Festival of Lessons and Carols: Program Notes (Dec. 12, 2021)
Festival of Lessons and Carols
First Presbyterian Church, Clarksville, TN
December 12, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.
Program Notes
by Hannah Cruse, Music Director & Accompanist
First, a brief history lesson. The original Festival of Lessons and Carols was intended to tell the story of salvation--"the development of the loving purposes of God...seen ‘through the windows and words of the Bible.'" Ex-army chaplain turned Dean of King's College, Eric Milner-White, devised this special service in 1918 with the musical aid of organist, Arthur Henry Mann. Milner-White felt the collective need for more imaginative worship as Britain healed from the First World War. [Source]
King's has broadcast their service annually since 1928 (with the exception of 1930)--"even during the Second World War, when the ancient glass (and also all heat) had been removed from the Chapel and the name of King’s could not be broadcast for security reasons." [Source] The tradition has spread all over the world. You will find versions of a "Festival of Lessons and Carols" done by large and small congregations from a variety of denominations. Some churches emulate King's traditional service while others reimagine the concept.
Since 1918, King's Festival of Lessons and Carols service has changed very little. After each of the nine, short Scripture passages are read by lay people, the choir and congregation respond by singing a carol or anthem. FPC has structured our service the very same way. However, because we occupy our own unique place and time in the world, we have substituted in a few alternate lessons.
We have all, in our different ways, experienced heartache over the past two years in the midst of a world-wide pandemic. The holidays, when we are often expected to keep high spirits, can be emotionally challenging. Now especially, we seek God's strength. FPC hopes that our Festival of Lessons and Carols service helps us heal--here in Clarksville 2021--by painting the salvation story imaginatively.
Through Scripture and song, our service of Lessons and Carols this year aims to reassure us of God's eternal promises and Christ's saving grace. Listen to each Scripture reading for evidence of God's love and steadfastness. We begin in the Old Testament, where God makes a covenant with His people (Genesis 17:1-8). Nine readings in total build up to a final New Testament reading, where God establishes a new covenant by sending a Savior, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-14). God's deep-rooted love for us has evolved through time but never diminished. Scripture shows us that, in times of trouble, people have questioned God yet kept faith despite those questions. By trusting in God's promises, we witness astounding beauty out of supposed ruin.
Comfort those who sit in darkness
mourning under sorrow's load...
For the glory of the Lord
now on earth is shed abroad,
and all flesh shall see the token
that God's word is never broken.
In Genesis 17:1-8, God makes a covenant with His people--a promise to multiply offspring, give them land, and "be their God." This lesson replaces the traditional one about Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:8-15). The ancient, 5th-century hymn "Of the Father's Love Begotten" reminds us of God's imagination, beauty, and power since the beginning of time:
By his Word was all created;
He commanded; it was done:
heaven and earth and depths of ocean,
universe of three in one,
all that sees the moon's soft shining,
all that breathes beneath the sun,
evermore and evermore!
Instead of Genesis 22:15-18, where an angel tells Abraham that his offspring will be blessed because he has obeyed the Lord, we will next hear Exodus 14:10-14; 21-31. God’s people, terrorized by the Egyptians for decades, question the covenant but are encouraged by Moses to keep faith. We sing "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" as a response. Like the Israelites, in times of fear and frustration, we cry out for a savior, praying:
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us;
let us find our rest in thee.
Traditionally, portions of Isaiah 9 and 11 are read next. Before we get to those, we will hear Jeremiah 31:27-34. Like Isaiah, Jeremiah was a prophet. Here he prophecies a time when God will make a new covenant with His people. "No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest." Imagine how wild, controversial, and exciting this would have sounded to the Israelites. Reflect on this as the choir sings "Prepare!" by Allen Pote.
Prepare the way of the Lord.
For God has chosen to come to earth,
joining the human race.
Born a child in holy birth,
taking a human face.
His name shall be Emmanuel,
the baby born in the night.
God will be revealed in us.
Piercing the darkness with light.
Now we will hear two prophecies: Isaiah 9:1-7 (a light will come to guide those in distress) and Isaiah 11:1-9 (God will send a man of righteousness to turn the world upside down). Hear the choir and cellist perform Ruth Elaine Schram's gorgeous anthem, “We Wait," which incorporates portions of "We Three Kings."
In the flame of a flickering candle,
we see a hint of the starry light
that led the shepherds and kings to the Tiny Child.
We wait, we wait.
In the flame of the flickering candle,
we see the promise of hope and joy;
the promise of peace, the promise of love in a Baby Boy.
We wait, we wait.
Advent candle burning bright,
gently reflecting heaven's light,
lead us to the Prince of Peace;
O guide us to the Perfect Light.
