The Chapel of St Peter and St Paulat the Old Royal Naval College

Service of Lessonsand Carols

The Adoration of the Shepherds by Giorgione c1505

DECEMBER 2020“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and his name shall be called Emmanuel”

Welcome to the Chapel Carol Service

The service of Lessons with Carols was first drawn up by Archbishop Edward White Benson when Bishop of Truro for use in that Cathedral, the first such service being held on Christmas Eve 1880. It was later simplified and modified for use in King’s College

Chapel, Cambridge, in 1918 by its then Dean, Eric Milner White

The charity we are supporting this year is the King’s College Hospital TLC (Transforming Liver Care) Appeal. King’s Paediatric Liver Centre is a national hub carrying out pioneering research and providing a highly-specialised service to children with life-

threatening liver problems. It is the largest comprehensive service of its kind in the world. Every week 20 children receive the life changing diagnosis that they have liver disease, more children

than are diagnosed with leukaemia.  King’s treats 3,000 young patients from all over the UK and the Centre has the best long-term survival rate in the UK, but we want these children to not

only survive, but thrive into adulthood.The TLC Appeal will transform liver care for children and young people. We need to raise £1.5 million to advance research, buy

cutting-edge equipment, rejuvenate the environment in the hospital and provide vital support networks for children and

families.

To support the King’s TLC Appeal please use this link: https://supportkings.org.uk/tlc

Donations can also be made via the ORNC Chapel Fund by sending a cheque addressed to The Treasurer of the Chapel Fund

c/o The Greenwich Foundation, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, London SE10 9LW.

Any donation via the Chapel Fund will be shared equally with the charity and the chapel as is our usual practice.

Organ Voluntary before the service Prelude in C major BWV 545 J.S. Bach (1685–1750)

ORDER OF SERVICE

The Chaplain welcomes the congregation

Introit

A spotless Rose is blowing,Sprung from a tender root,Of ancient seers' foreshowing,Of Jesse promised fruit;Its fairest bud unfolds to lightAmid the cold, cold winter,and in the dark mid-night.

The Rose which I am singing,Whereof Isaiah said,Is from its sweet root springingIn Mary, purest Maid;For through our God's great love and mightThe Blessed Babe she bare usIn a cold, cold winter's night.

Words: 14th Century Traditional Music: H Howells (1892-1983)

CarolOnce in royal David’s cityStood a lowly cattle shed,Where a mother laid her baby,In a manger for his bed:Mary was that Mother mild,Jesus Christ her little Child.

He came down to earth from heavenWho is God and Lord of all,And his shelter was a stable,And his cradle was a stall:With the poor and mean and lowly,Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And through all his wondrous childhoodDay by day like us he grew;He was little, weak, and helpless,Tears and smiles, like us he knew:And he feeleth for our sadness,And he shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see himThrough his own redeeming love,For that Child so dear and gentle,Is our Lord in heaven above:And he leads his children on,To the place where he is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,With the oxen standing by,We shall see him: but in heaven,Set at God’s right hand on high,Where like stars his children crowned,All in white shall wait around.

Words: MRS C. F. ALEXANDER (1818-95) Tune: IRBY arr. H. J. GAUNTLET (1805-76)

Bidding Prayer The Revd Patricia Mann, Chaplain

Beloved in Christ, be it this Christmastide our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to 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 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 city of London, and this Diocese of Southwark.

And because this of all things 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 for ever one.

These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself hath taught us:

The Lord’s Prayer

All Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth

as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson Read by Matthew Mees

The prophet foretells the coming of the Saviour ISAIAH 9

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Thanks be to God

Carol

In the bleak midwinterFrosty wind made moan,Earth stood hard as iron,Water like a stone;Snow had fallen,Snow on snow,In the bleak mid-winter,Long ago.

Enough for him, whom cherubimWorship night and day,A breastful of milk,And a manger full of hay;Enough for him, whom angelsFall down before,The ox and ass and camelWhich adore.

Our God, heaven cannot hold himNor earth sustain;Heaven and earth shall flee awayWhen he comes to reign:In the bleak mid-winterA stable-place sufficedThe Lord God AlmightyJesus Christ.

What can I give him,Poor as I am?If I were a shepherdI would bring a lamb;If I were a wise manI would do my part;Yet what I can I give him:Give my heart.

Words: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) Music: Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Second Lesson Read by Eric Shawyer

The Lord will judge the cause of the poor JEREMIAH 22 and 23 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Thanks be to GodCarol

Good King Wenceslas looked outOn the Feast of StephenWhen the snow lay 'round aboutDeep and crisp and evenBrightly shone the moon that nightThough the frost was cruelWhen a poor man came in sightGath'ring winter fuel

"Hither, page, and stand by meIf thou know'st it, tellingYonder peasant, who is he?Where and what his dwelling?""Sire, he lives a good league, henceUnderneath the mountainRight against the forest fenceBy Saint Agnes' fountain"

"Bring me mead and bring me wineBring me pine logs hitherThou and I will see him dineWhen we bear him thither"

Page and monarch forth they wentForth they went togetherThrough the rude wind's wild lamentAnd the bitter weather

"Sire, the night is darker nowAnd the wind blows strongerFails my heart, I know not howI can go no longer""Mark my footsteps, my good pageTread thou in them boldlyThou shalt find the winter's rageFreeze thy blood less coldly"

In his master's steps he trodWhere the snow lay dintedHeat was in the very sodWhich the Saint had printedTherefore, Christian men, be sureWealth or rank possessingYe who now will bless the poorShall yourselves find blessing

Words: Traditional Music: Piae Cantiones (1582)

Third Lesson Read by James Hitchcock

The glory of Bethlehem is foretold MICAH 5

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Thanks be to God

Carol

Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!Alles schläft; einsam wachtNur das traute hochheilige Paar.Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!Silent night, holy night,Shepherds quake at the sight;Glories stream from heaven afar,Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night,Son of God, love’s pure light;Radiant beams from Thy holy faceWith the dawn of redeeming grace,Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy nightWondrous star, lend thy light;With the angels let us sing,Alleluia to our King;Christ the Saviour is born!

Words: Joseph Mohr (1792-1848) Music: Franz Xaver Gruber (1787-1863)

Fourth Lesson Read by Nicolas Bevan

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad ISAIAH 35

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Thanks be to God

Carol

Ding, dong! Merrily on highIn heav'n the bells are ringingDing, dong! Verily the skyIs riv'n with angel singingGloria, Hosanna in excelsis.

E'en so here below, belowLet steeple bells be swungenAnd i-o, i-o, i-oBy priest and people sungenGloria, Hosanna in excelsis.

Pray ye dutifully primeYour matin chime, ye ringersMay ye beautifully rimeYour evetime song, ye singersGloria, Hosanna in excelsis.

Words: Traditional Music: 16thC French

Fifth Lesson Read by Marjorie Ouvry

The angel Gabriel salutes the virgin Mary LUKE 1

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Thanks be to God Hymn to the Virgin

Of one that is so fair and bright,Velut maris stella,Brighter than the day is light,Parens et puella,I cry to thee, thou see to me,Lady, pray thy Son for me,Tam pia,That I may come to thee,

Maria.All this world was forlorn,Eva peccatrice,Till our Lord was y-bornDe te genitrice,with ave it went away,Darkest night, and comes the daySalutis:The well springeth out of theeVirtutis.Lady, flow'r of everything,Rosa sine spina,Thou bare Jesu, heaven's king,Gratia divina.Of all thou bear'st the prize,Lady, queen of paradise;Electa,Maid mild, mother esEffecta.

Words: Anon. Music: Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Sixth Lesson Read by Christine Bevan

St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus LUKE 2

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Thanks be to God

Carol

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the skyAnd stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stayClose by me forever, and love me, I pray;Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.

Words: Anon. Music: David Willcocks (1919-2015)

Seventh Lesson Read by Leslie Howard

The shepherds go to the manger LUKE 2

There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto

you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Thanks be to God

Carol

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go byYet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting lightThe hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

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 wond’ring love.

How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv'n!So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heav'n.No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin,Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

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.

Words: Phillips Brooks (1835-1893)Music: FOREST GREEN arr R Vaughan Williams

(1872-1958)

Eighth Lesson Read by Jonathan Ouvry

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus MATTHEW 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.’

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judaea’: for thus it is written by the prophet, ‘And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.’

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, ‘Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.’

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Thanks be to God

Carol

O COME, all ye faithful,Joyful and triumphant,O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;Come and behold him born, the King of angels:

O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

God of God,Light of Light,Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;Very God, Begotten not created:

O come, let us adore him…

See how the Shepherds,Summoned to his cradle,Leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps:

O come, let us adore him…

Lo! star-led chieftains,Magi, Christ adoring,Offer him incense, gold, and myrrh;We to the Christ Child bring our heart’s oblations:

O come, let us adore him…

Child, for us sinnersPoor and in the manger,Fain we embrace thee, with awe and love;Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?

