WEBVTT
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Sunday worship service.
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December 23rd, 1979.
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Duke Chapel.
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(piano introduction begins)
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(treble choir singing in foreign language)
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(piano playing)
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♪ Rejoice, Rejoice ♪
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♪ O come, O come Emmanuel ♪
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♪ And random captive Israel ♪
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♪ That morns in lonely exile here ♪
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♪ Until the son of God appears ♪
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♪ Rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel ♪
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♪ Shall come to thee, O Israel ♪
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♪ What child is this who laid to rest ♪
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♪ On Mary's lap is sleeping ♪
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♪ Who angels greet with anthem sweet ♪
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♪ While shepherd's watch are keeping ♪
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♪ This, this is Christ the King ♪
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♪ Whom shepherds guard and angels keep ♪
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♪ This, this is Christ the King ♪
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♪ The babe, the son of Mary ♪
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♪ So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh ♪
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♪ Come peasant, King to own him ♪
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♪ The King of Kings salvation brings ♪
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♪ Let loving hearts enthrone him ♪
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♪ This, this is Christ the King ♪
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♪ Whom shepherds guard and angels sing ♪
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♪ This, this is Christ the King ♪
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♪ The babe, the son of Mary ♪
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♪ Lo, how a rose e'er blooming ♪
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♪ From tender stem hath sprung ♪
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♪ From Jesse's linage coming ♪
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♪ As men of old have sung ♪
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♪ It came a floweret bright ♪
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♪ Amid the cold of winter ♪
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♪ When half spent was the night ♪
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♪ Isaiah 'twas foretold it ♪
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♪ The Rose I have in mind ♪
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♪ With Mary we behold it ♪
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♪ The Virgin Mother kind ♪
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♪ To show God's love aright ♪
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♪ She bore to Him a Savior ♪
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♪ When half spent was the night ♪
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(piano introduction)
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(treble choral voices in foreign language)
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(piano introduction)
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(treble solo voice singing in foreign language)
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(piano introduction)
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♪ Silent night ♪
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♪ Holy night ♪
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♪ All is bright, all is light ♪
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♪ He, the only Father and Child. ♪
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♪ Heavn'ly (mumbles) ♪
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♪ Heavn'ly, heavn'ly peace ♪
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♪ Wrapped in heavenly peace ♪
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♪ Silent night ♪
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♪ Holy night ♪
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♪ No more (mumbles) ♪
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♪ No more (mumbles) ♪
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♪ Not a wise men as they dream ♪
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♪ Gives a homage to our King ♪
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♪ Jesus Christ our Lord ♪
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♪ Jesus Christ our Lord ♪
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♪ Silent night ♪
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♪ Holy night ♪
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♪ Holy babe, holy cross ♪
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♪ With the echo of holy dreams ♪
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♪ Alleluia to our King ♪
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♪ Christ the Savior is born ♪
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♪ Jesus, our Savior, is born ♪
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(organ music)
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(with the ccongregation) That we may clearly see
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the way to walk,
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the truth to speak, and the life to live for Him,
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our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Amen.
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(choir sings in foreign language)
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(organ introduction)
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♪ Oh come all ye faithful ♪
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♪ Joyful and triumphant ♪
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♪ Oh come, ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem ♪
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♪ Come and behold him, ♪
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♪ Born the king of angels ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Christ, the Lord ♪
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♪ Sing choirs of angels ♪
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♪ Sing in exultation ♪
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♪ Sing all ye citizens of Heaven above ♪
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♪ Glory to God in the highest ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Christ, the Lord ♪
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♪ Ye, Lord, we greet Thee ♪
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♪ Born this happy morning ♪
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♪ Jesus, to thee be, all Glory giv'n ♪
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♪ Son of the Father ♪
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♪ Now in flesh appearing ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Oh come let us adore him ♪
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♪ Christ, the Lord ♪
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♪ Amen ♪
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God has caused light to shine out of darkness,
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has caused light to shine in our hearts,
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and will cleanse us from our sins
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even as we have already been cleansed.
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Let us therefore make our confession to Almighty God.
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Let us pray.
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(leading the congregation) Oh Lord, in this season of hope
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and expectancy, we look at our lives
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and confess that we are in need
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of the miracle of your love and peace.
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We who claim to have heard the good news
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live our lives defensively.
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We are afraid to be made vulnerable by caring too deeply.
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We hide from pain, loneliness, and involvement.
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Our lives are full of disillusionment
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with people and politics.
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We have forgotten that joy and laughter
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are a part of your gift to us.
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Come to us in our fear and despair.
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Know us as we are.
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Feel our longing and hunger to be your faithful people.
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Let your love grow,
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through Jesus Christ, your son and our Savior.
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Let us continue our confession of our individual sins
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in the silence of our own hearts.
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(ambient coughing)
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The Lord is our light and our salvation.
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What have we to fear?
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Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, God has forgiven us,
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will strengthen us in all goodness,
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and will continue to keep us in this life
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and the world to come.
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Even as we are forgiven, let us forgive one another.
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Let us give thanks for God is good,
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and God's love is everlasting.
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(with congregation) Thanks be to God,
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whose love has created us.
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Thanks be to God, whose mercy forgives us.
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Thanks be to God, whose advent offers us hope.
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Amen.
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We welcome all of you,
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those present here in the congregation,
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and those joining us by radio, to this service.
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We are glad you have chosen to worship with us on this day.
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You are invited to attend a service of Lessons in Carols
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on Christmas Eve, tomorrow night,
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at 11 p.m. here in Duke Chapel.
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An instrumental prelude will begin at 10:30 p.m.
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This service will be broadcast live over WDBS,
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and will be televised over Channel 11.
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The preacher for today is the Reverend Robert T. Young,
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minister to the university.
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As always, we look forward to the message
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he will bring to us.
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Let us now continue our worship of Almighty God.
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Let us pray.
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Your word is near, oh Lord, our God.
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Your grace is near.
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Come to us now with power.
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Do not let us be deaf to your words
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or dense in our understanding, but make us receptive,
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and open on this day and every day and forever and ever,
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in the name of the one
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who opens the meaning of your love to us.
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Amen.
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The Old Testament lesson is from the fifth chapter of Micah,
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verses two to four.
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"But you, oh Bethlehem Ephrathah,
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"who are little to be among the clans of Judah,
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"from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler
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"in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
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"Therefore he shall give them up until the time
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"when she who is in travail has brought forth.
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"Then the rest of his brethren shall return
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"to the people of Israel, and he shall stand
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"and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
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"in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God,
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"and they shall dwell secure,
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"for now He shall be great to the ends of the Earth."
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The reading of the epistle
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is from the Letter to the Hebrews 10:5-10
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"Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
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"Sacrifices and offerings thou has not desired,
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"but a body hast thou prepared for men.
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"In burnt offerings and sin offerings,
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"thou has taken no pleasure.
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"Then I said Lo I have come to do thy will, oh God,
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"as it is written of me in the role of the book.
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"When he said above thou has neither desired
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"nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings
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"in burnt offerings and sin offerings,
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"these are offered according to the law.
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"Then he added lo, I have come to do thy will.
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"He abolishes the first in order to establish the second,
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"and by that will, we have been sanctified
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"through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
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"once for all."
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(organ introduction)
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♪ O holy night the stars are brightly shining ♪
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♪ It is the night of our dear Savior's birth ♪
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♪ Long lay the world in sin and error pining ♪
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♪ Til he appeared, and the soul felt its worth ♪
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♪ A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices ♪
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♪ For yonder wakes a new and glorious morn ♪
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♪ Fall on your knees ♪
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♪ O hear the angel voices ♪
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♪ O night divine ♪
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♪ O night when Christ was born ♪
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♪ O night ♪
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♪ Divine ♪
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♪ O night ♪
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♪ O night divine ♪
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(organ interlude)
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♪ Led by the light of faith serenely beaming ♪
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♪ With glowing hearts by his Credo we stand ♪
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♪ So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming ♪
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♪ Here came the Wise Men from the Orient land ♪
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♪ The King of Kings laid thus in lowly manger ♪
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♪ In all our trials, born to be our friend ♪
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♪ He knows our need ♪
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♪ To our weakness, no stranger ♪
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♪ Behold your King ♪
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♪ Before him lowly bend ♪
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♪ Behold your King ♪
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♪ Your King ♪
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♪ Before Him bend ♪
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(organ interlude)
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♪ Truly He taught us to love one another ♪
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♪ His law is love, and His gospel is peace ♪
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♪ Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother ♪
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♪ And in His name all oppression shall cease ♪
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♪ Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we ♪
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♪ Let all within us praise His holy name ♪
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♪ Christ is the Lord ♪
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♪ Then ever, ever praise we ♪
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♪ His power and glory evermore proclaim ♪
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♪ His power and glory evermore proclaim ♪
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The Gospel lesson is that according to St. Luke 1:46-56
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and 2:1-14.
