Carols at Midnight Mass

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HallamPhil
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Parish / Diocese: St Lawrence Diocese of St Petersburg
Location: Tampa, Florida

Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by HallamPhil »

We don't offer a carol service before the Night Mass but here is a list which shows what will be available from the buffet!

CHRISTMAS ‘NIGHT’ MASS
Organ Prelude: Dieu parmi nous – God among us (Olivier Messiaen) played by Philip Jakob
Choral Prelude: Who heard the noise? (Bell)

Introductory Rites
Processional Carol: O come , all ye faithful
Proclamation of the Birth of Christ: (from the Ancient Martyrology)
Glory to God: New Celtic Liturgy

LITURGY OF THE WORD
Psalm 96:Christmas Psalm (Farrell)
Sequence: Grates nunc omnes reddamus Domino Deo - Every sister, every brother
Gospel Acclamation: Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Homily
Carol: Hark, the herald angels sing
Profession of Faith:
General Intercessions & Blessing of the Crib:
Procession to Crib: Ave Regina coelorum (in place of Hail Mary)

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Preparation of the Gifts and Altar: Hodie Christus natus est (Sweelinck)
Eucharistic Acclamations: Mass of Creation

Communion Rite
Lamb of God: New Wine Mass (Jakob)
Communion Motet: O magnum mysterium (Byrd)
Post-Communion Song: Silent Night (arr. Jakob)

Concluding Rites
Carol: The Sussex Carol
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Nick Baty
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by Nick Baty »

That's quite a sumptuous feast!
By contrast, from a more modest establishment in North Liverpool.

Christmas Eve
Christmas Overture – Yours Truly
O Holy Night – Adolphe Adam
Procession to Crib: Fanfare leading into – O come all ye faithful (Vv 1 and "See how the shepherds..)
Blessing of crib leads into unaccompanied "God of God..." via fanfare into:
Procession to altar: "Sing Choir of Angels..."
Psalm 95: Today a Saviour has been born – Nick Baty
Alleluia Lucis: Nick Baty
Gospel: Deacon leads us into Joyful news to you I bring – Paul Inwood
Offertory: God rest ye merry, gentleman but in renaissance dance style, led by flute and bodhran
Bakhita Acclamations – Nick Baty with Peter Skellern style brass
Agnus Graemus – Nick Baty
Coventry Carol with mix of live woodwind and midi guitar
Silent Night
Hark the Herald Angels sing
Feliz Navidad – José Felicianos with maracas aplenty

Christmas Day
Gaudete, Christus est natus in the style of Steelye Span
Blessing of crib – Different church so crib wasn't blessed night before
O Come all ye faithful
Gloria Santa Klaus – Nick Baty
Psalm 95: Today a Saviour has been born – Nick Baty
Alleluia Lucis: Nick Baty
Infant holy, infant lowly
Seanathair Acclamations – Nick Baty
Millennium Lamb of God – Paul Inwood with gooey brass chords
Rejoice and do not fear – Nick Baty leading into
Silent Night – ending with repeat of "Rejoice" antiphon
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
We wish you a merry Christmas with humouresque brass accpt
HallamPhil
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by HallamPhil »

Such an eclectic mix in Liverpool! Have a great Christmas, Nick.
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Nick Baty
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by Nick Baty »

We're the eclectic end of God's own city. Merry Christmas, Phil.
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VML
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by VML »

Nick, I'm very envious.
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Nick Baty
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by Nick Baty »

It's all very simple stuff, VML. We have the joy of old school friends who play brass for us. It all started in the days when we didn't have an organ so it was brass or nothing. If you ignore all the bits in italics, it's a few straightforward carols and hymns with a set of acclamations.
Hare
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by Hare »

Southern Comfort wrote:Joy to the World was never sung in Catholic churches before the advent of programmes like Songs of Praise, which has been more responsible than any other single factor for skewing the "liturgical" music used in our churches during the past 25-30 years. (The subject for a thesis on someone's part?) When I was growing up it was always considered the archetypal "Protestant" Christmas hymn, and certainly felt and sounded more Protestant than many others which have rather more easily found acceptance. I expect the PP also noted the difficulty of the final leaping and dancing phrase for those who do not know it (and sometimes even for those who do!).

