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CANDLE IN THE DARKNESS An Overture to Christmas

Piedmont Community Church

December 5, 2020 and December 6, 2020

Stephen Main, Conductor Michael Barber, Video Maestro

ORDER OF THE PROGRAM Hosted by Stephen Main

A CAROL TO SING WITH THE ORCHESTRA

O Come, All Ye Faithful

CAROLS PERFORMED CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA

Christmas Lullaby Arranged by John Rutter. Performed by choir and orchestra 2014

Jesus Child

Arranged by John Rutter. Performed by choir and orchestra 2014

Holly and The Ivy Arranged by Stephen Main. Performed by virtual choir and solo harp. 2020 Premiere

Comfort and Joy

Arranged and performed by Stephen Main 2018

Ave, Ave! Arranged by Stephen Main. Performed by choir and orchestra 2014

Silent Night

Performed by Steve Main on small harp 2020

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O Come, All Ye Faithful Traditional English carol (choir and orchestra)

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.

Chorus O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

God of God, Light of Light, Lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb; Very God, begotten not created. Chorus Sing, choirs of angels, Sing in exultation; Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God, in the highest. Chorus Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing. Chorus

Christmas Lullaby Arranged by John Rutter. Performed by choir and orchestra 2014 Clear in the darkness a light shines in Bethlehem; angels are singing, their sound fills the air. Wise men have journeyed to greet their Messiah, but only a mother and baby lie there. Ave Maria, Ave Maria, hear the soft lullaby the angel host sing. Ave Maria, Ave Maria, Maiden and Mother of Jesus our King. Where are his courtiers and who are his people? Why does he bear neither sceptre nor crown? Shepherds his courtiers, the poor for his people, with peace as his sceptre and love for his crown. Ave Maria, Ave Maria, hear the soft lullaby the angel host sing…

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What though your treasures are not gold or incense? Lay them before him with hearts full of love. Praise to the Christ child and praise to his mother who born us a savior by grace from above! Ave Maria, Ave Maria, hear the soft lullaby the angel host sing…

Jesus Child Arranged by John Rutter. Performed by choir and orchestra 2014 Have you heard the story that they're telling 'bout Bethlehem, have you heard the story of the Jesus child? How he came from heaven and was born in a manger bed? Mary was his virgin mother pure and mild. Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters, worship the Jesus child and praise his mother mild. "Glory to God!" the angel hosts are singing: Listen to the story of the Jesus child. Have you heard the story of the poor humble shepherd men, sitting on the hillside with their flocks at night? Suddenly the angel tells them: "Hurry to Bethlehem; God and find the Jesus child, the world's new light." Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters... Have you hard the story of the kings from the orient, following the star that's shining over his head? Offering their precious gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense, kneeling with the ox and ass before his bed? Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters... Jesus child, lying at Bethlehem, sleeping safe at Mary's knee, save my soul and bring me to paradise, let me join the angels singing glory to thee. Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters... Brothers, let us celebrate the birth of the Jesus child, sisters, come and welcome him, the new-born King; Praise the Lord who sent him down from heaven at Christmas time; young and old and rich and poor, his praises sing. Sing alleluia, brothers, sing alleluia, sisters...

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Holly and The Ivy Arranged by Stephen Main. Performed by virtual choir and harp. 2020 Premiere The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly wears the crown. O the rising of the sun, the running of the deer, the playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir. The holly bears a blossom as white as any flower, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet Savior. O the rising of the sun... The holly bears a berry as red as any blood, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good. O the rising of the sun... The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas day in the morn. O the rising of the sun... The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall, and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all. O the rising of the sun.... –Traditional English

Comfort and Joy Arranged and performed by Stephen Main 2018 (Instrumental) Ave, Ave! Arranged by Stephen Main. Performed by choir and orchestra 2014 Gabriel is to thee sent from the Father omnipotent; Now is God within thee went when the angel, “Ave!” y-said. Ave, Ave! Ave fit ex Eva, Ave, Ave! Mater Domini. “Nowell, Nowell!” is the salutation Of the angel Gabriel. When the maydn herd of this, she was full sore abayschd i-wys, And thought that she had done amysse, propter peccata hominis.* (*for the sin of man)

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When the angel "Ave!" begane, flesh and blode together ranne; Mary bare both God and manne so men and angels now singen canne: Seith the Gospel of Syn John: God and manne is made but one in flesh and blode and body and bone all in a manger on Christmas morn. Moche joye to us was graunt and in erth is peace y-plante Now that borne is this faunte. Lady, graunt us then to see where thy Son's holy dwelling be; That we may then say of thee, “ecce ancilla Domini.”* (*“Behold the handmaiden of the Lord”) Silent Night Traditional German carol performed by Steve Main alone on solo Celtic harp 2020 (instrumental)

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