Voluntary    The peace may be exchanged, from Rubrics    Dan Locklair (b. 1949)

The inspiration for Dan Locklair’s five-movement suite,  Rubrics, was the italicized rubrics (instructions) found within the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Finding power within these simple notes, Dan brings them to life in music. The peace may be exchanged is a beautiful, lyric peace-prayer, using the warm string and diapason sounds of the organ. 

Processional Hymn 119     As with gladness men of old    Dix

Gloria S280     Robert Powell (b.1932)

Sequence Hymn 112    In the bleak midwinter    Cranham

Offertory Music    The three kings    Healy Willan (1880-1968)
Text: Laurence Housman (1865-1959)

“Who knocks tonight so late?”
the weary porter said.
Three kings stood at the gate,
each with a crown on his head.

The serving man bowed down,
the Inn was full, he knew.
Said he, “In all this town
is no fit place for you.”

A light in the manger lit;
there lay the Mother meek.
This place is fit.
Here is the rest we seek.

Come, come. They loosed their latchet strings,
so stood they all unshod
“Come in, come in, ye kings,
and kiss the feet of God.”

James Healey Willan was an Anglo-Canadian organist and composer. He composed more than 800 works including operas, symphonies, chamber music, a concerto, and pieces for band, orchestra, organ, and piano. He is best known for his church music. The Three Kings is typical of Canadian Anglican composer Healey Willan’s straightforward, modal, lyrical style. For the first half of the anthem, a three-part men’s chorus – symbolically the three kings – is in dialogue with a three-part women’s chorus, representing the holy manger scene. 

Sanctus  S130    Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Fraction anthem S164    Jesus, lamb of God     Franz Schubert

Communion Anthem    Who would think that what was needed    Scarlet ribbons

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 by-passed 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 humour fray,
God surprises earth with heaven
Coming here on Christmas Day.

Communion Hymn    Shall we gather at the river    At the River

Hymn in Procession 616    Hail to the Lord’s Anointed    Es flog ein keins Waldvogelein

Voluntary    Fantasia in G minor, BWV542a    Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)