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Would you please stand for the reading of the Gospel?
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(crowd standing)
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"My soul magnifies the Lord,
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"and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
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"for he has regarded the lowest state of his handmaiden.
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"For behold, henceforth all generations
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"will call me blessed,
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"for He, who is mighty, has done great things for me,
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"and Holy is his name.
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"And His mercy is on those who fear him
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"from generation to generation.
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"He has shown strength with His arm.
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"He has scattered the crowd
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"in the imagination of their hearts.
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"He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
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"and exalted those of low degree.
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"He has filled the hungry with good things,
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"and the rich He has sent empty away.
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"He has helped is servant, Israel,
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"in remembrance of His mercy as he spoke to our fathers,
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"to Abraham and his posterity forever.
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"And Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months
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"and then returned to her home.
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"In those days, a decree went out from Ceasar Augustus
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"that all the world should be enrolled.
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"This was the first enrollment,
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"when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
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"And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
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"And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
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"from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David,
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"which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house
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"and lineage of David,
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"to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed.
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"who was with child.
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"And while they were there, the time came
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"for her to be delivered,
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"and she gave birth to her first-born son,
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"and wrapped him in swaddling cloths,
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"and laid him in a manger
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"because there was no place for them in the inn.
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"And in that region there were shepherds out in the field,
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"keeping watch over their flock by night.
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00:43:39.057 --> 00:43:41.527
"And an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
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00:43:41.527 --> 00:43:44.517
"and the glory of the Lord shone round them,
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"and they were filled with fear.
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"And the angel said to them,
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"Be not afraid, for behold,
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"I bring you good news of a great joy
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"which shall come to all the people,
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"for to you is born this day, in the City of David,
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"a Savior who is Christ the Lord.
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"And this will be a sign for you.
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"You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths
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"and lying in a manger.
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"And suddenly there was, with the angel,
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"a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying
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"Glory to God in the highest,
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"and on earth, peace among people with whom He is pleased."
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Praise be to God.
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(organ introduction)
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♪ Gloria ♪
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♪ In excelsis deo ♪
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♪ Gloria ♪
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♪ In excelsis deo ♪
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May I just simply point out to you
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two errors in the bulletin
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that you may want to take note of.
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In case you look in the Old Testament
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for the Book of Michael, there is no such book.
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00:45:52.410 --> 00:45:53.723
It is Micah.
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00:45:55.040 --> 00:45:58.630
And I am aware that this is the year of our Lord 1979,
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rather than the year of our Lord 1980.
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I am no more eager for this to be 1980 than you are.
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A word of thanks to the members of the Durham Boy's Choir.
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Most of you heard them prior to the beginning of the service
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and have heard them already,
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00:46:26.800 --> 00:46:29.053
and we will be blessed to hear them again.
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Mr. Bill Graham and the members of the choir,
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00:46:32.310 --> 00:46:36.000
we welcome you to Duke Chapel and to this service.
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Again, as you celebrate with us, the meaning of Advent,
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and the meaning of Christmas,
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and David, thank you for a beautiful job with the solo.
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Grace to you and peace from our Lord and Savior,
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even Jesus the Christ.
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00:46:52.340 --> 00:46:55.943
Christmas is many things to all of us.
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It is many things to each of us.
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Expectation, disappointment, remembering,
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anticipating, hoping, longing.
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Christmas is words.
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It is music, song, celebration.
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00:47:14.600 --> 00:47:19.120
Christmas is mixed feelings, ambivalence,
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happy, sad, thankful, and regretful,
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00:47:27.340 --> 00:47:30.203
concern for self and concern for other.
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00:47:31.670 --> 00:47:34.433
Christmas is giving and receiving.
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00:47:36.130 --> 00:47:41.130
Christmas is real ecstasy, and, for some, despondency.
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00:47:44.370 --> 00:47:48.760
Christmas is, and you could complete that sentence as well,
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00:47:48.760 --> 00:47:50.883
or perhaps better, than I can.
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Christmas 1979 is almost here.
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And to understand Christmas in the year of our Lord 1979,
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I believe we must look again at Christmas
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in the year of our Lord one or in the year of our Lord five
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00:48:11.970 --> 00:48:15.523
when scholars say that Jesus probably was born.
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00:48:17.000 --> 00:48:19.700
Christmas is many things to all of us,
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many things to each of us,
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00:48:23.780 --> 00:48:27.197
but I want to proclaim to you this morning as I read,
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and as was read for us in the Gospel of Luke,
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as we heard about Mary's experiences
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00:48:37.380 --> 00:48:40.220
and the experiences of the shepherds.
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00:48:40.220 --> 00:48:45.220
In our Gospel lesson for today, I want to proclaim...
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I started to say "loudly,"
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00:48:48.140 --> 00:48:52.380
but perhaps "calmly" is a better word.
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00:48:52.380 --> 00:48:55.710
I want to proclaim calmly and clearly
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00:48:57.010 --> 00:49:02.010
that Christmas is that experience of being surprised by joy.
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The joy of the coming of the Lord.
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The coming of Emmanuel, that is God with us.
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The coming of the Messiah, Savior, Christ.
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My dear friends, the coming of your Lord and my Lord.
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That, I believe, is Christmas.
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Surprise, which comes to us as joy.
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00:49:37.250 --> 00:49:42.250
Cause for real, deep and lasting rejoicing.
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00:49:44.490 --> 00:49:46.060
And as I thought about these words,
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and as I have written these words,
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and as I have read them over and over several times,
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I feel, and feel very deeply,
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00:49:55.670 --> 00:49:59.680
that we need an experience of joy today.
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Oh how very much we need it.
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00:50:04.270 --> 00:50:08.773
The world, in many ways, is really one big hell-hole,
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00:50:10.470 --> 00:50:12.730
a quagmire of fighting, and bickering,
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and sin, and lust, and envy, and hatred.
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Where almost everything horrible and imaginable
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00:50:22.200 --> 00:50:24.620
has been done, or is being done, by us
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00:50:24.620 --> 00:50:26.893
and our fellow human beings in the world.
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00:50:29.970 --> 00:50:34.790
W.H. Auden describes this world in his brief poem
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00:50:34.790 --> 00:50:36.143
entitled A Shock,
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00:50:37.730 --> 00:50:42.423
He writes, "Houseman was perfectly right.
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00:50:44.457 --> 00:50:47.363
"Our world rapidly worsens.
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00:50:50.077 --> 00:50:53.110
"Nothing now is so horrid
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00:50:55.097 --> 00:50:59.947
"or silly that it cannot occur."
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00:51:05.650 --> 00:51:08.550
We who live in the year of our Lord 1979
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00:51:08.550 --> 00:51:12.033
do know now, as perhaps never before,
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00:51:13.930 --> 00:51:16.930
that nothing within the mind or heart of human beings,
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00:51:16.930 --> 00:51:20.653
nothing that can be imagined or conceived or dreamed of,
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00:51:21.950 --> 00:51:25.490
nothing is really so horrid or so silly
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00:51:27.570 --> 00:51:30.610
that it has not occurred, or is not occurring,
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00:51:30.610 --> 00:51:33.543
or cannot occur on the face of this Earth.
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00:51:35.890 --> 00:51:40.540
We have seen and know of the most horrid and silly ways
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00:51:40.540 --> 00:51:44.563
that human beings can possibly behave.
392
00:51:46.780 --> 00:51:51.780
So that's why I believe this morning we need a word of joy.
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00:51:53.240 --> 00:51:55.510
I guess I believe that at least once a year
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00:51:55.510 --> 00:52:00.240
we need to be reminded that God was in Christ,
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00:52:00.240 --> 00:52:03.050
that the Word has become flesh,
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00:52:03.050 --> 00:52:06.740
that unto you that is unto us is born a Savior
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that you shall call his name Jesus,
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for he will save his people from their sins.
