Christmas 2009

Christmas Day
O Come all ye faithful
Glory be to God in heaven
Ps 95: Today a Saviour has been born – Nick Baty
Alleluia Veni Emmanuel – Nick Baty
While shepherds watched
Mass of Hope – Bernadette Farrell
Communion Song III – Paul Inwood
Coventry Carol
Bread of life – Bernadette Farrell
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

As in our custom, we teamed up with our sister parishes of Our Lady, Eldon Street and St Anthony, Scotland Road, for our Christmas Night Mass. After a warm-up singalong for assembly and choir, most of the lights went out and we began by candlelight. A fanfare of four trumpets, horn and trombone announced the start of the celebration. Our arrangement of Coventry Carol was a little unorthodox, to say the least, but was well received. By omitting the verse about Herod, we were able to turn it into a lullaby but – alas! – I'd told our choir ladies the real story behind the song and few were able to sing it dry-eyed!

We're lucky to have a band of friends – all professional musicians – who, although not regular members of our community, are more than happy to join us for the great festivals – and I'm not sure we thank them enough. So a huge thank you to Rona Robinson, Jayne Laird, Gaynor Laird, Brian McGregor, Cameron McGregor, Cliff Jones and John Davies for helping us to celebrate in such style.

Christmas Eve
At Our Lady’s, Eldon Street
O Holy Night – Adophe Adams
Jubilate Deo – WA Mozart
O Come all ye faithful
Glory be to God in heaven
Ps 95: Today a Saviour has been born – Nick Baty
Alleluia Gaudete – Christopher Walker
I saw three ships come sailing in
Mass of Hope – Bernadette Farrell
Agnus Graemus – Nick Baty
Coventry Carol – Medieval (arr NB)
Silent Night
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing