♪ Magnificat ♪ -♪ Magnificat ♪ -(dignified organ music) ♪ Magnificat ♪ ♪ Magnificat ♪ (organ music continues) ("Once in Royal David's City") (organ continues playing hymn) (organ continues playing hymn) (organ continues playing hymn) ♪ Once in Royal David's city ♪ ♪ Stood a lowly cattle shed ♪ ♪ Where a mother laid her baby ♪ ♪ In a manger for His bed ♪ ♪ Mary was that mother mild ♪ ♪ Jesus Christ her little child ♪ ♪ Jesus is our childhood pattern ♪ ♪ Day by day like us He grew ♪ ♪ He was little weak and helpless ♪ ♪ Tears and smiles like us He knew ♪ ♪ And He feeleth for our sadness ♪ ♪ And He shareth in our gladness ♪ (organ continues playing hymn) (organ continues playing hymn) ♪ And our eyes at last shall see Him ♪ ♪ Through His own redeeming love ♪ ♪ For that child so dear and gentle ♪ ♪ Is our Lord in Heaven above ♪ ♪ And He leads His children on ♪ ♪ To the place where He is gone ♪ (organ continues playing hymn) Please be seated.

Good evening, my name is Keith Thompson, and I have the joy of serving as Senior Pastor here at Canterbury, and I'm an 1983 alumnus of Birmingham-Southern College.

It is a true honor to welcome you to the 89th Annual Carol Service.

For many of us, "Lessons and Carols" is the doorway into Christmas, a moment when reflection meets anticipation, when familiar words and melodies steady us and draw us home.

As we enter the season, we continue a new chapter in our shared story.

We continue to gather together, even though things are different.

We gather without the steady presence and leadership of people and legends like Hugh Thomas, and Lester Siegel, and Jim Cook, and many others who have made this happen over and over again, giants like these who have shaped this tradition and shaped many of us.

And yet, what a gift it is to be led by the passionate, extraordinarily talented alumni of our beloved alma mater.

Their leadership is, in many ways, the highest tribute to those who taught us not only how to sing or play, but how to think deeply and live with awakened hearts.

They reminded us that the combination of a keen mind and a generous, open spirit can create a splendid life.

Like many of you, I find this service to be a balm, a moment of stillness, renewal, and reconnection.

Tonight we are held by something larger than ourselves, a tradition that has carried us, shaped us, and continues to call us forward.

I'll offer heartfelt gratitude to all who have poured their gifts into this evening, embodied the spirit of our watchword, "Forward ever," and doing so with such tremendous grace.

Thank you all for being here.

Your presence makes this an even more sacred moment in time.

May the music, and the readings, and the light of this season bring joy to your hearts as we celebrate together, welcome all.