We long to bow before our Savior;
we long to hear His precious voice;
we long to worship the King of kings
and at His appearance rejoice!
We wait, we wait.
Join in singing "My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout" (otherwise known as "Canticle of the Turning"). In 1990, Rory Cooney adapted this text from the Magnificat--Mary's song of praise--for this Irish melody. If you're curious to hear the secular Irish song, called "Star of the County Down," check out the video below. We will attempt to replicate the folk/bluegrass feel in our rendition. The text explores what Christ's coming might mean for us. What would the world look like turned upside down?
Let the king beware for your justice tears
every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread; every mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.
In Luke 1:26-38, we learn that Mary is troubled by the news from an angel that she will bear the Son of God--yet she keeps faith. Mary's faithfulness and tenderness is perfectly expressed in the carol “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.”
Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
the rose I have in mind;
with Mary we behold it,
the virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
she bore for us a Savior,
when half spent was the night.
Joseph struggles with the news of Mary’s pregnancy in Matthew 1:18-25. He actually plans to "dismiss" Mary quietly, "unwilling to expose her to public disgrace," until an angel of the Lord convinces him in a dream to keep faith. The Latin chant "Veni redemptor gentium"--turned into a Reformed German hymn by Martin Luther in 1523 and translated into English in 1850--aptly expresses our collective shock at the manner of Christ's coming. Hear the choir sing my anthem arrangement with saxophone.
Savior of the nations, come.
Virgin's Son, make here Thy home.
Marvel now, O heav'n and earth,
that the Lord chose such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood,
but the Spirit of our God,
was the Word of God made flesh,
woman's offspring pure and fresh.
Wondrous birth, O wondrous Child
of the Virgin undefiled.
Though by all the world disowned,
still to be in heav'n enthroned.
From the Father forth He came
and returneth to the same,
captive leading death and hell.
High the song of triumph swell.
Thou the Father's only Son,
hast o'er sin the vict'ry won.
Boundless shall Thy kingdom be;
when shall we its glories see?
We pass over Luke 2:8-16 (where an angel appears to the shepherds) in favor of Matthew 2:1-12. In this passage, three wise men voluntarily disobey King Herod's orders in order to protect the Christ-child. "Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the wise men] left for their own country by another road." We owe our thanks to these men for their bravery, prudence, and faithfulness. The choir sings "Who Would Think that What Was Needed" by John L. Bell in response.
Who would think that what was needed
to transform and save the earth
might not be a plan or army,
proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think, despite derision,
that a child should lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven,
coming here on Christmas Day.
Shepherds watch and wise men wonder;
monarchs scorn and angels sing;
such a place as none would reckon
hosts a holy helpless thing.
Stable beasts and bypassed strangers
watch a baby laid in hay;
God surprises earth with heaven,
coming here on Christmas Day.
Centuries of skill and science
span the past from which we move,
yet experience questions whether,
with such progress, we improve.
While the human lot we ponder,
lest our hopes and humor fray,
God surprises earth with heaven,
coming here on Christmas Day.
We have finally arrived at our ninth and final lesson, John 1:1-14. John goes back to the beginning, when not one thing came into being without God. By sending Christ to earth, God has given us all the opportunity to become His children. We have received the free gift of life, a light that shines through the darkness.
Let our gladness have no end, Hallelujah!
Unto earth did Christ descend, Hallelujah!
On this day God gave us
Christ his Son to save us.
See the loveliest blooming rose, Hallelujah!
From the branch of Jesse grows, Hallelujah!
On this day God gave us
Christ his Son to save us.
Into flesh is made the Word, Hallelujah!
'Tis our refuge, Christ the Lord, Hallelujah!
On this day God gave us
Christ his Son to save us.
The closing hymn, "Blest Be the God of Israel" by Michael Perry and Hal Hopson, epitomizes the theme of our service today. This 20th-century paraphrase of the Song of Zechariah affirms that God's work is ongoing in the world. God has kept His promises throughout all of history. He has listened to our cries and given us a light to dispel all darkness. He will guide our feet and hold us fast.
The prophets spoke of mercy,
of freedom and release;
God shall fulfill that promise
and bring the people peace.
We sincerely hope that you find rest here in our sanctuary today as we hear the story of God's presence in our lives and express our woes and thanksgivings in supportive company. God is listening. God is with us. Love has come. Now "bless our God and Savior with songs that never cease!"
Many thanks to our volunteer choir members, bell ringers, liturgists, staff, and guest artists. We are indebted to their generosity and in awe of their bountiful God-given gifts!
Peace,
Hannah Cruse
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