Service of Nine Lessons and Carols | Sunday 19 December 2021

A warm welcome to our Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, recorded live on Sunday, 19 December 2021 in Grimsby Minster, and sung by members of the Minster Choir and Minster Singers. The Choir was at the West End of the building, standing beneath the Walker organ, to avoid the need to process and sing during the Covid pandemic and following rules and guidance in place at the time. The order of service was: Hodie Christus Natus est - Plainsong Once in royal David’s city (Irby, arranged by Patrick Larley and Steven Maxson); Solo Treble Eve Woods Welcome and Bidding Ding! Dong! Merrily on high - Traditional French, arranged by Mack Wilberg and Peter Stevens The First Lesson - Genesis 3, 8-15 | God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head Adam Lay YBounden - Sir Philip Ledger | God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall the nations of the earth be blessed The Second Lesson - Genesis 22, 15-18 It came upon a midnight clear (arranged by Sir David Willcocks) The Third Lesson - Isaiah 9, 2, 6-7 | Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah O little town of Bethlehem (Forest Green, descant by Sir Thomas Armstrong) The Fourth Lesson - Isaiah 11, 1-9 | The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown A tender shoot - Otto Goldschmidt The Fifth Lesson - Luke 1, 26-33 | The Angel Gabrieli salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary Hymn to the Virgin - Benjamin Britten The Sixth Lesson - Luke 2, 1-7 | Saint Luke tells of the birth of Jesus Away in a manger (Cradle Song, arranged by Sir David Willcocks) The Seventh Lesson - Luke 2, 8-16 | The shepherds go to the manger Tomorrow shall be my dancing day - John Gardner The Eighth Lesson - Matthew 2, 1-11 | The wise men are led by the star to Jesus The Three Kings - Peter Cornelius; soloist Charlie Maxson Joys Seven - English Traditional, arranged by Sir Stephen Cleobury The Ninth Lesson - John 1, 1-14 | St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation O come, all ye faithful (Adeste Fideles, arranged by Sir David Willcocks) Collect for Christmas Eve Blessing Hark! The herald angels sing (Mendelssohn, arranged by Sir David Willcocks) Postude on “Mendelssohn” - Sir David Willcocks Our work has expanded during the pandemic at the same time as our finances have been hard hit. If our online worshippers and visitors were able to contribute, we would be in a stronger position to continue our work into the future. If you can help us, please visit https://www.grimsbyminster.com/donate... Alternatively, text CHOIR to 70460 to donate £5 by text. Texts cost £5 + the cost of one standard text. #ServicesAtSunset