(footsteps falling) (people clearing throats) ("Shout the Glad Tidings") ♪ Shout the glad tidings exultingly singing ♪ ♪ Jerusalem triumphs Messiah is King ♪ ♪ Zion the marvelous story be telling ♪ ♪ The Son of the Highest how lowly His birth ♪ ♪ Tell how He cometh from nation to nation ♪ ♪ The heart-cheering news let the Earth echo round ♪ ♪ How free to the faithful He offers salvation ♪ ♪ His people with joy everlasting are crowned ♪ ♪ Mortals your homage be gratefully bringing ♪ ♪ And sweet let the gladsome hosanna arise ♪ ♪ Ye angels the full hallelujah be singing ♪ ♪ One chorus resound through the Earth and the skies ♪ ♪ Shout the glad tidings ♪ (joyous organ music) ("A Hymn to the Virgin") (no audio) ♪ Of one that is so fair and bright ♪ ♪ Velut maris stella ♪ ♪ Brighter than the day is light ♪ ♪ Parens et puella ♪ ♪ I cry to thee ♪ ♪ Thou see to me ♪ ♪ Lady pray thy Son for me ♪ ♪ Tam pia ♪ ♪ That I may come to thee ♪ ♪ Maria ♪ ♪ All this world was forlorn ♪ ♪ Eva peccatrice ♪ ♪ 'Til our Lord was He born ♪ ♪ De te genetrice ♪ ♪ With ave it went away ♪ ♪ Darkest night and comes the day ♪ ♪ Salutis ♪ ♪ The well springeth out of thee ♪ ♪ Virtutis ♪ ♪ Lady flower of everything ♪ ♪ Rosa sine spina ♪ ♪ Thou bare Jesu Heaven's King ♪ ♪ Gratia divina ♪ ♪ Of all thou bearest the prize ♪ ♪ Lady ♪ ♪ Queen of paradise ♪ ♪ Electa ♪ ♪ Maid ♪ ♪ Mild mother ♪ ♪ Es Effecta ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ Effecta ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ("Now Let Us All Right Merry Be") (joyful organ music continues) ♪ Now let us all right merry be ♪ ♪ And with the shepherds go to see ♪ ♪ God's own dear Son within the stall ♪ -♪ His gift ♪ -♪ His gift ♪ ♪ Bestowed upon us all ♪ ♪ Mark well my heart ♪ ♪ Look well mine eyes ♪ ♪ Who is it in the manger lies ♪ ♪ What child is this so young and fair ♪ ♪ It is my Jesus lieth there ♪ ♪ Ah dearest Jesus be my guest ♪ ♪ Soft be the bed where thou wilt rest ♪ ♪ A little shrine within my heart ♪ ♪ That Thou and I may never part ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ Praise God above on His high throne ♪ ♪ Who giveth us His only Son ♪ ♪ The angel hosts rejoice in bliss ♪ ♪ To chant a glad New Year like this ♪ (no audio) (no audio) (no audio) ("The Oxen") (emotional oboe music) (emotional oboe music continues) ♪ Christmas Eve and 12 of the clock ♪ ♪ Now they are all on their knees ♪ ♪ An elder said as we sat in a flock ♪ ♪ By the embers in hearthside ease ♪ ♪ By the embers in hearthside ease ♪ (emotional oboe music) (emotional oboe music continues) ♪ We pictured the meek mild creatures where ♪ ♪ They dwelt in their strawy pen ♪ ♪ Nor did it occur to one of us there ♪ ♪ To doubt they were kneeling then ♪ ♪ To doubt they were kneeling then ♪ (emotional oboe music) ♪ So fair a fancy few would weave ♪ ♪ Few would weave in these years ♪ ♪ Yet I feel someone said ♪ ♪ On Christmas Eve ♪ ♪ If som5one said on Christmas Eve ♪ ♪ Come ♪ ♪ See the oxen kneel ♪ ♪ In the lonely barton by yonder coomb ♪ ♪ Our childhood used to know ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ I should go ♪ ♪ With him in the gloom ♪ ♪ Hoping it might be so ♪ ♪ Hoping it might be so ♪ ♪ Hoping it might be so ♪ (emotional oboe music) (emotional oboe music continues) (no audio) (pages rustling) ("God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen") (brisk organ music) ♪ God rest you merry gentlemen ♪ ♪ Let nothing you dismay ♪ ♪ Remember Christ our Savior ♪ ♪ Was born on Christmas Day ♪ ♪ To save us all from Satan's power ♪ ♪ When we were gone