Nine Lessons and Carols, Part VIII: The Seventh Reading

The shepherds go to the manger.

LUKE 2:8-20 (ESV):

8 And in the same region
there were shepherds out in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were filled with fear.

10 And the angel said to them,
“Fear not, for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.

11 For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord.

12 And this will be a sign for you:
you will find a baby
wrapped in swaddling cloths
and lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace
among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away
from them into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go over to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has happened,
which the Lord has made known to us.”

16 And they went with haste
and found Mary and Joseph,
and the baby lying in a manger.

17 And when they saw it,
they made known the saying
that had been told them
concerning this child.

18 And all who heard it
wondered at what the shepherds told them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things,
pondering them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
as it had been told them.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

~~~~~


Carl Schalk, "Before the Marvel of this Night"

~~~~~


"Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav’nly 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 sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

~~~~~



On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring;
On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring:
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King’s birth.

Then why should men on earth be sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad:
Then why should we on earth be sad,
Since our Redeemer made us glad:
When from our sin He set us free,
All for to gain our liberty.

When sin departs before Your grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
When sin departs before Your grace,
Then life and health come in its place;
Angels and men with joy may sing,
All for to see the newborn King.

All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night;
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night:
"Glory to God and peace to men,
Now and forevermore. Amen."