Good evening and welcome to 10th Presbyterian Church and to this service of lessons and carols. My name is Johnny Gibson. I serve as one of the ministers here at 10th If this is your first time at 10th Presbyterian, then we're glad you've come. You're very welcome. Since you may be slightly unfamiliar with our building, let me just point out where the restrooms are, should you need them during the service. There are restrooms through these doors here, and follow the signs, or back in the narthex, just go down the stairs on either side, and you will find some restrooms there. Inside your bulletins or this evening as you came in, hopefully you will have received a Jesus Explored card. If not, there will be some on the way out as you leave. This is a course that we're running as a church for four Monday evenings in January. It's gonna be held in our Spruce Street building adjacent to this one, 1710 Spruce Street. It's a chance to explore who Jesus is, why he came and what it means to follow him. If you're interested in that course then scan the QR code and you can find more details there. If you're not able to make the course but you would like to know more about Christianity and who Jesus is and what Christmas is all about, there is a free copy of this book the ultimate Christmas wishlist. Again, it's on either side of the entrances or on the way out. Feel free to take a copy for yourself. This year, our Lessons and Carols service is entitled The King of Glory. It has choral elements and also congregational involvement. Your worship bulletin that you should have received on the way in will indicate when you sit, stand, or sing. And if you get a little bit confused, just look at me, who hopefully will not be confused. and I will give gestures or my posture to indicate what it is we should be doing. Since this service is a service of worship, we would ask for you not to applaud any of the items that the choir performs. But at the end of the service, after the postlude, there will be an opportunity for us to express our thanks to the Reverend Colin Howland, who is our music director, and to the choir and the musicians. I believe many of you brought a special friend with you this evening called Siri. We're glad she's come. We hope she enjoys it. But we would ask that you silence her and any other friends who may try to contact you during the service. So please, could you put your mobile phones on silent mode? And now let us prepare our minds and hearts for this lessons and carols service, the King of Glory. During the prelude, you may wish to meditate on some of the words on the inside of your bulletin. Who is he in wonder strong, at whose feet the shepherds fall? Tis the Lord, O wondrous story, King of glory, at his feet we all may fall. Crowded, crowded, Lord of all. Who is he who stands and weeps at the grave where Lazarus sleeps? Tis the Lord, O wondrous story! is the Lord, the King of glory. At his feet we humbly fall, crown him, crown him Lord of all. Who is he? ♪ In Calvary's thrones ♪ ♪ As for blessings on his foes ♪ ♪ Tis the Lord, O wondrous story ♪ ♪ Tis the Lord, our King of glory ♪ We humbly fall. Crown him, crown him Lord of all. Who is he who from the grave comes to seek and help and save? It is the Lord! O wondrous story! It is the Lord! At his feet we humbly fall, Crown him, crown him Lord of all. At his feet we humbly fall, In God, in God above. Beloved in Christ, in this Christmas tide, let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels and in heart and mind to go even onto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass and the babe lying in the manger. Let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience onto the glorious redemption brought us by this holy child. And let us make this place 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 the mission and unity of the church for which he died, and especially in this country and within this state and in this city. 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 hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and the little children, and all those 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 multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom in this Lord Jesus we forevermore are one. Let us pray. Holy and loving Father, grant to us the humility of the shepherds, the faith of the wise men, the joy of the angels, and the peace of Christ this Christmas and forevermore. Amen. ♪ Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ Who's to blame ♪ God's will, God's will. ♪ Hallelujah ♪ of adoration together. Almighty God and Heavenly Father, what shall we render to you for the gift of gifts? Your own dear Son, begotten, not created, our Redeemer, surety, substitute, His infinity of love beyond the heart's grasp. Herein is wonder of wonders. He came below to raise us above, was born like us that we might become like him. Herein is love. When we cannot rise to him, he draws near on wings of grace to raise us to himself. O God, take us in spirit to the watchful shepherds, and enlarge our minds. Let us hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, and adore. In Christ you have given us so much that heaven can give no more. All praise be to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. Please be seated. The first lesson is taken from the prophet Isaiah chapter 60, verses 1 through 3. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples. But the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. and the nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. For a boy is born in Bethlehem, Christ our Lord, in a lowly manger lies. Bring your gifts, come and worship at his cradle. Find him, to Bethlehem, and see the Son of Mary. See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas night. Follow me joyfully climbing to Bethlehem and see the Son of Man. Angels from heaven's highest glory bear the news with this message of good cheer. Sing, rejoice, for our King is come to save us! Glory to Bethlehem! We'll see the Son of Mary! Shining bright in the sky this Christmas night. Follow me joyfully. Hurry to Bethlehem and see the Son of God. See he lies in his mother's tender keeping, Jesus Christ in her loving arms asleep. Shepherds forward come to worship and adore him, above their humble gifts before the Son of Mary. With stars shining bright in the sky this Christmas night, follow me joyfully, hurry to Bethlehem and see the Son of Man. Sing his praise on this joyful Christmas night. Christ is come, bringing promise of salvation. Hurry to Bethlehem and see the Son of Mary. See his star shining bright in the sky this Christmas night. Hurray to Bethlehem and see the Son of Mary! Hurray to Bethlehem and see the Son of Mary! The second lesson is from Isaiah 11, verses 1 to 5. There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother. to show God's love of light. She bore to man a Savior when half-dead. The shepherds heard the story, proclaimed by angels bright. O Christ, the Lord of glory, was born on earth this night to Bethlehem, they said. And in the manger found him, as angel heralds sang. Disperse with glorious splendor, everywhere. True man, yet very God. From sin and death he saves us, and lightens every load. O Savior, King of glory, who doth us at last we pray. To the bright courts of heaven and to thy from the book of Isaiah chapter 40, verses one through five. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries, in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low. The uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'" And the glory, the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed. ♪ And all flesh shall see it together ♪ ♪ And all flesh shall see it together ♪ ♪ For the blood of the Lord has flowed in me ♪ ♪ And all flesh shall see it together ♪ ♪ And all flesh shall see it together ♪ and the glory of the Lord, and all flesh shall see it together. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh And the face of flesh shall see it too. Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia, alleluia, ♪ Joy to the world, O come all ye faithful ♪ through good and evil, and heaven and nature sing. And heaven and nature sing. And heaven and nature sing. and hearts, but hills and plains, we meet but seldom in joy. We meet but seldom in joy. We meet but seldom in joy. gospel according to Luke chapter 1 verses 26 to 33. In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David and the virgin's name was Mary and he came to her and said greetings oh favored one The Lord is with you.' But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there will be no end. O God, magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. of magnified being and holy is his name. is the land that we live. God of generations, He hath shown strength with his arm. He hath shattered the crown. He hath shattered the foundation of the house. He hath laid down the fighting rod. Lord and King, He hath given me authority to enter a bridge in ascending away. ♪ Mercy hath holdeth his servant Israel ♪ ♪ As he promised to our forefathers in Bethlehem ♪ ♪ Amen ♪ ♪ Alleluia ♪ ♪ Alleluia ♪ and to the Holy Ghost. In the beginning, is now, and shall be, so so ♪ Love who was with me on the Sabbath morn ♪ The room was filled beyond the splendor, but for the same he came in. Amazing! How for the same He came as man, Serving so long our Saviour's place. ♪ How true, Lord God, we are of praising ♪ ♪ The Lord, the Savior, he gave his hand ♪ Thee, O God, to heaven's sacred day! God of hosts, God of hosts, God of hosts, God of hosts, The fifth lesson taken from Matthew's Gospel, chapter 1, verses 18 through 25. Now, the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel. which means God with us. When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son, and he called his name Jesus. ♪ That Son of God only ♪ ♪ In our grateful core did lie ♪ ♪ With our poor flesh and our own blood ♪ ♪ Was clothed and adorned ♪ The Lord Christ, Jesus Christ, our dear cause A source to bring from misery That we might live eternally. ♪ All this he did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ He did for us ♪ ♪ and give him thanks forevermore. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Let us sing of love. Sing of freedom to our great King. Peace to this land forevermore. In excelsis Deo. He rules with me in the sea. Come, my Lord, from heaven be. Christ, the Lord, the newborn King. Gloria in excelsis Deo. The Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8 to 14. And in the same region, there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. And they were filled with great fear. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. ♪ Song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song to song ♪ Sound to sound to us, Dominus Deus, Abba Lord. ♪ ♪ Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. In excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. benedictus, benedictus, qui benedicti nobbi et domini, Benedictus, Benedictus, qui venit in nomine Domini. ♪ Dictus benedictus ♪ ♪ Qui benedicte ♪ ♪ Domine Dominis ♪ ♪ Benedictus benedictus ♪ ♪ Qui benedicte ♪ the holy day. Hosanna in Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in excelsis. Some years ago, when Jackie and I were living in the United Kingdom, we decided to go to Sydney, Australia with our family to spend Christmas with Jackie's family. For those of you who don't know the flight time from London to Sydney, let me just say, it is a whole day of your life that you never get back again. The flight there was actually fine. It was the flight home that was rather eventful. It was a 10-hour flight from Sydney to Singapore. And while Jackie slept conveniently, I took one of our sons to the restroom for another nappy change, or diaper, as you say here in America. And while I was in that restroom changing my son, we entered a period of turbulence. And when I say turbulence, I mean serious turbulence. So much that the captain came on the intercom and asked not only passengers to return to their seats and fasten their seatbelts, but also the crew. Well, what was I to do? Mid diaper change. Here I was with one hand on my son, pinning him to the change table, and with the other hand trying to open this diaper bouncing away. And then to make matters worse, I heard a sound off to my left. And I looked over and there he was, peeing over his head against the sideboard. It was all over his head, all over my hand, and in the midst of the mess and the stress and the bounce, a Bible verse came to me. It was not, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. No, it was a verse from the prophet Isaiah. Just three words. Behold your God. Behold your God. I kid you not, those were the words that came to me in the midst of the mess and the stress We'd just been at a carol service in Sydney, Australia, and Isaiah chapter 40 must have been one of the readings, because those were the words that came to me. Behold your God. Of course, I knew that my son wasn't God, but I did think that once upon a time, God became a baby boy. just like my son. And when he did, he would have peed and pooped. He would have cried and cooed, just like my son. There's a verse in the Bible that captures this in general terms without the graphic details, but still with the same truth. John chapter 1 verse 14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word, that is God's eternal Son, who was with God in the beginning and was equal with God in substance, power, and glory. That person of God, the Son of God, became one of us. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Now the Son of God did not come down from heaven like a jet ranger, like a ranger with a jet pack on. No, he came down to us by the Holy Spirit causing a virgin to conceive in her womb. He became a tiny zygote in his mother's womb and went through all the natural stages of development. He would have had an umbilical cord attached to her placenta through which he was fed by her blood. And then he would have come out through her birth canal into the big, wide world. And when he came out, he would have peed and pooped. He would have cried and cooed. then he would have learned to talk. He would have learned to walk. He would have learned to think and to reason as a young boy and then he would have went through all the puberty changes of an adolescent boy. And then he would have grown into a young man and then into an adult in full maturity. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. That is the mystery of Christmas. The eternal Son of God, the divine Word, became one of us and lived through all the stages of human development, from an embryo to an adult man. But why? Why did God become one of us? The answer is simple. God became one of us so that he could save us. God became one of us so that he could save us. An early church theologian by the name of Irenaeus put it like this. God cannot save what he has not assumed. God cannot save what he has not assumed. What Irenaeus meant was that if God wanted to save humanity, he had to assume humanity, not in a rational sense, but in a physical sense. God had to take upon himself a human nature and grow and develop through all the stages of that human nature in order to save us. He had to go through the development from an embryo in the womb to a newborn baby, to a toddler, to a little boy, to a teenage boy, to a young man, to an adult man, because God cannot save what he has not assumed. In order for God to save us, he had to become one of us. That is the mystery. Christmas. And that was the mystery that hit home to me at 37,000 feet in the air, in a restroom, changing my son in the mess and the stress and the bounce. Behold your God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The question is, what will we do with this mystery? Will we miss the mystery this Christmas or will we muse on the mystery? Miss the mystery or muse on the mystery? Which will it be for you? Miss it or muse on it? Because not everyone gets the mystery. Not everyone believes the mystery. Some people miss the mystery. Some people reject or disbelieve the mystery. A few verses earlier in John chapter one, the apostle John writes, he came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. Some people in Jesus's day missed the mystery. Some people in our day miss the mystery. Will you be one of them this Christmas? Maybe you're sitting there thinking, I think I might be, but I don't want to be. I'd like to find out more about the mystery. Well then, why not come along to this Jesus Explored course that we're doing in January and discover the mystery with us? Or take one of the free books on the way out that explain the mystery of Christmas. Because here at 10th, we don't want you to miss the mystery. Some people in Jesus's day missed the mystery. Some people in our day, sadly, miss the mystery. But there were some in Jesus' day who mused on the mystery, who saw it for what it was and received it by faith. The apostle John also mentions them. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Some people in Jesus' day mused on the mystery. Some people in our day muse on the mystery. Are you one of them? If so, then this Christmas, come again to Bethlehem and behold your God. in the muck and mess of human flesh, lying in a cattle trough, born for you. Behold your God, who became like you so that he could save you. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Our rescue, merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day. To save us all from Satan's power, we were born astray. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. A healthy father, a blessed angel came. And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same. All that in Bethlehem was born, the Son of God by name. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. Fear not, then, sadly, angel of night, for the Savior is born of sin and of pride, to free all those that trust in him from Satan's power and might. O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings God loves and praises all who live in this place, O tidings of comfort and joy! O tidings of comfort and joy! O tidings of comfort and joy! The Gospel of Matthew, chapter two, verses one to 12. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, in Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet. And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah. For from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people, Israel. Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem saying, go and search diligently for the child. And when you have found him, bring me word that I too may come and worship him. After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. ♪ Watch to not break the infant king ♪ ♪ Angels are marching, stars are shining ♪ ♪ Over the place where he is lying ♪ Sing lullaby. Sing lullaby. Lullaby baby, gently sleeping, sing lullaby. ♪ Do not wake the infant king ♪ ♪ Soon will come sorrow with the morning ♪ ♪ Soon will come bitter grief and weeping ♪ Sing lullaby. Sing lullaby. Lullaby, baby. Sweetest baby. ♪ Do not wait for the evening's tear ♪ ♪ Soon comes the cross, the hills are piercing ♪ ♪ Then in the grave at last repose thee ♪ Sing lullaby, lullaby, baby, now awake. Sing lullaby, lullaby, ♪ Conquering death, his bondage breaking ♪ ♪ Sing, O sing of love, O sing of love, O sing of love ♪ In the bleak midwinter, frosty with rain, When earth shall hear your name, when he comes to reign, he'll not be free. Jesus Christ, angels and archangels sing. The eighth lesson is taken from the Gospel of John, chapter one, verses one through 14. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him. Yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ♪ Climb to the top of the highest mountain ♪ ♪ Joyous tidings proclaim to the world ♪ ♪ Lift up your voice, shout the good news ♪ Behold your Lord comes to you, comes to you. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms. He will ever keep them safe from harm. Behold, your Lord comes to thee. ♪ He who made the stars in the heavens ♪ ♪ He who made the stars in the heavens ♪ ♪ He who fashioned the earth and the sea ♪ ♪ He who fashioned the earth and the sea ♪ ♪ From God eternal, from God eternal ♪ ♪ The Alpha Alpha Omega Omega King ♪ ♪ Behold your Lord ♪ ♪ He will come ♪ ♪ He will come in power and glory ♪ ♪ He will rule ♪ ♪ Mercy and truth to all nations of the world ♪ We love our little children. He will hold them in his arms. Love him, trust him as much, little child. O come, O come, O come, O come, O come, O come, Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright around your Sing then, soul, tender and mild. Sing in heavenly peace. Sing in heavenly peace. ♪ Silent night, holy night ♪ ♪ All is calm, all is bright ♪ ♪ Shepherds quake at the sight ♪ ♪ Glory stream from heaven afar ♪ Sing alleluia, Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born. ♪ Holy night, holy night ♪ ♪ Son of God, love's pure light ♪ ♪ Radiant beams from thy holy face ♪ God of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at thy birth, Jesus, Lord at thy birth. O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Take flesh, O God, and sing, Hail, ye God and D&D! Jesus, the David, and Judah, Jesus, our King! O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? who by his incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly grant you the fullness of inward peace and goodwill and make you partakers of the divine nature and the blessing of God Father Son and Holy Spirit remain with you and rest upon you now and forever amen Please be seated.