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00:52:19.780 --> 00:52:23.810
We do need to be reminded, perhaps more often than we are,
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00:52:23.810 --> 00:52:28.810
but at least once a year of God's coming to us.
401
00:52:31.170 --> 00:52:34.380
Murray Bodo, Roman Catholic priest, writes
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00:52:35.897 --> 00:52:40.897
"Everyone who turns to God, at one time or another,
403
00:52:40.957 --> 00:52:44.963
"asks oneself if God is,
404
00:52:46.017 --> 00:52:48.937
"or if one is really deceiving oneself
405
00:52:48.937 --> 00:52:52.363
"in order to explain one's own unfulfilled life.
406
00:52:54.567 --> 00:52:57.967
"And then subtly, in ways one did not expect,
407
00:52:57.967 --> 00:53:02.037
"the Lord comes to one, pleadingly,
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00:53:02.037 --> 00:53:04.857
"to keep alive the longing and the hope
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00:53:04.857 --> 00:53:06.507
"of the life to come."
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00:53:07.540 --> 00:53:10.240
God never comes on our own terms,
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00:53:10.240 --> 00:53:14.537
but in his own time and place.
412
00:53:14.537 --> 00:53:19.537
"And his appearance," Bodo says, "is always a surprise."
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00:53:19.810 --> 00:53:22.640
No one ever sees God, of course,
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00:53:22.640 --> 00:53:26.200
but we see the shadows of his passing through our lives
415
00:53:26.200 --> 00:53:29.323
in the things that change that we never thought would,
416
00:53:30.820 --> 00:53:34.933
in the prayers that are answered in ways we never expected,
417
00:53:35.810 --> 00:53:37.420
in a new level of maturity
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00:53:37.420 --> 00:53:40.623
that we knew we couldn't have arrived at alone,
419
00:53:41.740 --> 00:53:44.600
and once again, our faith is enkindled,
420
00:53:44.600 --> 00:53:48.440
and we begin to hope for more, for a sound in the air,
421
00:53:48.440 --> 00:53:52.197
for a sign unmistakable and clear.
422
00:53:52.197 --> 00:53:57.177
"God is a lover," he continues, "and God leads us artfully,
423
00:53:57.177 --> 00:54:00.957
"attracting us, then showering us with blessings,
424
00:54:00.957 --> 00:54:04.047
"then withdrawing to start the process
425
00:54:04.047 --> 00:54:08.253
"all over again on a new level.
426
00:54:09.167 --> 00:54:14.123
"Everyone asks, at one time or another, if God is.
427
00:54:16.427 --> 00:54:20.127
"God never comes on our own terms.
428
00:54:20.127 --> 00:54:23.417
"And then, subtly, in ways one did not expect,
429
00:54:23.417 --> 00:54:28.417
"the Lord comes, and his appearance is always a surprise."
430
00:54:31.820 --> 00:54:34.410
In his book entitled Christian Wholeness,
431
00:54:34.410 --> 00:54:37.460
Tom Langford, Dean of the Divinity School,
432
00:54:37.460 --> 00:54:40.060
quotes August Bournonville,
433
00:54:40.060 --> 00:54:44.550
late leader of the Royal Danish ballet.
434
00:54:44.550 --> 00:54:45.940
As having said some words
435
00:54:45.940 --> 00:54:49.270
that I think are aptly and beautifully descriptive
436
00:54:49.270 --> 00:54:51.423
of what Christmas is all about,
437
00:54:54.030 --> 00:54:59.030
noble simplicity will always be beautiful.
438
00:55:02.810 --> 00:55:06.160
It seems to me that that is the message of Christmas.
439
00:55:06.160 --> 00:55:10.280
The whole experience is one of noble simplicity
440
00:55:10.280 --> 00:55:12.850
when God surprises us with the joy
441
00:55:12.850 --> 00:55:15.790
which God has to give to us.
442
00:55:15.790 --> 00:55:17.210
Noble simplicity.
443
00:55:17.210 --> 00:55:18.270
That is Christmas.
444
00:55:18.270 --> 00:55:22.013
Christmas A.D. 1, or A.D. 5, or A.D. 79, or A.D. 1980.
445
00:55:26.300 --> 00:55:28.240
Noble simplicity.
446
00:55:28.240 --> 00:55:29.443
Husband, wife.
447
00:55:30.550 --> 00:55:35.550
Pregnant woman walking, paying taxes, resting at night.
448
00:55:36.070 --> 00:55:37.250
Simple place.
449
00:55:37.250 --> 00:55:38.750
Simple people.
450
00:55:38.750 --> 00:55:40.760
Simple tasks to do.
451
00:55:40.760 --> 00:55:42.553
Simple roles to play.
452
00:55:43.720 --> 00:55:45.003
A mother's pain.
453
00:55:47.020 --> 00:55:48.883
A father's anxiety.
454
00:55:50.370 --> 00:55:53.510
A baby's birth, a baby's cry.
455
00:55:53.510 --> 00:55:55.260
A baby is born in the night,
456
00:55:55.260 --> 00:56:00.163
and the world was never, never, ever to be the same again.
457
00:56:02.280 --> 00:56:04.910
God used, and God uses, the ordinary,
458
00:56:04.910 --> 00:56:07.330
the common, the everyday to say
459
00:56:07.330 --> 00:56:09.793
this is the way I love you,
460
00:56:11.100 --> 00:56:13.543
to surprise us with joy.
461
00:56:16.870 --> 00:56:17.703
So.
462
00:56:19.320 --> 00:56:22.953
This, it seems to me, is what Christmas is all about.
463
00:56:24.400 --> 00:56:27.990
Those times, and those occasions, those experiences
464
00:56:27.990 --> 00:56:31.023
when God surprises us with joy.
465
00:56:32.010 --> 00:56:34.970
So I wanna look at these two experiences
466
00:56:34.970 --> 00:56:38.010
of Mary and of the shepherds,
467
00:56:38.010 --> 00:56:42.550
and see what it is in these experiences that tell us of joy,
468
00:56:42.550 --> 00:56:45.410
of celebration, of rejoicing,
469
00:56:45.410 --> 00:56:47.200
and see if they have a word for us
470
00:56:47.200 --> 00:56:49.420
in the year of our Lord 1979.
471
00:56:49.420 --> 00:56:52.980
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God
472
00:56:52.980 --> 00:56:55.340
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
473
00:56:55.340 --> 00:56:58.840
to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph
474
00:56:58.840 --> 00:57:02.083
of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
475
00:57:03.234 --> 00:57:05.067
He came to her and said, "Hail, oh favored one.
476
00:57:05.067 --> 00:57:06.977
"The Lord is with you."
477
00:57:08.237 --> 00:57:10.650
And she was greatly troubled at this saying,
478
00:57:10.650 --> 00:57:12.610
and considered in her mind what sort of greeting
479
00:57:12.610 --> 00:57:14.687
this might be, and the angel said to her,
480
00:57:14.687 --> 00:57:19.687
"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God,
481
00:57:19.777 --> 00:57:22.707
"and behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
482
00:57:22.707 --> 00:57:25.320
"and you shall call his name Jesus."
483
00:57:25.320 --> 00:57:28.030
Mary said, "How can this be since I have no husband?
484
00:57:28.030 --> 00:57:29.587
And the angel said to her,
485
00:57:29.587 --> 00:57:32.810
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you."
486
00:57:32.810 --> 00:57:37.810
Mary's response is, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
487
00:57:38.097 --> 00:57:40.770
"Let it be to me according to your word."
488
00:57:40.770 --> 00:57:42.683
And the angel departed from her.
489
00:57:43.750 --> 00:57:46.280
And in those days, Mary arose, and went with haste
490
00:57:46.280 --> 00:57:48.740
into the hill country to a city of Judah,
491
00:57:48.740 --> 00:57:50.550
and she entered the house of Zachariah
492
00:57:50.550 --> 00:57:52.263
and greeted Elizabeth.
493
00:57:56.293 --> 00:57:58.927
And Elizabeth's response to her coming was,
494
00:57:58.927 --> 00:58:01.467
"Blessed are you among women,
495
00:58:01.467 --> 00:58:04.620
"and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
496
00:58:04.620 --> 00:58:09.607
Mary's response in the presence of Elizabeth is,
497
00:58:09.607 --> 00:58:13.517
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
498
00:58:13.517 --> 00:58:18.047
"and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
499
00:58:18.047 --> 00:58:21.967
"for he has regarded the lowest state of his handmaiden.
