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Welcome and Bidding Prayer

Beloved in Christ, at this Christmastide, let it be our care and delight to hear again the message of the angels, and in heart and mind to go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, and the Babe lying in the manger. Therefore, let us read and mark in Holy Scripture the tale of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience unto the glorious Redemption brought us by this holy Child; and let us make this village glad with our carols of praise. But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world; for peace on earth and goodwill among all his people; for unity and brotherhood within the Church he came to build, and especially in this our diocese. And because this would rejoice his heart, let us remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed; the sick and them that 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 the Lord Jesus, we for evermore are one.

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These prayers and praises let us humbly offer up to the throne of heaven, in the words which Christ himself hath taught us:

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and unto the fellowship of the citizens above may the King of Angels bring us all. Amen.

ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITYOnce in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed, where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed; Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven, who is God and Lord of all, and his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall;

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with the poor and mean and lowly, lived on earth our Saviour holy.

And through all his wondrous childhood he would honour and obey, love, and watch the lowly maiden, in whose gentle arms he lay; Christian children all must be mild, obedient, good as he.

For he is our childhood's pattern, day by day, like us he grew; he was little, weak and helpless, tears and smiles like us he knew; and He feeleth for our sadness, and He shareth in our gladness.

And our eyes at last shall see him through his own redeeming love, for that child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heav’n above; and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.

Not in that poor lowly stable,with the oxen standing by,we shall see Him; but in heaven,set at God's right hand on high;when like stars His children crownedall in white shall wait around.

Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)

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1st Lesson: GENESIS 3 Jeanette Appleton, Mothers’ Union

God announces in the Garden of Eden that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL O Come all ye Faithfuljoyful and triumphant,O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.Come and behold Him,born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light,Lo! He abhors not the virgin's womb;very God, begotten not created:

See how the shepherds,summoned to his cradle,leaving their flocks, draw nigh with lowly fear;we too will thitherbend our joyful footsteps:

Lo! star-led chieftains,Magi, Christ adoring,offer him incense, gold, and myrrh;we to the Christ Childbring our hearts' oblations:

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Sing, choirs of angels,sing in exultation,sing, all ye citizens of heav'n above;glory to God in the highest:

2nd Lesson: GENESIS 22Coral McEwen, Choir Member

God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall the nations of the earth be blessed.

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan,Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,In the bleak midwinter long ago.

Our God, heav'n cannot hold him, nor earth sustain,Heav'n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign;In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficedThe Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for him whom cherubim worship night and day,A breastful of milk and a manger full of hay;Enough for him, whom angels fall down before,The ox and ass and camel which adore.

What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb,If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part, Yet what I can I give him,Give my heart. (repeat)

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3rd Lesson: ISAIAH 9 Dan Woodcock, Headteacher East Bergholt High School

Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.

Organ:– Es ist ein Ros entsprungen - Brahms

4th Lesson: ISAIAH 11Read by Hayley Aherne, Constable Country Child Care

The peace that Christ will bring is foreshown NATIVITY CAROL

Born in a stable so bare, born so long ago,Born 'neath light of star, he who loved us so

Far away silent he lay, born today, your homage pay,For Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day.

Cradled by mother so fair, tender her lullaby,Over her son so dear, angel hosts fill the sky.

Far away silent he lay, born today, your homage pay,Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day.

Wise men from distant far land, shepherds from starry hills,Worship this babe so rare, hearts with his warmth he fills.

Far away silent he lay, born today, your homage pay,For Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day.

Love in that stable was born into our hearts to flow;Innocent dreaming babe, make me thy love to know.

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Far away silent he lay, born today, your homage pay,Christ is born for aye, born on Christmas Day.

5th Lesson: ST LUKE 1 Heloise Finch-Boyer, Toddlers and TCarers

The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.

THE FIRST NOWELLThe first Nowell the angel did sayWas to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;In fields where they lay, keeping their sheep,On a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star,Three wise men came from country far,To seek for a king was their intent,And to follow the star wherever it went.

Nowell ….

Then enter'd in those wise men three,Full rev'rently upon their knee,And offered there in his presenceTheir gold and myrrh and frankincense.