astray ♪ ♪ Oh tidings of comfort and joy ♪ ♪ Comfort and joy ♪ ♪ Oh tidings of comfort and joy ♪ ♪ From God our Heavenly Father ♪ ♪ A blessed angel came ♪ ♪ And unto certain shepherds ♪ ♪ Brought tidings of the same ♪ ♪ How that in Bethlehem was born ♪ ♪ The Son of God by name ♪ ♪ Oh tidings of comfort and joy ♪ ♪ Comfort and joy ♪ ♪ Oh tidings of comfort ♪ ♪ And ♪ ♪ Joy ♪ ("Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming") (subdued organ music) ♪ Lo how a Rose e'er blooming ♪ ♪ From tender stem ♪ ♪ Hath sprung ♪ ♪ Of Jesse's lineage coming ♪ ♪ As men of old ♪ ♪ Have sung ♪ ♪ It came a flower bright ♪ ♪ Amid the cold of winter ♪ ♪ When half-gone was the night ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ Isaiah 'twas foretold ♪ ♪ Isaiah was foretold it ♪ ♪ Was foretold it ♪ ♪ The Rose I have in mind ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ With Mary we behold it ♪ ♪ With Mary we behold it ♪ ♪ Behold ♪ ♪ The virgin mother kind ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ To God's holy and eternal ♪ ♪ To God's eternal ♪ ♪ She bore to men a Savior ♪ ♪ She bore to men a Savior ♪ ♪ She bore to men a Savior ♪ ♪ At midnight ♪ ♪ At midnight ♪ ♪ Midnight calm and seer ♪ ♪ This flower whose fragrance tender ♪ ♪ With sweetness fills the air ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ Dispels with glorious splendor ♪ ♪ The darkness everywhere ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ True man yet very God ♪ ♪ Very God ♪ ♪ From sin and death He saves us ♪ ♪ From sin and death ♪ ♪ And lightens ♪ ♪ Every load ♪ (subdued organ music) (subdued organ music continues) (organ music intensifies) ("Masters in This Hall") (organ continues playing hymn) ♪ Masters in this hall hear ye news today ♪ ♪ Brought from over seas and ever I you pray ♪ ♪ Going o'er the hills through the milk-white snow ♪ ♪ Heard I ewes bleat while the wind did blow ♪ ♪ Noel noel noel ♪ ♪ Noel sing we clear ♪ ♪ Holpen are all folk on Earth ♪ ♪ Born is God's Son so dear ♪ ♪ Noel noel noel ♪ -♪ Noel noel noel ♪ -♪ Noel sing we loud ♪ ♪ God today hath poor folk raised and cast a-down the proud ♪ (singers vocalizing) ♪ Shepherds many a one sat among the sheep ♪ ♪ No man spake a word then they had been asleep ♪ ♪ Quoth I fellows mine why this guise sit ye ♪ ♪ Making but dull cheer shepherds though ye be ♪ ♪ Noel noel noel ♪ ♪ Noel ♪ ♪ Holpen are all folk on Earth ♪ ♪ Born is God's Son so dear ♪ ♪ Noel noel noel ♪ ♪ Noel sing we loud ♪ ♪ God today hath poor folk raised and cast a-down the proud ♪ ♪ Quoth these fellows then to Bethlehem town we go ♪ ♪ To see a mighty Lord lie in manger low ♪ ♪ Therein did we see a sweet and goodly maid ♪ ♪ And a tiny babe upon the straw he laid ♪ ♪ Noel noel noel ♪ ♪ Noel sing we clear ♪ ♪ Holpen are all folk on Earth ♪ ♪ Born is God's Son so dear ♪ ♪ Noel noel noel ♪ ♪ Noel sing we loud ♪ ♪ God today hath poor folk raised and cast a-down the proud ♪ -♪ Ox and ass him know ♪ -♪ Noel noel noel ♪ -♪ Kneeling on their knee ♪ -♪ Noel noel ♪ -♪ Wondrous joy had I ♪ -♪ Noel noel ♪ -♪ This little babe to see ♪ -♪ Noel noel noel ♪ ♪ This is Christ the Lord masters be ye glad ♪ ♪ Christmas is come in and no folk should be sad ♪ ♪ Noel noel noel ♪ ♪ Noel sing we clear ♪ ♪ Holpen are all folk on Earth ♪ ♪ Born is God's Son so dear ♪ ♪ Noel noel noel ♪ ♪ Noel sing we loud ♪ ♪ God today hath poor folk raised and cast a-down the proud ♪ (no audio) ("Bethlehem Down") (organ continues playing hymn) ♪ When He is King ♪ ♪ We will give him the Kings' gifts ♪ ♪ Myrrh for its sweetness ♪ ♪ And gold for a crown ♪ ♪ Beautiful robes ♪ ♪ Said the young girl to Joseph ♪ ♪ Fair with her first-born ♪ ♪ On Bethlehem down ♪ ♪ Bethlehem down ♪ ♪ Is full of the starlight ♪ ♪ Winds for the spices ♪ ♪ And stars for the gold ♪ ♪ Mary for sleep ♪ ♪ And for lullaby music ♪ ♪ Songs of a shepherd ♪ ♪ By Bethlehem fold ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ Here He has peace ♪ ♪ And a short while for dreaming ♪ ♪ Close-huddled oxen ♪ ♪ To keep Him from cold ♪ ♪ Mary for love ♪ ♪ And for lullaby music ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ Songs of a shepherd ♪ ♪ By Bethlehem fold ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) (no audio) (people cough lightly) ("Nowell Sing We, Both All and Some") ♪ Noel sing we both all and some ♪ ♪ Now Rex pacificus is come ♪ ♪ Exortum est in love and lysse ♪ ♪ Now Christ His grace He gan us gysse ♪ ♪ And with His body has bought to bliss ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ (playful organ music continues) ♪ Noel sing we both all and some ♪ ♪ Now Rex pacificus is come ♪ ♪ De fructu ventris of Mary bright ♪ ♪ Both God and man in her alight ♪ ♪ Out of disease He did us dight ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ (organ continues playing hymn) ♪ Puer natus to us was sent ♪ ♪ Noel sing we ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ To bliss us bought fro bale us blent ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ And else to woe we had y-went ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ (organ continues playing hymn) ♪ Lux fulgebit with love and light ♪ ♪ Noel sing we ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ In Mary mild His pennon pight ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ In her took kind ♪ ♪ With manly might ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ (organ continues playing hymn) ♪ Noel sing we both all and some ♪ ♪ Now Rex pacificus is come ♪ ♪ Gloria Tibi ay and bliss ♪ ♪ Noel noel ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ ♪ Both all and some ♪ (no audio) ("Mary's Wonder") (gentle organ music) ♪ Slumber softly ♪ ♪ Slumber gently ♪ ♪ Slumber softly ♪ -♪ Slumber gently ♪ -♪ Rest now while I watch thee ♪ -♪ Angel voices now are singing ♪ -♪ Slumber ♪ -♪ Slumber ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ Gloria ♪ ♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ ♪ Slumber softly ♪ ♪ Slumber gently ♪ ♪ Slumber softly ♪ -♪ Slumber gently ♪ -♪ Rest while I watch thee ♪ -♪ Slumber ♪ -♪ Angel voices now are singing ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Slumber ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ -♪ In excelsis gloria ♪ -♪ Gloria ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) (no audio) (peaceful organ music) ("Silent Night") (peaceful organ music continues) (peaceful organ music continues) ♪ Silent night ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ All is calm ♪ ♪ All is bright ♪ ♪ Round yon virgin mother ♪ ♪ And child ♪ ♪ Holy Infant so tender ♪ ♪ And mild ♪ ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪ (singers continues vocalizing) ♪ Silent night ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ Shepherds quake ♪ ♪ At the sight ♪ ♪ Glories stream ♪ ♪ From heaven afar ♪ ♪ Heavenly hosts ♪ ♪ Sing Alleluia ♪ ♪ Christ the Savior is born ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) ♪ Christ the Savior is born ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) (singers continue vocalizing) We've been surrounded by blessing this night.