500
00:58:21.967 --> 00:58:24.857
"He who is mighty has done great things for me,
501
00:58:24.857 --> 00:58:26.897
"and Holy is his name,
502
00:58:26.897 --> 00:58:29.427
"and His mercy is on those who fear Him
503
00:58:29.427 --> 00:58:32.067
"from generation to generation.
504
00:58:32.067 --> 00:58:35.007
"He has shown strength with His arm.
505
00:58:35.007 --> 00:58:38.247
"He has exalted those of low degree.
506
00:58:38.247 --> 00:58:41.387
"He has filled the hungry with good things.
507
00:58:41.387 --> 00:58:44.177
"He has helped his servant, Israel."
508
00:58:45.190 --> 00:58:48.100
Mary's experience with the angel of God,
509
00:58:48.100 --> 00:58:51.653
and her response to that coming.
510
00:58:54.650 --> 00:58:56.363
And then Luke continues.
511
00:58:57.240 --> 00:59:00.393
As he tells about this experience of the shepherds.
512
00:59:02.567 --> 00:59:05.017
"In that region, there were shepherds out in the field
513
00:59:05.017 --> 00:59:07.790
"keeping watch over their flock by night,
514
00:59:07.790 --> 00:59:09.647
"when an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
515
00:59:09.647 --> 00:59:12.947
"and the glory of the Lord shone around them.
516
00:59:12.947 --> 00:59:15.473
"The angel said to them, Be not afraid.
517
00:59:17.657 --> 00:59:21.927
"but behold, I bring you good news of great joy
518
00:59:21.927 --> 00:59:25.407
"which will come to all the people,
519
00:59:25.407 --> 00:59:28.857
"for to you is born this day, in the City of David,
520
00:59:28.857 --> 00:59:31.633
"a Savior who is Christ, the Lord.
521
00:59:32.837 --> 00:59:34.527
"This will be a sign for you.
522
00:59:34.527 --> 00:59:37.187
"You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths
523
00:59:37.187 --> 00:59:39.507
"and lying in a manger.
524
00:59:39.507 --> 00:59:41.197
"Suddenly there was, with the angel,
525
00:59:41.197 --> 00:59:44.857
"a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying,
526
00:59:44.857 --> 00:59:47.067
"Glory to God in the highest,
527
00:59:47.067 --> 00:59:52.067
"and on Earth, peace among those with whom God is pleased.
528
00:59:52.217 --> 00:59:53.377
"When the angels went away,
529
00:59:53.377 --> 00:59:55.177
"the shepherds said to one another,
530
00:59:55.177 --> 00:59:56.807
"Let us go over to Bethlehem
531
00:59:56.807 --> 00:59:58.407
"and see this thing that is happened
532
00:59:58.407 --> 01:00:01.227
"which the Lord has made known to us.
533
01:00:01.227 --> 01:00:03.047
"And they went with haste,
534
01:00:03.047 --> 01:00:07.137
"and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger."
535
01:00:11.970 --> 01:00:16.963
And then this passage ends with Luke saying,
536
01:00:18.127 --> 01:00:23.127
"After the shepherds had seen this babe lying in a manger,
537
01:00:24.562 --> 01:00:28.827
"and the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God
538
01:00:30.167 --> 01:00:33.657
"for all that they had heard and seen."
539
01:00:37.300 --> 01:00:38.133
Joy.
540
01:00:39.360 --> 01:00:43.303
Absolute, unadulterated joy.
541
01:00:45.320 --> 01:00:48.650
It's something like an experience that I had recently
542
01:00:48.650 --> 01:00:53.020
when, after the Saturday luncheon
543
01:00:53.020 --> 01:00:54.570
with the Friends at the chapel,
544
01:00:55.540 --> 01:00:56.420
and a faculty member,
545
01:00:56.420 --> 01:00:58.840
who is a member of the Friends of Duke Chapel,
546
01:00:58.840 --> 01:01:03.050
and I were walking from the luncheon over here to the chapel
547
01:01:03.050 --> 01:01:06.283
for the Saturday afternoon performance of Messiah.
548
01:01:07.890 --> 01:01:11.040
We were walking along, and the crowd was coming in.
549
01:01:11.040 --> 01:01:12.990
People with excited, expectant,
550
01:01:12.990 --> 01:01:16.670
enthusiastic, warm, radiant expressions on their face,
551
01:01:16.670 --> 01:01:20.733
knowing that a real blessing was just in store for them.
552
01:01:22.080 --> 01:01:25.170
Beautiful day outside, so as we walked, we looked around.
553
01:01:25.170 --> 01:01:26.360
We saw these people.
554
01:01:26.360 --> 01:01:29.800
We saw the expectancy and the joy on their faces.
555
01:01:29.800 --> 01:01:31.120
Looked up and saw the two big,
556
01:01:31.120 --> 01:01:33.850
beautiful wreathes on the front of the chapel.
557
01:01:33.850 --> 01:01:36.680
Walked on inside and stood at the back for just a moment
558
01:01:36.680 --> 01:01:40.130
and saw the advent wreath and beautiful poinsettias.
559
01:01:40.130 --> 01:01:43.867
I said, "Boy, this is some great time of year."
560
01:01:46.190 --> 01:01:49.107
And the faculty member turned to me and said,
561
01:01:49.107 --> 01:01:50.717
"Yes.
562
01:01:50.717 --> 01:01:55.717
"For me, Advent, Christmas is the one time of the year
563
01:01:59.297 --> 01:02:04.157
"when I feel I experience sheer joy."
564
01:02:08.010 --> 01:02:09.623
Sheer joy.
565
01:02:11.790 --> 01:02:14.550
And I believe it is, my friends.
566
01:02:14.550 --> 01:02:17.760
Even in the midst of personal hurt or sadness,
567
01:02:17.760 --> 01:02:19.060
or loss or pain.
568
01:02:19.060 --> 01:02:20.850
Whatever we may be suffering
569
01:02:20.850 --> 01:02:22.840
Or even in the midst of a world today
570
01:02:22.840 --> 01:02:24.320
that is torn, and bickering,
571
01:02:24.320 --> 01:02:26.220
and fighting, and filled with hatred.
572
01:02:26.220 --> 01:02:27.937
There is a word from God which says,
573
01:02:27.937 --> 01:02:30.807
"I come to you to bring you joy.
574
01:02:30.807 --> 01:02:33.537
"That your life may be full."
575
01:02:35.300 --> 01:02:36.850
And so I wanna say just a word
576
01:02:36.850 --> 01:02:39.750
about the joy that these folks experienced.
577
01:02:39.750 --> 01:02:43.013
That Mary experienced and the shepherds experienced,
578
01:02:44.810 --> 01:02:46.520
and see if it has anything to do
579
01:02:46.520 --> 01:02:50.050
with the possibility of what you and I may experience.
580
01:02:50.050 --> 01:02:52.950
The first is that joy from God
581
01:02:52.950 --> 01:02:57.393
often comes to unlikely people in unlikely places.
582
01:03:00.300 --> 01:03:03.530
Who would ever have imagined that an angel of the Lord
583
01:03:03.530 --> 01:03:06.020
would have come to a 14 or 15 year-old girl
584
01:03:06.020 --> 01:03:07.863
named Mary in Nazareth?
585
01:03:11.740 --> 01:03:12.573
But it did.
586
01:03:14.400 --> 01:03:15.830
Who would ever have imagined
587
01:03:17.300 --> 01:03:19.940
that a multitude of the hosts of God,
588
01:03:19.940 --> 01:03:23.060
whatever it was, whoever it was, however it came,
589
01:03:23.060 --> 01:03:25.250
that this experience with God would have come
590
01:03:25.250 --> 01:03:28.080
to a group of shepherds out on the side of a hill
591
01:03:29.250 --> 01:03:30.303
late at night?
592
01:03:32.730 --> 01:03:33.563
But it did.
593
01:03:35.790 --> 01:03:38.670
We have absolutely no way of knowing,
594
01:03:38.670 --> 01:03:41.520
certainly no way of controlling,
595
01:03:41.520 --> 01:03:44.293
surely no way of predicting,
596
01:03:46.420 --> 01:03:50.090
how, and when, and where, and to whom
597
01:03:51.400 --> 01:03:54.993
the joy, which comes from God, may be experienced.
