- Prelude: “Prepare the Way, O Zion” and “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (from Four Advent Pieces for Flute and Organ) – Robert J. Powell (Fiona Strachan, flute; Konrad Harley, organ)
- Opening Hymn: 88 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
- FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 40:1 –8
- Hymn: 106 There’s a Voice in the Wilderness
- SECOND LESSON: Jeremiah 23:5 –6
- Hymn: 102 Prepare the Way, O Zion
- THIRD LESSON: Zechariah 9:9 –10
- Anthem: Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life – Philip Tomblings (1902-1986)
Come, my way, my truth, my life:
Such a way as gives us breath:
Such a truth as ends all strife:
Such a life as killeth death.
Come, my light, my feast, my strength:
Such a light as shows a feast:
Such a feast as mends in length:
Such a strength as makes his guest.
Come, my joy, my love, my heart:
Such a joy as none can move:
Such a love as none can part:
Such a heart as joys in love.
-Text by George Herbert
- FOURTH LESSON: Haggai 2:6 –9
- Hymn 117: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
- FIFTH LESSON: Isaiah 35:1 –6
- Anthem: Word of God, Come Down on Earth – Konrad Harley (on the tune LIEBSTER JESU by Johann Rudolph Ahle (1625-1673)) (with Fiona Strachan, flute)
Word of God, come down on earth,
Living rain of God descending:
Touch our hearts and bring to birth
Faith and hope and love unending.
Word almighty, we revere you;
Word made flesh, we long to hear you.
Text by James Quinn, SJ (1919-)
- SIXTH LESSON: Luke 1:26 –35, 38
- Hymn: Gabriel’s Message (Basque carol)
The Angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
‘All hail,’ said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!
‘For known a blessèd Mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honour thee,
thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold;
most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
‘To me be as it pleaseth God,’ she said,
‘My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name’:
most highly favoured lady. Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ was born
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas mom,
and Christian folk throughout the world will ever say
‘Most highly favoured lady.’ Gloria!
- SEVENTH LESSON: Mark 1:1–15
- Offertory Hymn 101: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
- Anthem: Wake, O wake! - J. S. Bach, arr. W. Gillies Whittaker
Wake, O wake! with tidings thrilling,
The watchmen all the air are filling,
Arise, Jerusalem, arise!
Midnight strikes! no more delaying,
‘The hour has come!’ we hear them saying.
Where are ye all, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes in sight,
Raise high your torches bright!
Alleluya! The wedding song
Swells loud and strong:
Go forth and join the festal throng.
Sion hears the watchmen shouting,
Her heart leaps up with joy undoubting,
She stands and waits with eager eyes;
See her Friend from heav’n descending,
Adorned with truth and grace unending!
Her light burns clear, he star doth rise.
Now come, thou precious Crown,
Lord Jesu, God’s own Son!
Hosianna!
Let us prepare to follow there,
Where in thy supper we may share.
-Philip Nicolai, tr. Francis Crawford Burkitt
- Concluding Hymn 89: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
- Postlude: “People, Look East” and “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers” (from Four Advent Pieces for Flute and Organ) – Robert J. Powell (Fiona Strachan, flute; Konrad Harley, organ)
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