Receive this petition.

Gracious God, You've come to us in all humility.

You bring light to a dark world.

We need your light.

We lean into Your light in the music we've heard and sung, the word which has been spoken and heard, and the connections we have with each other and our beloved college.

Guide us now and sustain us in the days and nights ahead, and may the blessing of God, the creator, the sustainer, and the redeemer be among all of you, this night and forever, amen.

("O Holy Night") ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ Oh holy night the stars are brightly shining ♪ ♪ It is the night of our dear Savior's birth ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ Long lay the world in sin and error pining ♪ ♪ 'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices ♪ ♪ For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn ♪ ♪ Fall on your knees ♪ ♪ Oh hear the angel voices ♪ ♪ Oh night divine ♪ ♪ Oh night when Christ was born ♪ ♪ When Christ was born ♪ ♪ Oh night divine ♪ ♪ Oh night ♪ ♪ Oh night divine ♪ (organ continues playing hymn) ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ Truly He taught us to love one another ♪ ♪ His law is love and His gospel is peace ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother ♪ ♪ And in His name all oppression shall cease ♪ ♪ Holy night ♪ ♪ Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we ♪ ♪ Let all within us praise His holy name ♪ ♪ Fall on your knees ♪ ♪ Oh hear the angel voices ♪ ♪ Oh night divine ♪ ♪ Oh night when Christ was born ♪ ♪ When Christ was born ♪ ♪ Oh night divine ♪ ♪ Oh night ♪ ♪ Oh night divine ♪ ♪ Holy ♪ ♪ Night ♪ (singers continue vocalizing) -(papers rustling) -(footsteps falling) Greetings, when you experience the alumni choir's music, it is so much more than notes and texts.

The phrase, "No one has Christmas like we do," comes to light for everyone in this sanctuary.

Hugh Thomas made that statement once, in an alumni choir rehearsal, referring to his own lived experience.

On behalf of the choir, I wanna extend our heartfelt thanks for you to be joining us here tonight for this carol service.

I'm grateful and honored for this privilege to serve, to serve this choir, this community, the Birmingham-Southern community, and all of us, as we hold fast to what is good.

The remarkable talent with this group of leaders keeps the excellence of Birmingham-Southern College Alumni Choir strong and vibrant.

I want to recognize the leadership of Dr.

Thomas Head, and I want to recognize Richard Phillips, our organist, Dr.

James Bagwell, our permanent director.

(choir and audience laugh) -And I'm grateful- -(audience applauds) and I'm grateful for the commitment for each of you to come here and support us and to make this service possible with your presence.

The talent of this choir is unmatched.

Let us show our gratitude.

(audience applauds) (audience continues applauding) (audience continues applauding) We're not done yet, so I have to recognize someone else that has been very instrumental in running this thing smoothly tonight, -and that's my wife, Jennifer, -(audience laughs lightly) -Miss Birmingham-Southern.

-(audience laughs) And choir alumni, I see a lot of you tonight, come up and join us as we finish and close the program with "The Hallelujah Chorus."

Come on up at this next hymn and merry Christmas to all.

("Hallelujah Chorus") ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ -♪ For the Lord God ♪ -♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ -♪ Omnipotent reigneth ♪ -♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ -♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ -♪ For the Lord God ♪ -♪ Omnipotent reigneth ♪ -♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ -♪ Hallelujah ♪ -♪ Hallelujah ♪ -♪ Hallelujah ♪ -♪ Hallelujah ♪ -♪ For the Lord God ♪ -♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ -♪ Omnipotent reigneth ♪ -♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ -♪ Hallelujah ♪ -♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ The kingdom of this world ♪ ♪ Is become ♪ ♪ The kingdom of our Lord ♪ ♪ And of His Christ ♪ ♪ And of His Christ ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign ♪ -♪ Forever and ever ♪ -♪ And He shall reign ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ ♪ Forever and ever ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ -♪ King of kings ♪ -♪ Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ Forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ ♪ Forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ Forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ King of kings ♪ ♪ Forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ King of kings and Lord of lords ♪ ♪ And He shall reign ♪ -♪ Forever and ever ♪ -♪ And He shall reign ♪ ♪ And He shall reign ♪ -♪ Forever and ever ♪ -♪ He shall reign ♪ ♪ King of kings forever and ever ♪ ♪ And Lord of lords ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever ♪ ♪ Forever and ever ♪ ♪ King of kings and Lord of lords ♪ ♪ King of kings and Lord of lords ♪ ♪ And He shall reign forever and ever ♪ -♪ Forever and ever ♪ -♪ King of kings ♪ -♪ And Lord of lords ♪ -♪ Forever and ever ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ (audience applauds) (audience continues applauding) (audience cheers) (audience applauds) (no audio)