Sunday, December 17, 2017

Virtually Nine Lessons

By way of an experiment, I have put together a version of the Office of Nine Lessons and Carols. Since the Provisional Mission of St Anselm and St Odile is really in a process of formation, I thought it might be nice to share with my readers something of the late Advent, pre-Christmas season in the hope that we may all feel uplifted for the Feast of the Nativity. Perhaps you will join me in praying and enjoying music written for the glorification of God and for the gladdening of men's hearts.

Essentially, this consists of some YouTube links to carols and music interspersed with the Nine Lessons as read by yours truly. Yes, there will be mistakes and blips on my part, for which I crave your and God's forgiveness. I hope they do not detract from an approximation to an experience of which I was once blessed to be part. The readings will only be available for the next 88 days, but the moment by then will surely have passed!

Please do click on the links in sequence to get the full intended affect. You might also like to listen by candlelight as well and, if you like, sing along with the carols. If you do find this in any way complementary to your experience of the season, please have a mince pie and a cup of mulled wine on my behalf after the benediction.

Hope this works!

Organ Prelude: Noel cette Journée - Jean-François Dandrieu.


Carol: Once in Royal David's City (605 in The English Hymnal)


Introduction and opening prayers.

The First Lesson

Adam Lay Ybounden - music by Boris Ord



The Second Lesson

Carol: Wake, O Wake! With tidings thrilling (12 in The English Hymnal)



The Third Lesson

The People that walked in Darkness from Handel's Messiah



The Fourth Lesson

Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem (15 in the English Hymnal)



The Fifth Lesson

I sing of a Maiden that is makeless - music by Patrick Hadley



In the Bleak Midwinter -  music by Harold Darke


The Sixth Lesson

This is the Truth sent from above - music by Ralph Vaughan Williams



The Seventh Lesson

Carol: A Great and Mighty Wonder (19 in the English Hymnal)




The Eighth Lesson

There shall a star from Jacob come forth - music by Felix Mendelssohn



The Ninth Lesson

In Dulci Jubilo - music by Robert Pearsall



Carol: Lo He comes with clouds descending (7 in the English Hymnal)



Collect and Benediction

Carol: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8 in the English Hymnal)



Postlude: Toccata on Mendelssohn by David Wilcocks



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