O come, let us adore him…

Sing, choirs of Angels,Sing in exultation,Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above:‘Glory to God in the Highest’:

O come, let us adore him…

Words: LATIN 18th CENTURY Tune: ADESTE FIDELES

Ninth Lesson The Christmas Gospel

The Revd Faith Wakeling, Assistant Chaplain

St John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation JOHN 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of

men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Thanks be to God

Collects The Chaplain

Almighty God,give us grace that we may cast away the works of darknessand put upon us the armour of light,now in the time of this mortal life,in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great

humility;that in the last daywhen he shall come again in his glorious majestyto judge both the quick and the dead,we may rise to the life immortal;

through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit,

now and for ever.All Amen.

Almighty God,who hast given us thy only-begotten Sonto take our nature upon himand as at this time to be born of a pure virgin:grant that we, being regenerateand made thy children by adoption and grace,may daily be renewed by thy Holy Spirit;through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Spirit,now and for ever.

All Amen.

Blessing

Christ, who by his incarnation gathered into oneall things in heaven and on earth,fill you with his joy and peace;and the blessing of God almighty,the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,be among you and remain with you always.

All Amen.

Carol

Hark! the herald angels singGlory 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.Hark! The herald angels singGlory to the new-born King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,Christ, the everlasting Lord,Late in time behold him comeOffspring 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.Hark! The herald angels singGlory to the new-born King.

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all he brings,Ris’n 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.Hark! The herald angels singGlory to the new-born King.

Words: CHARLES WESLEY (1707-88) Tune: FELIX MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) arr. SIR DAVID WILLCOCKS (1919-2015) Organ Voluntary

Prelude in C major BWV 547 J.S. Bach (1685–1750)

The Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Chapel ChoirDirector of Music: Dr. Ralph Allwood MBE

Organist: Jonathan Eyre

 The Chapel at the Old Royal Naval College

This glorious Chapel was built by Thomas Ripley to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren and was the last major part of the Royal Hospital for Seamen to be constructed. Following a disastrous fire in 1779, it was redecorated by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart in the Greek revival style, and today is a wonderful example of a complete neoclassical interior.

Open daily, the Chapel is a place of worship, as it has been for over two hundred years, as well as a dynamic concert venue. You are warmly invited to join our congregation at regular services held throughout the week – Choral Eucharist on Sundays at 11:00, Choral Evensong on Mondays in term time at 17:30, and Holy Communion on Wednesdays at 13:05. We are a welcoming, inclusive and all-age congregation, forming part of the Diocese of Southwark within the Church of England, and offering a crèche facility for families with small children during the main service on Sunday. Our world-class choir sings at our Sunday and Monday services, complementing thoughtful teaching and beautiful liturgy

in the setting of some of the world’s most magnificent architecture.

The excellent acoustics of the curved ceiling also mean the Chapel is often used for concerts and recitals by our site partner Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, including their regular Tuesday and Friday lunchtime recital series.The Old Royal Naval College is in the care of the Greenwich Foundation, a charity, whose aim is to conserve and care for the buildings for current and future generations to enjoy.

CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY SERVICES

Sunday 20 December The Fourth Sunday of Advent11am Eucharist (with lighting of the Advent Wreath)

Thursday 24 December Christmas Eve11.00pm Midnight Mass (at St Alfege Church, Greenwich)Ticketed. For more information go to https://www.st-alfege.org.uk/Articles/532617/Christmas_services_2020.aspx

Friday 25 December Christmas Day11am Eucharist with the Blessing of the CribTicketed. Booking opens 15 December: ornc.org/book-christmas-dayA service will also be broadcast on the ORNC FaceBook and YouTube: ornc.org/christmas-day-service

Sunday 27 December The First Sunday of Christmas

11am Said Eucharist

Sunday 3 January Epiphany11am Choral Eucharist

If you would like to know more about the life of the Chapel, please contact the Chaplain, the Revd Pat Mann, at pmann@ornc.org

07814 704 704

For full details of services and events visitwww.ornc.org/events/chapel-services

Our Sunday services are also live streamed on the Old Royal Naval College FaceBook and YouTube and can also be found on

the Chapel page of the website.