598
01:03:57.040 --> 01:04:02.040
Joy rejoicing is that experience which comes from God
599
01:04:02.310 --> 01:04:07.163
to unlikely people in unlikely places.
600
01:04:09.900 --> 01:04:12.990
Second thing I think about this is that rejoicing
601
01:04:12.990 --> 01:04:17.990
in the grace of God is very, very personal.
602
01:04:25.320 --> 01:04:28.193
It's hard to rejoice secondhand.
603
01:04:30.550 --> 01:04:33.560
Vicarious rejoicing is hardly
604
01:04:33.560 --> 01:04:36.133
any rejoicing at all, isn't it?
605
01:04:38.490 --> 01:04:42.703
If rejoicing is not personal, then what is it to be?
606
01:04:45.560 --> 01:04:50.560
Mary, young maiden, heart singing, life-filled,
607
01:04:51.490 --> 01:04:54.027
joy-filled, full and overflowing,
608
01:04:54.027 --> 01:04:57.253
"My soul magnifies the Lord," she says.
609
01:04:58.650 --> 01:04:59.543
Very personal.
610
01:05:00.900 --> 01:05:01.823
The shepherds.
611
01:05:04.380 --> 01:05:06.043
The angel came to them.
612
01:05:07.100 --> 01:05:09.670
The hosts sang to them.
613
01:05:09.670 --> 01:05:12.037
Their response was, "Not let us wait here.
614
01:05:12.037 --> 01:05:14.587
"Let us see what things look like in the morning,
615
01:05:14.587 --> 01:05:18.317
"but let us go with haste unto Bethlehem."
616
01:05:22.750 --> 01:05:26.450
Is there really any other way to know the fullness
617
01:05:26.450 --> 01:05:29.080
and the goodness of God's love and grace
618
01:05:29.080 --> 01:05:32.383
other than through one's personal experience?
619
01:05:35.080 --> 01:05:36.870
Rejoicing then, it seems to me,
620
01:05:36.870 --> 01:05:39.863
is to be very, very personal.
621
01:05:41.550 --> 01:05:42.860
A third thing, it seems to me,
622
01:05:42.860 --> 01:05:45.860
that comes through loudly and clearly here,
623
01:05:45.860 --> 01:05:49.253
is that rejoicing is to be shared.
624
01:05:51.260 --> 01:05:54.193
Do you notice how Mary could not stay by herself?
625
01:05:55.030 --> 01:05:57.960
She had to go and be with somebody.
626
01:05:57.960 --> 01:06:00.330
She had to share her experience.
627
01:06:00.330 --> 01:06:03.830
She had good news that she wanted to tell somebody,
628
01:06:03.830 --> 01:06:06.610
and let somebody know what had happened to her.
629
01:06:06.610 --> 01:06:09.400
She had to sing and celebrate and rejoice,
630
01:06:09.400 --> 01:06:12.593
and that's hard to do all by yourself, isn't it?
631
01:06:14.010 --> 01:06:18.530
The shepherds, after seeing and hearing the angels,
632
01:06:18.530 --> 01:06:21.290
getting together, made up their minds and moved,
633
01:06:21.290 --> 01:06:23.713
and they saw the baby Jesus.
634
01:06:24.590 --> 01:06:27.230
After they had seen and experienced the fullness
635
01:06:27.230 --> 01:06:30.200
of God's grace in the message that had come to them,
636
01:06:30.200 --> 01:06:33.970
and the revelation which they had seen in the child, Jesus,
637
01:06:33.970 --> 01:06:35.670
what was the response?
638
01:06:35.670 --> 01:06:38.530
Not to keep it to themselves, but to return,
639
01:06:38.530 --> 01:06:40.450
glorifying and praising God
640
01:06:40.450 --> 01:06:42.570
for all that they had seen and heard.
641
01:06:42.570 --> 01:06:45.850
It's hard to rejoice or to celebrate or to know joy,
642
01:06:45.850 --> 01:06:47.980
and to keep it to one's self, isn't it?
643
01:06:47.980 --> 01:06:52.173
You ever try to celebrate your birthday all by yourself?
644
01:06:55.150 --> 01:06:59.460
Rejoicing is intended to be shared,
645
01:06:59.460 --> 01:07:02.170
and so was the message which came to Mary
646
01:07:02.170 --> 01:07:06.593
and the message which came to the shepherds.
647
01:07:07.730 --> 01:07:10.763
Joy, celebration, rejoicing.
648
01:07:11.600 --> 01:07:14.630
To unlikely people in unlikely places.
649
01:07:14.630 --> 01:07:18.203
Very, very personal, and to be shared.
650
01:07:19.427 --> 01:07:22.127
"Christmas," the faulty member said to me,
651
01:07:22.127 --> 01:07:24.493
"is my time of year.
652
01:07:26.127 --> 01:07:30.577
"It is the one time of year that is sheer excitement.
653
01:07:30.577 --> 01:07:32.177
"Sheer joy."
654
01:07:33.070 --> 01:07:35.570
And we all want that, don't we?
655
01:07:35.570 --> 01:07:37.960
We want one time of the year, at least,
656
01:07:37.960 --> 01:07:42.830
when we can know sheer, unadulterated joy,
657
01:07:42.830 --> 01:07:44.830
when life is pure,
658
01:07:44.830 --> 01:07:48.313
when we know and sense and experience the Holy.
659
01:07:49.580 --> 01:07:51.920
I guess that is part of the reason
660
01:07:51.920 --> 01:07:54.380
that we never give up hoping,
661
01:07:54.380 --> 01:07:57.590
praying, that Christmas will come.
662
01:07:57.590 --> 01:07:58.920
Maybe not last year,
663
01:07:58.920 --> 01:08:01.250
but surely Christmas will come this year.
664
01:08:01.250 --> 01:08:04.273
If not this year, then surely next year.
665
01:08:05.680 --> 01:08:10.680
This year, surely we will know joy.
666
01:08:12.150 --> 01:08:15.470
We will find and know purity of life.
667
01:08:15.470 --> 01:08:17.050
We will know and experience
668
01:08:17.050 --> 01:08:19.700
the Holy, the good, the just, the right.
669
01:08:19.700 --> 01:08:23.870
There seems to be an insatiable longing and yearning
670
01:08:23.870 --> 01:08:26.947
deep down inside of us that does keep praying,
671
01:08:26.947 --> 01:08:28.547
"Come, Lord Jesus.
672
01:08:28.547 --> 01:08:30.810
"Come quickly, Lord Jesus."
673
01:08:30.810 --> 01:08:34.007
They keep singing, "Oh come, oh come Emmanuel.
674
01:08:34.007 --> 01:08:38.580
"Oh come and cheer our spirits by thine Advent here."
675
01:08:38.580 --> 01:08:41.087
This is why we sing again, and say again,
676
01:08:41.087 --> 01:08:43.647
"Come, thou long-expected Jesus.
677
01:08:43.647 --> 01:08:46.717
"From our fears and sins release us."
678
01:08:47.980 --> 01:08:51.890
This is why the words of Joseph Moore's lines touch us
679
01:08:53.260 --> 01:08:56.353
and revive our hopes again for this year.
680
01:08:58.780 --> 01:09:01.853
Silent night, holy night.
681
01:09:04.190 --> 01:09:08.790
All is calm, all is bright.
682
01:09:08.790 --> 01:09:12.223
Round, yon virgin, mother and child.
683
01:09:13.320 --> 01:09:17.643
Holy infant, so tender and mild.
684
01:09:19.340 --> 01:09:22.193
Sleep in heavenly peace.
685
01:09:23.590 --> 01:09:26.853
Sleep in heavenly peace.
686
01:09:29.170 --> 01:09:32.053
Silent night, holy night.
687
01:09:34.140 --> 01:09:38.913
Son of God, love's pure light.
688
01:09:41.320 --> 01:09:44.533
Radiant beams from thy holy face.
689
01:09:46.970 --> 01:09:49.463
With the dawn of redeeming grace.
690
01:09:50.690 --> 01:09:53.833
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
691
01:09:55.760 --> 01:10:00.143
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
692
01:10:03.120 --> 01:10:05.623
For to you is born this day,
693
01:10:09.423 --> 01:10:10.483
in the City of David,
694
01:10:12.680 --> 01:10:13.513
a Savior
695
01:10:15.090 --> 01:10:17.293
who is Christ, the Lord.
