Order of Service

Opening Prayer

Fr Marc Homsey, Priest Chaplain, Leeds Trinity University

Please be seated

The Chapel Choir of Leeds Trinity University

Luke 1:26-38

At that time: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’



And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy — the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.

Choir & Congregation

1. First verse by The Chapel Choir of Leeds Trinity University
   
   
2. By his word was all created;
   he commanded and ‘twas done;
   earth and sky and boundless ocean,
   universe of three in one,
   all that sees the moon’s soft radiance,
   all that breathes beneath the sun,
   evermore and evermore.
   
   
3. He assumed this mortal body,
   frail and feeble, doomed to die,
   that the race from dust created
   might not perish utterly,
   which the dreadful Law had sentenced
   in the depths of hell to lie, evermore and evermore.
   
   
4. O how blest that wondrous birthday,
   when the Maid the curse retrieved,
   brought to birth mankind’s salvation,
   by the Holy Ghost conceived,
   and the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
   in her loving arms received,
   evermore and evermore.
   
   
5. This is he, whom seer and sybil
   sang in ages long gone by;
   this is he of old revealèd
   in the page of prophecy;
   lo! he comes, the promised Saviour;
   let the world his praises cry!
   evermore and evermore.
   
   
6. Sing, ye heights of heaven, his praises;
   Angels and Archangels, sing!
   wheresoe’er ye be, ye faithful,
   let your joyous anthems ring,
   every tongue his name confessing,
   countless voices answering,
   evermore and evermore.

Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-c. 413)

The Chapel Choir of Leeds Trinity University

Matthew 1:18-24

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel’ —which means, God with us.

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife.

Choir & Congregation

1. First verse by The Chapel Choir of Leeds Trinity University
   
   
2. Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
   nor earth sustain;
   heaven and earth shall flee away,
   when He comes to reign.
   In the bleak mid-winter
   a stable-place sufficed the Lord God Almighty,
   Jesus Christ.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. Angels and archangels
   may have gathered there,
   cherubim and seraphim
   thronged the air,
   but only his mother,
   in her maiden bliss,
   worshiped the Beloved
   with a kiss.
   
   
5. 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 G. Rossetti (1830-94)

Luke 2: 4-7

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Mount St Mary's Catholic High School

Choir & Congregation

1. First verse by Mount St Mary's Catholic High School
2. 
   

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,

born is the King of Israel!

1. 
   
2. They looked up and saw a star,
   shining in the east, beyond them far,
   and to the earth it gave great light,
   and so it continued both day and night.
   
   
3. Then let us all with one accord
   sing praises to our heavenly Lord,
   That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
   and with His blood mankind
   hath bought.

Traditional English Carol

Fr Marc Pitson

Choir & Congregation

1. O little town of Bethlehem
   How still we see thee lie.
   Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
   the silent stars go by.
   Yet in thy dark streets shineth
   the everlasting light
   the hopes and fears of all the years
   are met in thee tonight.
   
   
2. O morning stars, together
   proclaim the holy birth,
   and praises sing to God the King,
   and peace to men on earth;
   for Christ is born of Mary;
   and, gathered all above, while mortals
   sleep, the angels keep
   their watch of wondering love.
   
   
3. Third verse sing by The Chapel Choir of Leeds Trinity University
   
   
4. O holy Child of Bethlehem,
   descend to us, we pray;
   cast out our sin, and enter in:
   be born in us today.
   We hear the Christmas angels
   the great glad tidings tell:
   O come to us, abide with us,
   our Lord Emmanuel.

Phillips Brooks (1835-93)

Luke 2: 8-18

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths 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, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over 

to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the

shepherds told them.

Choir & Congregation

1. First verse by The Chapel Choir of Leeds Trinity University
   
   
2. ‘Fear not,’ said he (for mighty dread
   had seized their troubled mind);
   ‘Glad tidings of great joy I bring
   To you and all mankind.’
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. The heavenly Babe you there shall find
   to human view displayed.
   All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
   and in a manger laid.’
   
   
5. Thus spake the seraph; and forthwith
   appeared a shining throng
   of angels praising God,
   who thus addressed their joyful song.
   
   
6. ‘All glory be to God on high,
   and on the earth be peace.
   Good-will henceforth from heaven to men
   begin and never cease.’

Nahum Tate (1652-1715)

Choir & Congregation

1. First verse sung by Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School
2. 
   

Oh tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,

Oh tidings of comfort and joy.

1. 
   
2. From God our Heavenly Father,
   A blessed Angel came;
   And unto certain Shepherds
   Brought tidings of the same;
   How that in Bethlehem was born
   The Son of God by name;
   
   
3. The shepherds at those tidings
   Rejoiced much in mind,
   And left their flocks a-feeding,
   In tempest, storm and wind;
   And went to Bethlehem straightway,
   The Son of God to find.
   
   
4. Now to the Lord sing praises,
   All you within this place,
   And with true love and brotherhood
   Each other now embrace;
   This holy tide of Christmas
   All other doth deface.

Matthew 2: 1-12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from 

the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:.

“And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.”

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.’ After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Mount St Mary's Catholic High School

Choir & Congregation

1. First verse by Mount St Mary's Catholic High School
   
   
2. Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns!
   Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
   Repeat the sounding joy,
   repeat the sounding joy,
   Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
   
   
3. No more let sins and sorrows grow,
   Nor thorns infest the ground;
   He comes to make His blessings flow
   Far as the curse is found,
   far as the curse is found,
   Far as, far as the curse is found.
   
   
4. He rules the world with truth and grace,
   And makes the nations prove
   The glories of His righteousness,
   And wonders of His love,
   and wonders of His love,
   And wonders, wonders of His love.
5. 
   

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

based on Psalm 98

Please stand

Closing Prayer

Fr Marc Homsey, Priest Chaplain, Leeds Trinity University

Choir & Congregation

1. 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 the angelic host proclaim:
   ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’.
2. 
   

Hark! the herald Angels sing

Glory to the new-born King.

1. 
   
2. 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 man with man to dwell,
   Jesus, our Emmanuel:
   
   
3. 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:

Charles Wesley (1707-88)

 With sincere thanks to our choirs: 

The Chapel Choir of Leeds Trinity University
Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School.

We also thank Fr Marc Homsey, Fr Marc Pitson, our readers, Aramark catering, and Leeds Trinity 

University Media Services for all they have done to support this service.

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The English translation of the Lectionary for Mass © 2023 Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England 

and Wales and Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.

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