Anthem text

I. Prologue

Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes 
wherein our Savior's birth is celebrated 
this bird of dawning singeth all night long; 
and then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad,
the nights are wholesome, then no planets strike,
no fairy takes nor witch hath pow'r to charm,
so hallowed and so gracious is the time.

--William Shakespeare

II. Processional

Of the Father's love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
He is 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.

O that birth forever blessed,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race;
and this Babe, the world's redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore.

--Prudentius, tr. J.M. Neale and H.W. Baker 

III. The Holly and the Ivy

The holly and the ivy,
when they are both full grown,
of all the trees that are in the wood
the holly bears the crown.

Refrain: Oh, the rising of the sun,
and the running of the deer, 
the playing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir.

The holly bears a berry,
as red as any blood, 
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
to do poor sinners good.
The holly bears a prickle,
as sharp as any thorn, 
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
on Christmas Day in the morn.
Refrain

The holly and the ivy,
when they are both full grown,
of all the trees that are in the wood,
the holly bears the crown. 
Refrain

--Trad. English carol

IV. There Is No Rose

There is no rose of such virtue
as is the rose that bare Jesu; 
Alleluia, alleluia.

For in this rose contained was Heaven
and Earth in little space.
Resmiranda, resmiranda. 

By that rose we may well see
that he is God in persons three,
Pares forma. Pares forma, pares forma.

Then leave we all this worldly mirth
and follow we this joyous birth:
Transeamus, transeamus.

--traditional English

V. Balulalow

O my deare heart, young Jesu sweit, 
prepare thy creddil in my spreit,
and I sall rock thee to my hert, 
and never mair from thee depart.

But I sall praise thee evermore, 
with sanges sweet unto thy gloir; 
the knees of my hert sall I bow, 
bow, sall I bow, 
and sing that richt Balulalow.

--James, John, and Robert Wedderburn, (1548), 1561 

VI. The Christmas Silence

Hushed are the pigeons cooing low 
on dusty rafters on the loft,
and mild-eyed oxen, breathing soft,
sleep on the fragrant hay below.

Dim shadows in the corner hide; 
the glimmering lantern's rays are shed
where one young lamb just lifts the head,
then huddles 'gainst his mother's side.

Strange silence lingers in the air; 
through a half-opened door, 
a bar of light from one low hanging star
touches a baby's radiant hair.

No sound the mother, kneeling,
lays her cheek against the little face.
Oh human, love! Oh heav'nly grace!
'tis yet in silence that she prays!

Ages of silence end tonight; 
then to the long expectant earth
glad angels come to greet his birth
in burst of music, love, and light.

--Margaret Deland

VII. Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella, 
bring a torch, to the cradle, run!
It is Jesus, good folk of the village, 
Christ is born, and Mary’s calling. 

Ah! Ah! Beautiful is the Mother!
Ah! Ah! Beautiful is her Son!

It is wrong when the child is sleeping, 
It is wrong to talk so loud; 
Silence all as you gather around,
Lest your noise should waken Jesus.

Hush! Hush! See how fast he slumbers; 
Hush! Hush! See how fast he sleeps!

Softly to the little stable,
Softly for a moment come;
Look and see how charming is Jesus,
How he is warm, his cheeks are rosy.

Hush! Hush! See how the child is sleeping;
Hush! Hush! See how he smiles in dreams.

--Provence, 17th cent.

VIII. For One Such As Me

The women of the village push past me and join their shepherds
to catch a glimpse of the wondrous child.
They take no notice of one such as me.
and yet I too shall follow the star
that rests over Bethlehem,
for the Child is all, and come for all,
even for one such as me. 

I stand apart from the others here to protect myself.
all too well I know my place,
the role assigned to one such as me. 
And yet I too heard the angel voice
that called us to Bethlehem, 
for the child is all, come for all, 
even for one such as me. 

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made!"
Or so it is written.
"I know full well your works are wonderful!"
Did David sing of one such as me? 

This hope I hold I hold as I join the throng
on the winding road to Bethlehem,
for the Child is all, and come for all, 
even for one such as me.

--Charles Anthony Silvestri 
© 2024 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.

IX. Recessional

Let the heights of heav'n adore him; 
angel hosts his praises sing;
pow'rs, dominions bow before him, 
and extol our God and king. 
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
ev'ry 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 unwearied praises be; 
honor, glory, and dominion, 
and eternal victory,
evermore and evermore.

--Prudentius, tr. J.M. Neale and H. W. Baker