The NATIVITY, LESSONS & CAROLS

Diocese of Huron ▪ Anglican Church of Canada

5145 Wyandotte Street East Windsor, ON N8S 1C3

www.staugustine.ca

A Christmas Message

from The Rev’d Stan Fraser

Dear Friends, Here again we are in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. We sometimes get so wrapped up in other things we forget the real meaning of the Season. Delphia Freeman hits the nail on the head with this poem:

The Meaning of Christmas

When the hustle and bustle is over And the last of the gifts has been wrapped,

And the cookies and cakes are ready For the big Christmas plans you have mapped;

When the children are quiet and dreaming Of the presents Saint Nick will bestow,

And the fire on the hearth burns less brightly, And the clock has struck twelve long ago;

You relax by the embers and ponder On this happiest evening of all…

On the meaning of Christmas to mankind By Christ’s birth in the low cattle stall. In the giving of gifts upon Christmas,

People pattern the Father above Who, in giving His Son, gave His best gift…

So the meaning of Christmas is love. This Christmas season may we take time as Christmas Eve winds down to sit and remember that God gave us of His love the greatest gift of all – His Son. On Christmas Eve we celebrate Christ’s birth at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. In His Service

Rev. Stan Fraser Interim Rector

Welcome

Readings and Carols are printed below and will follow without introduction. Please remain seated for the hymns. Lesson 1: The Prophecy of the Messiah’s birth –

Isaiah 9:2, 6 & 7

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Refrain O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light, Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb;

Very God, begotten, not created;

Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

Refrain

See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle; Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear; We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps.

Refrain

Lesson 2: The birth of Jesus is announced to Mary Luke 1: 26-38

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel.

O come, O come, Great Lord of Might Who to your tribes, on Sinais’ height In ancient times once gave the law

In cloud, and majesty, and awe. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O Rod of Jesses’ 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.

O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of humankind O Bid our bitter conflicts cease,

And be for us our Prince of peace. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Lesson 3: Joseph, and Jesus’ birth – Matthew 1: 18-25

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King

Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled.”

Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic host proclaim,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn 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, the incarnate Deity,

Pleased as one of us to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King

Hail the heaven 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 each child of earth,

Born to give us second birth. Hark the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King

Lesson 4: The Birth of Jesus – Luke 2: 1-6

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall;

oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all.

Swift are winging angels singing, nowells ringing, tidings bringing:

Christ the babe is Lord of all, Christ the babe is Lord of all!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping

vigil till the morning new saw the glory, heard the story,

tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing greet tomorrow:

Christ the babe was born for you, Christ the babe was born for you!

Lesson 4 cont’d: Luke 2:7

Away in a Manger

Away in a manager

No crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus

Lays down His sweet head The stars in the bright sky Look down where he lay

The little Lord Jesus Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing The Baby wakes

But little Lord Jesus No crying He makes

I love you, Lord Jesus Look down from on high

And stay by my side Until morning is nigh

Be near me Lord Jesus,

I ask you to stay Close by me forever And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children In your tender care

And fit us for heaven To live with you there

Lesson 5: Angels and Shepherds –

Luke 2: 8-20

Offertory carol:

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

While shepherds watched their flocks by night

all seated on the ground, the angel of the Lord came down

and glory shone around.

“Fear not,” said he, for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind. “Glad tidings of great joy I bring

to you and humankind.

To you in David’s town this day is born of David’s line

a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord; and this shall be the sign:

the heavenly babe you there shall find

to human view displayed, all meanly wrapped in swaddling bands,

and in a manger laid”

Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith appeared a shining throng

of angels praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song:

“All glory be to God on high, and to the world be peace;

good will henceforth from heaven to earth begin, and never cease.”

Prayers of Intercession

Lesson 6: Visitors from the East – Matthew 2: 1-12

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are

Bearing gives we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain

Following yonder star

Refrain 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 reign

Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I Incense owns a Deity nigh

Pray’r and praising, all men raising Worship Him, God most high

Refrain

Glorious now behold Him arise King and God and Sacrifice

Alleluia, Alleluia Earth to heav’n replies

Refrain

Lesson 7: The Word became flesh – John 1: 1-14

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright.

Round 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.

Silent night, holy night,

Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace.

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Dismissal

PARISH PRAYER CYCLE: Denis & Michelle Benoit; Don Dickson; Gordon Haggert; Alex McCrindle; Janette White.

Sun, Dec 18th 6:30pm – Advent Bible Study Wed, Dec 21st 10am – Holy Communion Thurs, Dec 22nd 8am – Men’s Prayer Breakfast Fri, Dec 23rd 10am – Christingles Sat, Dec 24th 4pm – Christingle Service 8pm – Christmas Eucharist Sunday, Dec 25th 9am – Informal Family Eucharist [BAS] (JOINT service - please note time change!) Next week … Sun, Jan 1st 9am – Holy Communion [BCP] (JOINT service - please note time change!) Readings: Galatians 4:4-7 Psalm 8 Luke 2:15-21

ANNOUNCEMENTS DEANERY YOUTH BOWLING PARTY … Sunday, Jan 8th, 2pm at Rose Bowl Lanes (2482 Dougall Ave). Pizza, pop, shoes and bowling … please RSVP to youth.committee@essexdeanery.com. CHRISTINGLE PARTY! Many hands make light work and we are invited to help make the Christingles on Friday, Dec 23rd starting at 10am. CHRISTMAS HAMPERS ... Thank you! to everyone who contributed to the Christmas Hampers and the Giving Tree! The response was incredible … hampers will be packed this morning and any extra food items donated to St. Mary’s Food Cupboard. PASTA DINNER SUPPLIES … if you are able, donations of pasta sauce (any variety) and penne rigate would be greatly appreciated. THE SELECTION COMMITTEE is very proud and pleased to announce that Bishop Linda has appointed The Rev’d Paul Poolton as our new Rector effective Feb 1/17. We are deeply grateful to Rev. Stan for his time, dedication and inspiring leadership over these last few months. We will miss you!

Come to church this Christmas … This year, why not put a little spirit into your Christmas celebrations? Come join us for some favorite carols, family friendly services, the nativity story or that very special atmosphere of Christmas Eve. Our Christmas services …

Saturday, December 24th – CHRISTMAS EVE 4:00 pm “Christingle Service” – for children and those young at heart 8:00 pm Christmas Eucharist

Sunday, December 25th – CHRISTMAS DAY 9am Informal Family Eucharist [BAS]

Sunday, January 1st – NEW YEAR’S DAY 9am Holy Communion [BCP]

Diocese of Huron ▪ Anglican Church of Canada

5145 Wyandotte Street East Windsor, ON N8S 1C3

www.st.augustine.ca

Our regular weekly services Sunday 8:00 am & 10:00 / Wednesday 10:00 am