“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” – Advent Carol Service 2012 – Trinity College Chapel (YouTube)

Peanut Gallery: “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” – by Charles Coffin (1676-1749)

The Hymn may be found in the middle of the Trinity College Chapel Advent Carol Service:

Beginning at 39.14 – Reading: Matthew 3.1-12 “John the Baptist Prepares the Way”
Beginning at 41.17 – Hymn: “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”

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“On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry announces that the Lord is nigh. Awake and harken, for he brings glad tidings of the King of kings!”

Please note: The words sung are slightly different from those printed here.

“Then cleansed be every life from sin: make straight the way for God within, and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there.

“We hail you as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward. Without your grace we waste away like flowers that wither and decay.”

“Stretch forth your hand, our health restore, and make us rise to fall no more. O let your face upon us shine and fill the world with love divine.”

“All praise to you, eternal Son, whose advent has our freedom won, whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Spirit, evermore.”

Morning Reading: Luke 1.11-17 NLT

Luke 1.11-17 NLT

Bonifazio Veronese, 1487-1553, "The Archangel Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah." — Bonifazio Veronese, 1487-1553, “The Archangel Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah.”

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.

But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

Advent Hymn: “Of the Father’s love begotten” (YouTube)

“Of the Father’s love begotten”
Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 4th c

Of the Father’s love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be, He the Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore!

Oh that birth forever-blessèd, When the Virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Saviour of our race; And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer, First displayed His sacred face, Evermore and evermore!

This is He whom seers in time of old, Chanted of with one accord, Whom the voices of the prophets, Promised in their faithful word. Now He shines, the Long Expected. Let creation praise its Lord, Evermore and evermore!

Let the heights of heaven adore Him. Angel hosts, His praises sing. Powers, dominions bow before Him, And extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert ring, Evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost to Thee, Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving, And unwending praises be: Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory, Evermore and evermore!

Amen.

Silent Night – a conspiracy of love (YouTube)

sleeping-baby-on-vintage-suitcase Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright ’round yon virgin mother and child; holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing alleluia; Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night, holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light, radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.