As I listen to a live broadcast of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from the chapel of King's College, Cambridge, England, on the live stream from WXXI-FM Classical 91.5, Rochester, New York, Michael Barone, the host of Pipe Dreams, has just reported that in England, the congregation of hundreds from all around the world are departing the historic chapel into," a dark and chilly evening". Christmas, in England, has officially begun.
It is a misnomer to call the structure a chapel, for it is a magnificent Gothic Cathedral in every sense of the word. The Harris & Harris pipe organ produces sounds only heard by great organs in great cathedrals. It is the reason that I love English choral music in general and at this time of year. Especially, to the songs of English composer, John Rudder.
This is my 28th year of listening to the annual live broadcast program that began in 1928. Although, the service began in 1918 and was only suspended for one year, 1930. It was broadcast all during WW II though the beautiful stain glass, and heat was removed from the chapel. It is my Christmas gift to myself. I do not have a Christmas tree, nor do I celebrate with presents and the trappings of a society that we have become. Some traditions are exceedingly strong and radiate from the heart. Christmas is that to me and in true English tradition, this program in slightly less than 90-minutes, captures that joy; that wholeness;that happiness and that fulfillment of completeness, from year-to-year.
The Bidding Prayer as printed in the Program, Order of Service, Christmas Eve, 2013, King's College Cambridge, England that is linked below.
Be it this Christmas Eve our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the angels; 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.
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; and let us make this Chapel, dedicated to Mary, his most blessèd Mother, glad with our carols of praise:
But first let us pray for the needs of his whole world; for peace and goodwill over all the earth; for unity and brotherhood within the Church he came to build, and especially in the dominions of our sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth, within this University and City of Cambridge, and in the two royal and religious Foundations of King Henry VI here and at Eton:
And because this of all things would rejoice his heart, let us at this time remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick in body and in mind and them that mourn; the lonely and the unloved; the aged and the little children; all 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 mul- titude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in this Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.
These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself hath taught us:
Our Father …
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 for- give them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.
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.
All Amen.
Here is the link for the program this Christmas Eve,2013.
http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services/nine-lessons.html
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