A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Attended by members of the Diplomatic Service and the United Nations

Sunday, December 17, 2023
The Third Sunday Of Advent (Gaudete)
O Sapientia — “O Wisdom”

The Third Sunday Of Advent (Gaudete)

Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

The 5th Avenue doors will close at 12:30 p.m. as our Choir of Men and Boys present Christmas Carols on the historic steps of Saint Thomas Church. Visitors can still access the church via our 53rd street doors just around the northwest corner of the church. The 5th Avenue doors will reopen at roughly 1 p.m.
4:00 p.m. | High Altar
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OfficiantThe Rector
Sung byThe Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys

Prelude

Fantasia: The Christmas LightSimon Preston (1938-2022)
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich herGeorg Böhm (1661-1733)
Adeste fidelesJeanne Demessieux (1921-1968)
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen, from ‘Eleven Chorale Preludes’, Op. 122, no. 8Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Order of Service
Hymn102 – Once in royal David’s city – IRBY
CarolThis joy, from ‘Three Christmas Songs’, by Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)
The First LessonGenesis 3:8-15, 17-19
God tells sinful Adam that he has lost the life of Paradise and that his seed will bruise the serpent’s head.
Read by a Chorister
CarolAdam lay ybounden, by Richard Webster (b. 1952)
The Second LessonGenesis 22:15-18
God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Read by Hannah Young, Deputy Consul-General, British Consulate General, New York
Hymn78 – O little town of Bethlehem – FOREST GREEN
The Third LessonIsaiah 9:2, 6-7
The prophet foretells the coming of the Savior.
Read by a Lector of the Parish
CarolNovo profusi gaudio, by Matthew Martin (b. 1976)
The Fourth LessonIsaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9
The Peace that Christ will bring is foreshown.
Read by Mungo Woodfield, Director, Communications and Strategy Spokesperson for the U. K. Mission to the United Nations
CarolWelcome all wonders, Jay Wilcox (b. 1954)
The Fifth LessonLuke 1:26-35, 38
The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Read by the Head of the Choir School
CarolThe Angel Gabriel, by Philip Moore (b. 1943)
The Sixth LessonLuke 12:1-7
Saint Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
Read by the Organist and Director of Music
Hymn96 – Angels we have heard on high – GLORIA
The Seventh LessonLuke 2:8-16
The shepherds go to the manger.
Read by a Member of the Vestry
Carol
The Eighth LessonMatthew 2:1-12
The Wise Men are led by the star to Jesus.
Read by a Young Member of the Parish
CarolSans Day carol -- arr. John Rutter (b. 1945)
The Ninth LessonJohn 1:1-14
Saint John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.
Read by the Rector
CarolEarth, strike up your music, by Jessica French (b. 1984)
HymnsO come, all ye faithful – ADESTE FIDELES — Anonymous (Traditional)
87 – Hark! the herald angels sing – MENDELSSOHN
Voluntary‘Dieu Parmi Nous’ from La Nativité du Seigneur, by Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)

Resources

Leaflet
Concerts at Saint Thomas 2023-2024 Brochure
Saint Thomas Church Self-Guided Tour