696
01:10:19.220 --> 01:10:20.053
To you,
697
01:10:21.600 --> 01:10:22.433
and to you,
698
01:10:24.210 --> 01:10:25.043
and to you.
699
01:10:26.500 --> 01:10:27.333
Come.
700
01:10:28.640 --> 01:10:31.543
Let us go to Bethlehem,
701
01:10:33.090 --> 01:10:36.943
to see this which has come to pass.
702
01:10:39.660 --> 01:10:40.493
Let us pray.
703
01:10:45.150 --> 01:10:46.343
Almighty God,
704
01:10:47.450 --> 01:10:49.003
God of power.
705
01:10:51.350 --> 01:10:54.393
We praise you for Jesus the Christ,
706
01:10:55.670 --> 01:11:00.670
who came to love us and to bring us everlasting life.
707
01:11:02.630 --> 01:11:04.670
We thank you in this moment, oh God,
708
01:11:04.670 --> 01:11:09.670
for the prophet's hope, for the angel's and Mary's songs,
709
01:11:11.880 --> 01:11:14.163
for the birth in Bethlehem.
710
01:11:15.530 --> 01:11:19.120
We thank you that in Jesus the Christ, you came to us,
711
01:11:19.120 --> 01:11:22.833
sharing our human hurts and our pleasures.
712
01:11:25.280 --> 01:11:28.210
And so we say, oh God, glory be to you,
713
01:11:28.210 --> 01:11:29.963
for your boundless love.
714
01:11:31.060 --> 01:11:34.360
Glory to you, eternal God,
715
01:11:34.360 --> 01:11:39.360
through Jesus Christ who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings,
716
01:11:41.380 --> 01:11:43.223
forever and ever,
717
01:11:44.220 --> 01:11:45.053
Amen.
718
01:11:48.530 --> 01:11:51.823
I'd like to share a personal word at this moment, if I may.
719
01:11:57.100 --> 01:11:59.423
This morning, just a little after 8 o'clock,
720
01:12:00.500 --> 01:12:02.783
Dr. Jay Phillips died.
721
01:12:06.090 --> 01:12:11.003
Many of you know of him, have heard of him,
722
01:12:12.440 --> 01:12:17.440
and share with me the sadness that this word brings.
723
01:12:20.860 --> 01:12:23.363
Jay Phillips and his wife, Alice,
724
01:12:24.800 --> 01:12:28.033
are beloved by all who know them.
725
01:12:29.800 --> 01:12:32.380
Dr. Phillips was, for a time,
726
01:12:32.380 --> 01:12:34.443
Chaplain to the University here,
727
01:12:35.570 --> 01:12:39.550
and for many years served as professor of religion
728
01:12:39.550 --> 01:12:41.700
in the Department of Religion here at Duke.
729
01:12:45.060 --> 01:12:47.480
I think it must be said
730
01:12:49.210 --> 01:12:54.210
that he surely was one of the most beloved professors
731
01:12:55.860 --> 01:12:58.940
by all the students who ever had him
732
01:12:58.940 --> 01:13:01.483
that I think this University has ever had.
733
01:13:04.840 --> 01:13:07.763
Alice and he loved this chapel.
734
01:13:09.420 --> 01:13:11.770
They worshiped with us every Sunday morning,
735
01:13:11.770 --> 01:13:14.020
even though they were not here in the chapel.
736
01:13:15.430 --> 01:13:17.920
And so, it is with a heavy heart
737
01:13:17.920 --> 01:13:19.450
that I share that word with you,
738
01:13:19.450 --> 01:13:21.620
but all of you who know Jay and Alice
739
01:13:21.620 --> 01:13:23.393
will want to know of that.
740
01:13:26.140 --> 01:13:28.020
The funeral service for Jay
741
01:13:28.020 --> 01:13:32.423
will be on Wednesday at 2 o'clock here in the chapel.
742
01:13:34.690 --> 01:13:36.683
During this Holy season,
743
01:13:38.200 --> 01:13:41.743
when we remember the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
744
01:13:42.760 --> 01:13:47.213
I ask you to remember Jay with thanksgiving,
745
01:13:48.452 --> 01:13:50.200
and to remember Alice and their family
746
01:13:50.200 --> 01:13:52.403
with your love and your prayers,
747
01:13:53.540 --> 01:13:56.530
and to God be the glory,
748
01:13:56.530 --> 01:13:58.053
now and forever.
749
01:13:59.380 --> 01:14:03.030
Our hymn is Hark, The Herald Angels Sing,
750
01:14:03.030 --> 01:14:08.030
which will be sung to tune number 388 rather than 387.
751
01:14:08.430 --> 01:14:10.320
Let us stand as we sing.
752
01:14:10.320 --> 01:14:13.403
(organ introduction)
753
01:14:56.115 --> 01:15:00.801
♪ Hark, the herald angels sing ♪
754
01:15:00.801 --> 01:15:05.801
♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪
755
01:15:05.810 --> 01:15:10.733
♪ Peace on Earth and mercy mild ♪
756
01:15:10.733 --> 01:15:15.508
♪ God and sinners reconciled ♪
757
01:15:15.508 --> 01:15:20.295
♪ Joyful all ye nations rise ♪
758
01:15:20.295 --> 01:15:25.184
♪ Join the triumph of the skies ♪
759
01:15:25.184 --> 01:15:30.116
♪ With angelic hosts proclaim ♪
760
01:15:30.116 --> 01:15:35.116
♪ Christ is born in Bethlehem ♪
761
01:15:35.276 --> 01:15:40.268
♪ Hark, the herald angels sing ♪
762
01:15:40.268 --> 01:15:45.268
♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪
763
01:15:49.991 --> 01:15:54.893
♪ Christ by highest heav'n adored ♪
764
01:15:54.893 --> 01:15:59.893
♪ Christ the everlasting Lord ♪
765
01:16:00.054 --> 01:16:05.054
♪ Late in time behold Him come ♪
766
01:16:05.118 --> 01:16:10.118
♪ Offspring of a Virgin's womb ♪
767
01:16:10.445 --> 01:16:15.262
♪ Veiled in flesh the Godhead see ♪
768
01:16:15.262 --> 01:16:20.262
♪ Hail the incarnate Deity ♪
769
01:16:20.295 --> 01:16:25.295
♪ Pleased as man with us to dwell ♪
770
01:16:25.574 --> 01:16:30.574
♪ Jesus, our Emmanuel ♪
771
01:16:30.743 --> 01:16:35.743
♪ Hark, the herald angels sing ♪
772
01:16:36.020 --> 01:16:41.020
♪ Glory to the newborn King ♪
773
01:16:45.111 --> 01:16:50.111
♪ Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace ♪
774
01:16:50.288 --> 01:16:55.288
♪ Hail the Son of Righteousness ♪
775
01:16:55.749 --> 01:17:00.708
♪ Light and life to all He brings ♪
776
01:17:00.708 --> 01:17:05.708
♪ Ris'n with healing in His wings ♪
777
01:17:05.749 --> 01:17:10.749
♪ Mild he lays his glory by ♪
778
01:17:10.863 --> 01:17:15.863
♪ Born that man no more may die ♪
779
01:17:16.173 --> 01:17:20.340
♪ Born to raise the sons of Earth ♪
780
01:17:21.318 --> 01:17:24.901
(organ drowns out singing)
781
01:17:26.516 --> 01:17:30.349
♪ Hark the herald angels sing ♪
782
01:17:31.999 --> 01:17:35.582
(organ drowns out singing)
783
01:17:40.391 --> 01:17:42.308
♪ Amen ♪
784
01:17:51.280 --> 01:17:53.173
Let us affirm what we believe.
785
01:17:55.228 --> 01:17:57.190
(with the crowd) We believe in God,
786
01:17:57.190 --> 01:17:59.663
who has created and is creating,
787
01:18:00.500 --> 01:18:03.740
who has come in the truly human Jesus
788
01:18:03.740 --> 01:18:06.053
to reconcile and make new,
789
01:18:06.930 --> 01:18:10.433
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
790
01:18:11.530 --> 01:18:16.150
We trust God, who calls us to be the church,
791
01:18:16.150 --> 01:18:19.460
to celebrate life and its fullness,
792
01:18:19.460 --> 01:18:22.410
to love and serve others,
793
01:18:22.410 --> 01:18:24.963
to seek justice and resist evil,
794
01:18:25.860 --> 01:18:29.820
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
795
01:18:29.820 --> 01:18:32.420
our judge and our hope.
