25 December 2015
| Carol | Once in royal David's city |
| Choir | On Jordan's bank (Monteverdi) |
| Carol | While shepherds watched |
| Choir | Peace Child (Bernadette Farrell) |
| Carol | O little town of Bethlehem |
| Choir | In the bleak midwinter (Holst) |
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| Entrance | O come all ye faithful |
| Penitential Rite | St Gabriel (mtgf) |
| Gloria | Christmas (Paul Gibson) |
| Psalm 95 | Today a Saviour has been born (Bernadette Farrell) |
| Gospel Acclamation | Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker) |
| Profession of Faith |
Credo III - Et incarnatus (Josquin) |
| Preparation of Gifts | What shall we give (Catalan arr. Dean) |
| Eucharistic Acclamations | Creation (Marty Haugen) |
| Lamb of God | Christmas (mtgf) |
| Communion Antiphon | The Word became flesh (mtgf) |
| Communion | Night of Silence/ Silent Night (Daniel Kantor) |
| Final | Hark the herald angels |
We learnt the lessons of last year and restored the readings and ended with a 'choir carol'. Both things are practical and about stamina. Continuous music beforehand, even with variety, is a little exhausting - so the readings provide a break (and, of course, have a value in themselves!). Finishing with an unaccompanied carol before the beginning of Mass allows for our organist to get to the organ. It was good to repeat Peace child from the carol service, The Monteverdi was i part suggested by our violinist being there. It is an adaptation of one his hymn settings from Selva morale e spirituale. To be honest the English text does not fit well - the mis accents are not interesting verbal syncopations.
We again repeated Credo III with the inserted Josquin. After a moment's hesitation the genuflection worked and though people were singing it is hard to gauge how well it is known to what is a 40%, I would guess, unfamiliar or annual congregation. I do need to make a note to include the responses as they were definitely uncertain.