All听Lord, by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.

President听Lord of all life,
help us to work together for that day
when your kingdom comes,
and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people,
gather us in your loving arms,
and bring us with all the saints
to feast at your table in heaven.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
for ever and ever.
All听Amen.

The Lord鈥檚 Prayer
听
President听Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray

All听Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.听
Give us today our daily bread.听
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.听
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.听
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.听
Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread
听
President听We break the bread of life,
and that life is the light of the world.听
All听God here among us,
light in the midst of us,
bring us to light and life.

The Giving of Communion

President听Christ is the true bread which has come down from heaven.
All听Lord, give us this bread always.

Prayer for Spiritual Holy Communion

My Jesus,
I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there,
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听
St Alphonsus Liguori

The President receives communion and then says:

The body of Christ
All听Amen.

Please follow the direction of the Vergers as you come forward to receive Holy Communion.

If you would normally receive communion in your own church you are very welcome to do so here. If you do not wish to receive communion, please feel free to come up for a blessing instead, just bow your head and keep your hands down so the Eucharistic Minister will know.
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During the administration of communion, the Choir sings the Agnus Dei and Christmas anthems.

Agnus Dei听听听听

Agnus Dei,听O Lamb of God 听
qui tollis peccata mundi,听听that takest away the sins of the world,
miserere nobis.听 听听听have mercy upon us.

Agnus Dei,听O Lamb of God 听
qui tollis peccata mundi,听听that takest away the sins of the world,
miserere nobis.听 听听听have mercy upon us.

Agnus Dei, O Lamb of God 听
qui tollis peccata mundi,听听that takest away the sins of the world,
dona nobis pacem.听听听grant us thy peace.
Please stand, if you are able.

What sweeter music (Rutter)

In the bleak (Darke)

Blessed be that Maide Marie (Gareth Treseder)

Prayer after Communion

President听God our Father,
In this night, you have made known to us again
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
confirm our faith and fix our eyes on him,
until the day dawns
and Christ the Morning Star rises in our hearts.听
All听To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.听

All听Father of all,
we give you thanks and praise,
that when we were still far off
you met us in your Son and brought us home.
Dying and living, he declared your love,
gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.
May we who share Christ鈥檚 body live his risen life;
we who drink his cup bring life to others;
we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.
Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
so we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name;
through Christ our Lord.听 Amen.

Hymn听听听听听听听听听听听听
sung by the Choir

Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled:
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th'angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th'incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings;
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.
听
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-47)听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Charles Wesley & others
Descant by Howard Arman (b 1954)听

The president may offer Christmas greetings before The Dismissal.

The Dismissal

The Blessing

Bishop听May the Father,
who has loved the eternal Son
from before the foundation of the world,
shed that love upon you his children.
All听听 听Amen.

May Christ,
who by his incarnation gathered into one
things earthly and heavenly,
fill you with joy and peace.
All听 听Amen.
听听

May the Holy Spirit,
by whose overshadowing Mary became the God-bearer,
give you grace to carry the good news of Christ.
All听听 听Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
All听听 听Amen.

Deacon听Go in peace. Proclaim the Word made flesh.
All听Glory, thanks and praise to God.

Music after the service
Toccata听听听听听听听 Th茅odore Dubois (1837-1924)

The Dean & Chapter would like to take this opportunity in wishing you a very Peaceful and Joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Closing Announcement [from Continuity] (For programmes on Radio 3, 4 and 4 Extra)
Toccata by Theodore Dubois bringing to a close Midnight Mass which came live from Manchester Cathedral. The celebrant was the Dean, Rogers Govender and the preacher the Lord Bishop of Manchester Dr David Walker. The Organist and Master of the Choristers was Christopher Stokes and the Sub-organist, Geoffrey Woollatt. The producer was Philip Billson.
听
Covid regulations may have meant that you missed seeing a local nativity play this year. Well 鈥渇ear not鈥� because later this Christmas morning, at nine o鈥檆lock, the Revd Richard Carter and the Revd Catherine Duce retell the Christmas story with members of the congregation of the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields. No nativity is complete without a donkey so the Christmas Service also visits Hackney City Farm as well as seeking out some shepherds in the 鈥淔ields鈥� around the church now known as Trafalgar Square. The Christmas Morning Sermon - always a set piece 鈥� will be delivered by the Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Revd Dr Sam Wells.
[over]
And then at a quarter past midnight as Christmas Day draws to a close Frank Cottrell-Boyce reflects on the idiosyncrasies of the day and the uniqueness of this year鈥檚 festivities in the Christmas Meditation. Amidst the new toys, ripped wrapping paper, and leftover turkey, Frank contemplates stars of wonder, recurring traditions, and why, even in the darkest times, the spirit of Christmas is never far away.