Virtual Lessons and Carols

12/20/2020

The Service of Lessons and Carols is a traditional service from the Church of England that combines beloved Christmas carols with the story of Jesus' birth from the first promise to its fulfillment.

Since we are more limited this year in what we are able to do as a gathered congregation - including singing Christmas carols - we have provided this virtual service of Lessons and Carols for you to use in your own home.

There are two options to participate.

First, download the service folder below.

Option 1

Watch and follow.

The first video below is the entire recorded Service of Lessons and Carols.

Option 2

Conduct the service as a family or small group.

Following the recording of the entire service are the various parts of the service. You can use the digital worship folder to conduct the service with the head of the household as leader.

You may also wish to assign readings to the other members of your household.

Videos of the carols are included for each section to aid your singing.

The Service of Lessons and Carols
Full Service

Procession & Bidding Prayer

Beloved in Christ, at this Christmas-tide let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Therefore 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.

But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all His people; for unity and brotherhood within the Church He came to build, and especially in this our parish.

And because this would rejoice His heart, let us remember, in His name, the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry, and the oppressed; the sick and them that mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children; 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 all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are one forevermore.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the Throne of Heaven, in the words which Christ Himself has taught us…

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,
   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 forever 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.

The First Lesson

Genesis 3:8-15

The Second Lesson

Genesis 22:15-18

The Third Lesson

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

The Fourth Lesson

Micah 5:2-5a

The Fifth Lesson

Luke 1:26-38

The Sixth Lesson

Luke 2:1-7

The Seventh Lesson

Luke 2:8-16

The Eighth Lesson

Matthew 2:1-12

The Ninth Lesson

John 1:1-14

Prayers & Blessing

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, King of kings and Lord of lords, the Son of the living God and Son of David, come. Come now to Your Church that You have purchased with Your blood. Come with Your gracious presence, that we may rejoice in You. Come and rule over us, that we may serve and follow You. Come with Your love, humility, and perfect obedience, and let Your lowliness become our glory. Come into the midst of Your people and bless us, for we are Your heritage. Forgive us our sin, and do not angrily cast away Your servants, for You are meek and gracious. Clothe us with the garment of Your righteousness, for You are the only righteous one and our helper. Satisfy us with the abundance of Your mercy, for You did become poor for our sakes, that by Your poverty we might be made rich. Hear us, Lord Jesus, for the sake of Your holy name.
Amen.

O great and glorious Redeemer, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, we praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory. O Lord God, Lamb of God, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, King of kings and Lord of lords, Emmanuel, God with us! For you only are holy; You only are the Lord; You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are the most high in the glory of God the Father. But chiefly on this most holy of nights we adore You for leaving the glory that You had with the Father before the world began. We humbly ask You, by the holy mystery of Your incarnation and nativity, to deliver us, good Lord. You who came that we might have life and be saved from our sin, be gracious to us and save us. Let the glad tidings we commemorate this night be made known to all people.
Amen

May He, who by His incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.

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