Away in a Manger : A Richard Hillart Christmas Vespers

This audio CD provides an opportunity for the assembly to experience the Christmas Eve service.

Joining the choir and the instrumentalists in their favourite seasonal carols, the voices of adults alternate with those of children singing and rejoicing in the message of "Emmanuel" and "God-With-Us".

The recording follows each aspect of the Christmas Eve service, beginning with the Evening Prayer of Christmas, greeting Christ as the "Joyous Light of Glory".

The service continues with the Evening Psalm, and then the assembly listens to the Christmas Story from the Gospel according to Luke proclaimed by the choirs.

Children carry most of the narration from the Gospel as adults join in with stanzas of Christmas hymns loved by many generations.

The entire story of the Nativity is given, with the angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and Jesus all taking their parts.

Responding to the Good News of the Christmas Gospel (Luke 2:1-20), the assembly sings the Magnificat, the song of praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as recorded in Luke's Gospel.

The Litany, the Prayer for Peace, and the Lord's Pratyer lead to the quiet close of the Evening Prayer. The service concludes with the familiar carol "Joy to the World".

Other songs included are: "Service of the Light", Psalm 141, the Benedicamus, "O Come All 'Ye Faithful", "Away in a Manger", "The First Noel", "What Child is This", "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Little Town of Bethlehem".