Lessons and Carols (December 24, 2003, at 6.30 PM)
With roots dating back 1880, the “Service of Lessons and Carols” was instituted in 1918 by the then newly appointed Dean of King’s College, Cambridge, Eric Milner-White. The basic structure of the service is nine scripture readings (lessons) interspersed with singing by the congregation and the choir (carols). Although discussions regarding this historic service often focus too heavily on the music and the structure itself, it is the lessons which are the true heart of the service. As its founder commented, ‘The main theme is the development of the loving purposes of God …’ seen ‘through the windows and words of the Bible.’
Indeed, the lessons trace the growth and history of “the seed” beginning with the fall of man through its head, Adam, as found in Genesis 3:15: And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Then in Genesis 22:16-18 God’s promise to Abraham: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—“blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Next are prophecies of the True Seed, our New Covenant Head, such as found in Isaiah 11:1: There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The fulfillment of the prophecies are then read in the Gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke. Elizabeth, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” rejoices over Mary saying, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary then sings her glorious “Magnificat” ending with the words, “As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.” The final lesson is that of John 1:1-14 in which the hope of the promise is set before us, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Truly God’s sovereignty is magnificent. In it we can rest and rejoice. You are invited to assemble with the saints, the Church, the very Body of Christ, to hear, recall, sing, and celebrate the great mercy and love of God the Father, Chrsit the Son, and the Holy Spirit towards us, his everlasting seed.
The service begins at 6:30 p.m., preceeded by extended prelude music, on December 24, Christmas Eve.
In His service,
David
December 12, 2003