A Festival of Lessons and Carols at St. Peter's by-the-Sea in Bay Shore

This Sunday marked the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and A Festival of Lessons and Carols honored this sacred day at St. Peter's by-the-Sea in Bay Shore. The alter, garnished with Christmas Trees lit in white, surrounded by a circle of bright red poinsettia, was the perfect backdrop for The Parish Choir who lead the festival with the opening prelude on "Veni Emmanuel", followed by the first prayer: 

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which the Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and forever. Amen.

There were nine lessons read by ordinary men and women. The First Lesson was Adam and Eve rebel Against God from Genesis 3:1 - 15, followed by The Second Lesson, The Prophet Foretells the Coming of the Saviour, Isaiah 9:2; 6-7. Seven more lessons were then read. Intertwined between Carols and Lessons were devotional prayers:

Beloved in Christ, in this season, let it be our care and delight to prepare ourselves to hear again the message of the Angels, and in heart and mind to go even into Bethlehem, to see the Babe lying in a manger.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came, his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; "All hail, said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary, most highly favored lady," Gloria! 

This glorious day of observance culminated with the Carol, O Come All Ye Faithful, sung by The Parish Choir and parishioners: 

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

come, and behold him, born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Amen. 

Merry Christmas!

Peace and Love,

Skylark