796
01:18:32.420 --> 01:18:35.040
In life, in death,
797
01:18:35.040 --> 01:18:37.300
in life beyond death,
798
01:18:37.300 --> 01:18:39.500
God is with us.
799
01:18:39.500 --> 01:18:41.620
We are not alone.
800
01:18:41.620 --> 01:18:43.083
Thanks be to God.
801
01:18:44.560 --> 01:18:45.460
You may be seated.
802
01:18:46.708 --> 01:18:49.375
(crowd sitting)
803
01:18:57.400 --> 01:18:58.763
The Lord be with you.
804
01:18:59.902 --> 01:19:01.080
(crowd in unison) And with your spirit.
805
01:19:01.080 --> 01:19:02.023
Let us pray.
806
01:19:06.310 --> 01:19:08.970
Thank you, our words easy on our lips
807
01:19:08.970 --> 01:19:10.633
this time of year, oh God.
808
01:19:11.640 --> 01:19:13.113
Thank you for the card.
809
01:19:14.070 --> 01:19:15.483
Thank you for the gift.
810
01:19:16.320 --> 01:19:20.143
Thank you for the meal, the party, the time off from work.
811
01:19:21.400 --> 01:19:24.190
We say thank you to members of our families
812
01:19:24.190 --> 01:19:29.190
to friends, to those with whom we work, to strangers.
813
01:19:31.060 --> 01:19:34.380
And now we pause to thank you for giving us life,
814
01:19:34.380 --> 01:19:38.330
and enriching life with faith and love and friends,
815
01:19:38.330 --> 01:19:41.880
and little boys and girls who smile or cry,
816
01:19:41.880 --> 01:19:44.433
and make us feel like hugging the whole world.
817
01:19:46.000 --> 01:19:49.400
Thank you for evergreen trees and red ribbons,
818
01:19:49.400 --> 01:19:52.593
for gifts unwrapped and the joy of anticipation.
819
01:19:53.720 --> 01:19:56.300
Thank you for young people growing up,
820
01:19:56.300 --> 01:20:00.403
changing, becoming men and women before our eyes.
821
01:20:01.810 --> 01:20:03.940
Thank you for quiet evenings at home,
822
01:20:03.940 --> 01:20:05.943
and for jolly holiday gatherings.
823
01:20:07.020 --> 01:20:09.450
Thank you for mature years,
824
01:20:09.450 --> 01:20:12.840
for reflections of the mind and heart,
825
01:20:12.840 --> 01:20:15.250
for memories and hopes,
826
01:20:15.250 --> 01:20:18.033
for chance encounters with unselfishness.
827
01:20:19.610 --> 01:20:23.940
Thank you for holy moments, for candlelight, and songs,
828
01:20:23.940 --> 01:20:26.563
and warm smells, and angels on the tree.
829
01:20:28.040 --> 01:20:30.750
And thank you, God, as we await the coming of the one
830
01:20:30.750 --> 01:20:34.120
who traced a path from Bethlehem to Calvary,
831
01:20:34.120 --> 01:20:36.733
and at Easter gave meaning to Advent.
832
01:20:38.730 --> 01:20:40.463
And so we say thank you,
833
01:20:42.430 --> 01:20:43.970
but we know, oh Holy God,
834
01:20:43.970 --> 01:20:46.143
that none of us here are shepherds.
835
01:20:47.300 --> 01:20:50.320
We are not professional wise men or women
836
01:20:50.320 --> 01:20:52.053
like the magi of old.
837
01:20:53.040 --> 01:20:55.123
And who of us is an innkeeper?
838
01:20:57.520 --> 01:21:01.240
Yet we do know that our waiting is almost over.
839
01:21:01.240 --> 01:21:04.483
That Christmas is about to overtake even us.
840
01:21:06.200 --> 01:21:08.860
How favored we are to be among those invited
841
01:21:08.860 --> 01:21:11.780
to Bethlehem's manger to celebrate the excitement
842
01:21:11.780 --> 01:21:13.810
of you, great God Almighty.
843
01:21:13.810 --> 01:21:16.623
Humbled and glorified as the newborn infant.
844
01:21:17.620 --> 01:21:22.620
The creator become a child to share our human experience,
845
01:21:22.760 --> 01:21:24.763
and so become our Savior.
846
01:21:27.700 --> 01:21:30.403
Yet Christmas, oh God, is different for us.
847
01:21:31.590 --> 01:21:34.193
Different because we have grown accustomed to it.
848
01:21:35.160 --> 01:21:37.890
And it's hard, sometimes, to find the Christ Child
849
01:21:37.890 --> 01:21:40.390
under the tissue paper and the red and green foil.
850
01:21:41.980 --> 01:21:44.460
The sounds of Santa's bells, and commercials,
851
01:21:44.460 --> 01:21:45.860
and the telephone drown out
852
01:21:45.860 --> 01:21:48.423
the chance of hearing choirs of angels.
853
01:21:50.100 --> 01:21:52.420
Shopping and parties and travel plans
854
01:21:52.420 --> 01:21:54.273
make us too tense for wonder.
855
01:21:56.160 --> 01:21:59.910
Do, thou, oh God, quieten and calm our lives,
856
01:21:59.910 --> 01:22:03.957
so that this year we may hear and understand the message
857
01:22:03.957 --> 01:22:05.617
"Peace on Earth.
858
01:22:05.617 --> 01:22:07.337
"Goodwill to all people."
859
01:22:09.010 --> 01:22:11.340
May we pause in our cooking and our decorating
860
01:22:11.340 --> 01:22:14.373
long enough to grasp what that message means.
861
01:22:15.360 --> 01:22:19.583
That you do love us, and call us to lives of love.
862
01:22:22.160 --> 01:22:23.870
We pray, oh God, that the message
863
01:22:23.870 --> 01:22:24.880
and the meaning of Christmas
864
01:22:24.880 --> 01:22:26.763
will dawn in our world this year.
865
01:22:28.040 --> 01:22:30.803
Hasten the release of the captives in Iran.
866
01:22:31.690 --> 01:22:34.520
Give stamina, courage, and wisdom to those
867
01:22:34.520 --> 01:22:37.410
who try to negotiate the demands and intentions
868
01:22:37.410 --> 01:22:38.763
of that situation.
869
01:22:39.990 --> 01:22:43.140
Bring sensibility and compassion to all rulers
870
01:22:43.140 --> 01:22:47.120
and forces that defy peace in Latin America,
871
01:22:47.120 --> 01:22:50.350
Southern Africa, in Northern Ireland,
872
01:22:50.350 --> 01:22:53.660
and all other places where political and economic tensions
873
01:22:53.660 --> 01:22:55.613
cause bloodshed and suffering.
874
01:22:57.200 --> 01:23:00.690
We pray for the new settlement in Zimbabwe, Rhodesia.
875
01:23:00.690 --> 01:23:03.530
That it may be lasting and an end to the suffering
876
01:23:03.530 --> 01:23:05.603
of those long-denied peace.
877
01:23:08.038 --> 01:23:10.390
And today, oh God, we remember with special longing
878
01:23:10.390 --> 01:23:14.640
all people who are hungry, who are held prisoner,
879
01:23:14.640 --> 01:23:17.873
all whose human and civil rights are denied.
880
01:23:19.170 --> 01:23:22.620
Brighten their hope, and instill in us determination
881
01:23:22.620 --> 01:23:26.003
to be bearers of the glad tidings of justice.
882
01:23:27.940 --> 01:23:29.850
We know that it is pointless to pray
883
01:23:29.850 --> 01:23:33.430
that hungry and lonely persons have a merry Christmas,
884
01:23:33.430 --> 01:23:36.620
unless we are willing to share what we have.
885
01:23:36.620 --> 01:23:40.963
Our food, our fellowship, and ourselves with them.
886
01:23:41.880 --> 01:23:44.810
We pray, therefore, for a new spirit of generosity
887
01:23:44.810 --> 01:23:49.180
and Christ-like service within the Church and all lands,
888
01:23:49.180 --> 01:23:52.480
for a growing love in this place,
889
01:23:52.480 --> 01:23:55.610
and for our personal willingness to be self-sacrificing
890
01:23:55.610 --> 01:23:58.823
that none shall be hungry, or cold, or friendless.