I, too, favour Hark! the Herald in F, or Adeste Fideles/O come, all ye faithful at the end.



"Joy to the world" is a paraphrase of Psalm 96 and/or 98 (which are very similar) In what way is that Protestant?
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Nick Baty
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by Nick Baty »

I don't think SC said it was Protestant. His exact words were: "When I was growing up it was always considered the archetypal "Protestant" Christmas hymn".

When I was a child, All People that on earth do dwell and Praise my soul, the king of heaven were considered protestant – and they're both based on psalms.

In fact, I can't think of a single scriptural text which we sang in those days.
dmu3tem
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by dmu3tem »

I face two basic problems with a Midnight Carol service in the Anglican church where I play:

[1] Very few people turn up. Most people go to the Children's Nativity service at 6.00 pm. (The same sort of thing happens at the local Catholic church I previously played at). If I make elaborate musical preparations I therefore feel it is all for very little. Now, of course, numbers are not everything and a service with a small committed following can be very moving. However, it does raise the issue of whether one should yield to this, put one's main musical effort into the earlier service and doing something more limited later on thus risking a 'downward spiral' ultimately leading to no Midnight service at all.

PS Could someone correct me. Was Christ born at midnight? I know the Shepherds were 'keeping watch' at night, but they could have received the message at some other point during the hours of darkness.

[2] There is the question of overlapping attendence. My initial instinct is to go for different carols/hymns at all the different Christmas services, partly for liturgical reasons, partly because people will get bored doing the same carols/hymns if they come to several services. On the other hand, this is undermined by the consideration that in several cases (e.g. the Children's Nativity and Midnight services mentioned above) there is very little overlap in the congregation at all, especially if the service formats in each case are different. One therefore produces an uneasy compromise between standard favorites (Hark the Herald, Adeste Fideles etc) being sung on pretty well every occasion leavened by a shifting kalaidescope of other hymns/carols. If you have lots of services in close proximity to one another your stock of known carols/hymns runs pretty thin. Consider the implications of this setup for Xmas:

This Sunday: Morning Eucharist at 11.00: 4 Carols/Hymns needed
: Carol service at 6.00 pm: at least 6 Carols/Hymns needed
Xmas Eve : Children's service at 6.00 pm: 4 Carols/Hymns needed
: 'Midnight' Eucharist at 11.30 pm: 4 Carols/Hymns needed
Xmas Day : 'Short' Xmas morning service at 10.30 am: some Carols/Hymns needed (don't know yet - the vicar has not told me how many - so I assume the 'worst' and plan for 4 carols/hymns

Grand total: 22 Carols/hymns needed (plus of course those already used these last few Sundays despite it being Advent).

The issue is further compounded if one follows the liturgical cycle/readings closely. For example no 'We Three Kings' because we have not reached Epiphany yet. Other carols/hymns clearly assume night or daytime use e.g. The First Nowell's text suggests a night time use is more suitable - I frequently forget this!

Finally, in Pre-Vatican II days 'Adeste Fideles' in the Vincent Novello choral arrangement was an assumed 'standard' in Catholic parishes at Midnight Mass. Note, by the way, the subversively 'Jacobite' overtones in the text (more obvious in the Latin original) that would have been recognised by most Catholics (and denied by them to outsiders) in the mid-eighteenth century. After the 1778 Catholic Relief Act its force would have been undermined by the application of 'Domine Salvum Fac' settings to the Hanoverians.
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dominus
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by dominus »

Here in one of the Channel Islands, Diocese of Portsmouth, we have Carols & Blessing of the Crib followed by Midnight Mass:

2300 Carols before Mass

Processional: Puer Natus in Bethlehem, alleluia! (Plainchant 1)
Greeting & Introduction
Carol: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Lesson: Micah 5:1-3
Carol: On Christmas Night all Christians Sing
Lesson: St Matthew 1:18-25
Carol: The Holly and the Ivy
Lesson: An excerpt from "Life of Christ" by Fulton Sheen
Carol: Once in Royal David's City
Blessing of the Crib
Carol: While Shepherds Watched
Conclusion
Motet: Quem Pastores

2330 Midnight Mass

Introit: Dominus Dixit (Ps 2:7)
Entrance: Adeste Fideles
Kyrie Eleison: Russian Orthodox Liturgy
Gloria: Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Gradual: Tecum principium (Ps 109:3:1)
Alleluia with Latin Versicle
Intercesisons: Miserere nobis (Bob Hurd)
Offertory Antiphon: Gaudete (Piae Cantiones)
Carol: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Sanctus: Missa Adoremus (penned by Director of Music, based on Carols)
Mysterium Fidei: Missa Adoremus
Agnus Dei: Missa Adoremus
Communion Antiphon: In splendoribus sanctorum (Ps 110:3)
Motets: 1. In the Bleak Midwinter (Drake)
2. Still, Still, Still (Austrian)
3. My Dancing Day (Traditional)
Carol: Silent Night
Recessional: Joy to the World (5 verses, the latter beginning "His name shall be the Prince of Peace ..." and "Glory to God the sounding skies")
Voluntary: A Christmas Variation on Carols

Christmas Morning brings the following - much of which is borrowed from Midnight again:

Introit: A child is born for us (Is 9:5)
Entrance: O Come, All Ye Faithful
Kyrie Eleison: Russian Orthodox Liturgy
Gloria: Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Psalm: All the ends of the earth (Ps 98) Melody by Gregory Evans
Alleluia
Intercesisons: Miserere nobis (Bob Hurd)
Offertory Antiphon: Gaudete (Piae Cantiones)
Carol: God Res You Merry, Gentlemen
Sanctus: Missa Adoremus
Mysterium Fidei: Missa Adoremus
Agnus Dei: Missa Adoremus
Communion Antiphon: All the ends of the earth (Ps 98:3)
Motets: 1. In the Bleak Midwinter (Drake)
2. Still, Still, Still (Austrian)
3. My Dancing Day (Traditional)
4. Quem Pastores (German)
Carol: Away in a Manger (usually with the children gathering around the Creche)
Recessional: Joy to the World
Voluntary: Fantasia on Carols
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musicus
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by musicus »

Phew! Very impressive and out-of-the-ordinary.

Welcome to the forum, dominus.
musicus - moderator, Liturgy Matters
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Ros Wood
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Parish / Diocese: Christ the King Chingford - Brentwood Diocese
Location: London

Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by Ros Wood »

At Christ the King, Chingford we will do our best (main organist is ill and other organist will be away so I'll have to busk it).

6.30pm (aimed at children)
Carols Before Mass with readings:
Ding dong, merrily on high
Zechariah and Elizabeth find out that they are going to have a baby
Once in royal David’s city
The Annuciation
The Angel Came from Heaven
The Visitation
My soul proclaims
Birth of John the Baptist
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Children’s Play – The birth of Jesus
including Glory, glory to God (Walker)

Mass
Entry: O Come all ye faithful
Advent Candle Song - Wood (Christmas Verse)
Gloria: Christmas Gloria (Wood)
Psalm: Christmas Psalm (Farrell)
Gospel Acc: Advent Acclamation (Hughes)
Offertory: While shepherds watched their flocks
Eucharistic Acc: New Christ the King (Wood)
Lamb of God: New Christ the King
Communion: Away in a manger
Bread of life (Farrell)
Silent Night
Recessional: The Virgin Mary had a baby boy

11.30pm Carols and Readings followed by Mass at midnight
Once in Royal David’s City
READING
O come, O come Emmanuel
READING
The Angel Gabriel
O Little Town of Bethlehem
READING
Ding Dong Merrily
Unto us a child is born (Waddell)