Nowell ….

Then let us all with one accordSing praises to our heav'nly LordThat hath made heav'n and earth of naught,

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And with his blood mankind hath bought.Nowell ….

6th Lesson: ST LUKE 2 Simon Rothwell, family@church

St Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.

AWAY IN A MANGER

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the skyAnd stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stayClose by me for ever, and love me, I pray.Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

7th Lesson: ST LUKE 2 Gill Mitchell, Headteacher East Bergholt Primary School

The shepherds go to the manger.

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ALL MY HEART THIS NIGHT REJOICESAll my heart this night rejoices,As I hear, far and near, sweetest angel voices:"Christ is born!" their choirs are singingTill the air ev'rywhere now with joy is ringing.

Hark! A voice from yonder manger,Soft and sweet, doth entreat, "Flee from woe and danger".Brethren, come from all doth grieve you,You are freed, all you need I will surely give you.

Come then, let us hasten yonder!Here let all, great and small, kneel in awe and wonder. Love him who with love is yearning!Hail the star that from far - bright with hope is burning!

Thee, dear Lord, with heed I'll cherishLive to thee, and with thee, dying shall not perish;But shall dwell with thee for ever.Far on high, in the joy that can alter never.

8th Lesson: ST MATTHEW 2Martin Digby, Bell Ringer

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.

ORGAN Nun komm der Heiden Heiland - Bach

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All stand for the Ninth Lesson

9th Lesson: ST JOHN 1Ann Tankard, Flower Arranger

St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation.

The Lord be with you and with thy spirit. Let us pray:

Collect for Christmas EveAll: Almighty God, who makest us glad with the yearly

remembrance of the birth of thy only Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as we joyfully receive him as our redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our judge; who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever,Amen

Blessing May he who by his Incarnation gathered into one things earthly and heavenly, fill you with the sweetness of inward peace and goodwill; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen

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Hark! The Herald Angels SingHark! 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.Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see;hail, th'incarnate Deity!Pleased, as man, with man to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hail! the heav'n born Prince of peace!Hail! the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all he brings,risen with healing in his wingsmild he lays his glory by,born that man no more may die:born to raise the sons of earth,

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born to give them second birth.

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Our thanks to St Mary’s Director of Music Martin Huggett,the St Mary’s Choir, Organists: Jane van Tilborg and Martin Huggett

Trumpets: Daniel and Georgi Wright and our Readers.

Special thanks to Joop van der Toorn for the filming.

The Rector, Ministry Team and PCC’s ofSt Mary the Virgin and St Michael the Archangel

wish you a very Blessed Christmas.

TODDLERS and CARERSMeet on Fridays

09:30 -11:30, St Mary’s, Contact Liz Digby 01473 312281

Family@Church meets on first Sunday of the month at 16:00 in St Mary’s.

Child friendly, family fun followed by a High Tea.Contact Fiona on 298205

Benefice Website: www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk www.facebook.com/stmaryseastbergholt

Follow us on Twitter @constablechurch Rector: Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn, assisted by Canon Coco

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CHRISTMAS IN THE BENEFICE

Comfort and Joy

Christmas Eve

08:00 BCP Communion, East Bergholt (Booking is essential for this service)

15:00 Crib, Brantham (YouTube)15:30 East Bergholt Float procession begins in Gandish Road23:30 Midnight Mass, EB (Booking is essential for this service)

Christmas Day

09:30 Benefice Christmas Communion, B (Booking is essential for this service)

Sunday, 27th December

10:30 Benefice BCP Communion, EB (said)

To book for services, please contact Rev Steph 01206 392646 or revstephvdt@googlemail.com by the 23rd of December.

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15 donkeys are hiding in plain sight around East Bergholt until the New Year. They are 50cms high and all differently painted. Each has

a name. Once you have found all 15, contact Rev Steph with the name of each donkey, and where you found it. There is a small prize

for the winner. (revstephvdt@googlemail.com / 01206 392646)

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Please leave the donkeys where you find them! You won’t need to go into private property to find them.

Grateful thanks to Mrs Spencer and Mr Woodward and the pupils of East Bergholt High School for their help with this project.

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CCL 5794