891
01:24:00.730 --> 01:24:04.800
We pray today for all the Ebenezer Scrooge's of this world,
892
01:24:04.800 --> 01:24:08.503
and for the exorcizing of the Scrooge in ourselves.
893
01:24:10.800 --> 01:24:13.220
And on this Sunday before Christmas, Mighty God,
894
01:24:13.220 --> 01:24:16.313
we pray for all who travel in this holiday season,
895
01:24:17.250 --> 01:24:20.283
for friends and families as they gather in good cheer.
896
01:24:21.460 --> 01:24:25.040
We pray for all who sing hymns to your glory,
897
01:24:25.040 --> 01:24:29.900
for every child who dons angel's wings or shepherd's gear,
898
01:24:29.900 --> 01:24:32.510
for every church school which decorates trees,
899
01:24:32.510 --> 01:24:35.643
and every minister who proclaims your Christmas word.
900
01:24:37.570 --> 01:24:40.033
We solicit your healing powers for the sick.
901
01:24:41.370 --> 01:24:44.253
Restore them to health and to their families.
902
01:24:45.560 --> 01:24:47.790
We remember, in prayerful respect,
903
01:24:47.790 --> 01:24:51.060
all those who fill our memories this Christmas.
904
01:24:51.060 --> 01:24:53.670
May those memories enrich our Christmas now
905
01:24:53.670 --> 01:24:55.353
and in Christmases to come.
906
01:24:57.310 --> 01:25:00.170
We remember, especially today, Mrs. Phillips,
907
01:25:00.170 --> 01:25:03.003
and the family and friends of Jay Phillips.
908
01:25:04.090 --> 01:25:07.333
Bring them your comfort in their time of grief.
909
01:25:10.780 --> 01:25:13.690
And now, oh God, we're never too big or too old
910
01:25:13.690 --> 01:25:18.690
to outgrow the excitement of unwrapping a gift.
911
01:25:20.300 --> 01:25:23.430
So let us now untie the strings we have used
912
01:25:23.430 --> 01:25:27.513
to bind our greatest gift, your love in Christ.
913
01:25:28.440 --> 01:25:31.873
As one family, we pray the family prayer.
914
01:25:33.264 --> 01:25:34.450
(with the crowd) Our father,
915
01:25:34.450 --> 01:25:36.170
who art in heaven,
916
01:25:36.170 --> 01:25:38.410
hallowed be Thy name.
917
01:25:38.410 --> 01:25:40.130
Thy kingdom come,
918
01:25:40.130 --> 01:25:41.700
Thy will be done,
919
01:25:41.700 --> 01:25:44.510
on Earth as it is in Heaven.
920
01:25:44.510 --> 01:25:47.420
Give us this day our daily bread,
921
01:25:47.420 --> 01:25:50.010
and forgive us our trespasses,
922
01:25:50.010 --> 01:25:53.850
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
923
01:25:53.850 --> 01:25:56.560
and lead us not into temptation,
924
01:25:56.560 --> 01:25:58.750
but deliver us from evil.
925
01:25:58.750 --> 01:26:03.750
For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever.
926
01:26:04.272 --> 01:26:05.105
Amen.
927
01:26:06.365 --> 01:26:08.782
(organ solo)
928
01:27:55.897 --> 01:28:00.397
♪ Glorious is Thy name, Almighty Lord ♪
929
01:28:06.792 --> 01:28:10.581
♪ Glorious is Thy name ♪
930
01:28:10.581 --> 01:28:14.590
♪ Is Thy name, oh Lord ♪
931
01:28:14.590 --> 01:28:17.462
♪ Glorious is Thy name ♪
932
01:28:17.462 --> 01:28:20.503
♪ Glorious is Thy name, Lord ♪
933
01:28:20.503 --> 01:28:25.170
♪ Glorious is Thy name, oh Lord. ♪
934
01:28:25.170 --> 01:28:28.954
♪ Glorious is Thy name, oh Lord. ♪
935
01:28:28.954 --> 01:28:33.954
♪ Glorious is Thy name, oh Lord. ♪
936
01:28:33.984 --> 01:28:38.984
♪ Glorious is Thy name, Almighty Lord. ♪
937
01:28:40.350 --> 01:28:45.316
♪ All the angels stand ♪
938
01:28:45.316 --> 01:28:47.122
♪ Stand ♪
939
01:28:47.122 --> 01:28:49.727
♪ Round about Thy throne ♪
940
01:28:49.727 --> 01:28:54.497
♪ All the angels stand ♪
941
01:28:54.497 --> 01:28:56.540
♪ Stand ♪
942
01:28:56.540 --> 01:29:01.540
♪ Round about Thy throne ♪
943
01:29:01.571 --> 01:29:05.305
♪ Let all nations ♪
944
01:29:05.305 --> 01:29:09.058
♪ Bow before Thee ♪
945
01:29:09.058 --> 01:29:12.245
♪ Bow before Thee ♪
946
01:29:12.245 --> 01:29:17.245
♪ Let all, let all nations bow before Thee ♪
947
01:29:18.554 --> 01:29:20.356
♪ Let all ♪
948
01:29:20.356 --> 01:29:25.356
♪ All the nations bow before Thee ♪
949
01:29:27.781 --> 01:29:29.756
♪ Let all ♪
950
01:29:29.756 --> 01:29:33.934
♪ Let all nations bow before Thee ♪
951
01:29:33.934 --> 01:29:35.932
♪ Let all ♪
952
01:29:35.932 --> 01:29:40.932
♪ All nations bow before Thee ♪
953
01:29:43.161 --> 01:29:48.161
♪ And declare Thy wond'rous works ♪
954
01:29:48.969 --> 01:29:53.219
♪ And declare Thy wondr'rous works ♪
955
01:29:59.985 --> 01:30:03.479
♪ We praise Thee ♪
956
01:30:03.479 --> 01:30:07.288
♪ We give thanks to Thee ♪
957
01:30:07.288 --> 01:30:10.883
♪ We adore Thee ♪
958
01:30:10.883 --> 01:30:15.883
♪ We glorify Thee ♪
959
01:30:16.657 --> 01:30:20.199
♪ Lord we adore Thee ♪
960
01:30:20.199 --> 01:30:22.723
♪ We bless Thee ♪
961
01:30:22.723 --> 01:30:27.089
♪ Lord, we thank Thee ♪
962
01:30:27.089 --> 01:30:31.262
♪ For Thy great glory ♪
963
01:30:31.262 --> 01:30:35.284
♪ Lord, we thank Thee ♪
964
01:30:35.284 --> 01:30:39.337
♪ For Thy great glory ♪
965
01:30:39.337 --> 01:30:43.277
♪ Lord, we thank Thee ♪
966
01:30:43.277 --> 01:30:47.500
♪ For Thy great glory ♪
967
01:30:47.500 --> 01:30:51.388
♪ Lord, we thank Thee ♪
968
01:30:51.388 --> 01:30:55.421
♪ For Thy great glory ♪
969
01:30:55.421 --> 01:30:59.485
♪ For Thy great glory ♪
970
01:30:59.485 --> 01:31:04.485
♪ For Thy great glory ♪
971
01:31:09.049 --> 01:31:14.049
♪ Heav'n is Thy throne and Earth is Thy footstool. ♪
972
01:31:16.183 --> 01:31:21.183
♪ Thou art King over all the world ♪
973
01:31:25.107 --> 01:31:28.917
♪ Glorious is Thy name ♪
974
01:31:28.917 --> 01:31:33.104
♪ Is Thy name, oh Lord ♪
975
01:31:33.104 --> 01:31:36.013
♪ Glorious is Thy name ♪
976
01:31:36.013 --> 01:31:41.013
♪ Blessing and honor be to God forever and ever ♪
977
01:31:43.944 --> 01:31:48.944
♪ Forever and ever more ♪
978
01:31:49.057 --> 01:31:53.978
♪ Forever and ever more ♪
979
01:31:53.978 --> 01:31:58.978
♪ Blessing and honor be to God forever and ever more ♪
980
01:32:01.076 --> 01:32:06.076
♪ Blessing and honor be to God forever and ever more ♪
981
01:32:07.486 --> 01:32:11.569
♪ Blessing forever and ever more ♪