Mass
Hymn: O Come all ye faithful 520
Gloria: Christmas Gloria (Wood)
Psalm: Christmas Psalm (Farrell)
Gospel Acc: Advent Acclamation (Hughes)
Offertory: In the Bleak Midwinter
Eucharistic Acc: New Christ the King (Wood)
Lamb of God: New Christ the King
Communion
Hymns: Child of mercy (Haas)
Away in a manger
Post Communion: Silent Night
Hymn: Joy to the world

Christmas Day 10am.
Entry: O Come all ye faithful
Gloria: Christmas Gloria (Wood)
Psalm: All the ends of the Earth (Haas and Haugen)
Gospel Acc: Advent Acclamation (Hughes)
Offertory: Ding dong merrily on high
Eucharistic Acc: New Christ the King (Wood)
Lamb of God: Christ the King (Wood)
Communion: Away in a manger
While shepherds watched their flocks
Recessional: Hark the herald angels sing
quaeritor
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by quaeritor »

AS I am at this very moment preparing the order of service for the congregation it seems churlish not to share it with you by the magic of Cut and Paste (excuse any typos - the eagle-eyed Mrs Q is as we speak proof-reading the draft - and I notice in the preview that the tabbing has not copied well so what you are seeing is a bit unstructured - and i can't figre out how to cure that - sorry!.).

CAROLS AND READINGS, AND MIDNIGHT MASS
CHRISTMAS EVE 2012

All: O Come All Ye Faithful Laudate, No 159
Opening Prayer
Reading: Adam is punished for his disobedience Genesis3;17-19

Choir: Remember O Thou Man Thomas Ravenscroft

All: Of the Father's Love Begotten Laudate, No 160
vv 1-4
Reading: The annunciation to Mary Luke 1: 30–33

Choir: A Spotless Rose Herbert Howells

All: Gabriel's Message Laudate, No 113

Reading: The annunciation to Joseph Matthew 1: 20b–21

Choir: As Joseph Was A-Walking Traditional, Arr R R Terry

All: The First Nowell Laudate, No 150
vv 1,2,4,6
Reading: The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem Micah 5: 1–2

Choir: O Little Town of Bethlehem Walford Davies

All: Bethlehem, of Noblest Cities Laudate, No 167
vv 1,2,5
Reading: The angels appear to the shepherds Luke 2: 8b-11

Choir: A Child Lies in the Manger Traditional, Arr R Graves

All: While Shepherds Watched Laudate, No 133

Choir: The Ashwell Carol Traditional, Arr E Poston/JPG

All: Silent Night Laudate, No 136

THE BLESSING OF THE CRIB

All: Come, Come, Come to the Manger. Laudate No 139

SINGING DURING THE MASS

Most of the sung parts of the Order of Mass are to be found on the sheets titled “The Divinum Mysterium Mass”. Other sung texts are as follows:

The Responsorial Psalm
(Please join in the repeated response.)
The Gospel Acclamation
(Please join in the repeated Alleluia.)

(The Profession of Faith is spoken, not sung.)

The Offertory Hymn
In the Bleak Midwinter Laudate, No 144

(The Lord's Prayer is spoken, not sung.)

During Holy Communion
See Amid the Winter's Snow Laudate No 151
(Please join in singing at least the refrain while
taking part in the procession to Holy Communion.)

After Communion (if time allows)
Away in a Manger Laudate No 137

Recessional Hymn
Hark the Herald Angels Sing Laudate No 155

Q
Southern Comfort
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by Southern Comfort »

Is anyone doing the Arthur Oldham setting of Remember, O thou man this year? Wonderful piece!
Hare
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Re: Carols at Midnight Mass

Post by Hare »

Nick Baty wrote:I don't think SC said it was Protestant. His exact words were: "When I was growing up it was always considered the archetypal "Protestant" Christmas hymn".



Agreed - apologies for implying he said what he didn't. My point was that it is based on the psalms, so what is the problem? And if any hymn is "Protestant" so what? As long as it doesn't say anything anti-Catholic!
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