2019 [Lighting of the candles]

[Introduction] Mr. Sommerer

1. O Come, O Come, Immanuel

4 verses by James and Christa (french horn and piano)

2. Creator of the Stars of Night

4 verses by Emma (piano?)

3. It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

6ish verses by Adrianna and Aden (sax and piano)

4. What Child is This?

3 verses by Mya Vest (piano)

5. O Holy Night
1 verse by various brass players

6. Little Drummer Boy

3 verses Emma, Riley Brazda & Stan (piano and drums)

7. Where Shepherds Lately Knelt

4 verses by Rilee and Crista Grimpo (piano and flute)

8. Joy to the World

4 verses by various brass players

9. Silent Night
5 verses Christa and Adrianna (piano & saxophone)

Each song will look like this:

A. Mr. Sommerer talks about the song
B. Instrumentalists start song after cue from Mr. Sommerer
C. We sing the song
D. Bible reading related to the song by Mr. Kristalyn
[Where Shepherds Lately Knelt playing, music is scrolling][tab][x][x]
[Light Candles]

[Invocation] 1:00
We begin this chapel in the name of the Triune God. God the Father, who
sent his only begotten Son to earth to be conceived by the Holy Spirit and
born for us in a manger, that He might save us from our sin.

[Introduction]
There are a couple of things that I traditionally say to you before we begin.

These songs are taken from 4 hymnals and 3 song books and 1 Internet,
so some of the words might be different from the ones that you know. They
might be newer, they might be older, they might just be different. Don’t let
that be a reason not to sing. Just sing whatever words you like. That’s what
I do.

If you have perfect pitch, you might notice that the songs are not always
played in the key that they are shown in on the screen. I do that just to
annoy people with perfect pitch.

We normally don’t stand up for songs during this chapel, but I think we will
for some of the songs this year. I’ll let you know when we will be standing,
either by telling you ahead of time, or forgetting to tell you and just standing
up.

Last year Mrs. Troyer told me that, despite my best efforts, some of the
lyrics were too small to read from the top of the bleachers. So this year
we’re I’m trying something different. I worked with a couple of former
Lincoln Lutheran programming students to come up with a bigger way to
display music. You saw it on the screens as you came in. I think it will work,
but it could easily crash and burn too. It’s a little bit touchy, so I’ll be running
the display. I won’t be in front after this introduction. That’s really too bad,
because I really like listening to you sing from out here. In fact, I’m going to
set my phone here and record you.

Finally, remember that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing
loud for all to hear.

[Prayer]
Let’s pray and then we’ll get started. Would you fold your hands and bow
your heads and close your eyes and pray with me.

Heavenly Father, please use this chapel to help prepare our hearts for
Christmas when we celebrate your Son’s incarnation and birth. Let our
singing today be a reflection of the love for you that we have in our hearts.
Amen

1:02
1. O Come, O Come, Immanuel

Mr. Sommerer talks [x] marks next slide.

[x] Thank you for your help picking the songs for this year’s chapel. 156 of
you answered the survey that I sent out before Thanksgiving. I went with
your choices for 7 of the 9 songs. Of the 42 songs on the survey, [x] O
Come, O Come, Emmanuel was by far your favorite. This made Mr.
Kristalyn very happy. We sang this song for 10 years straight, but we
haven’t sung it for the last 4 years. It’s about time we sang it again. It was
also the favorite song of the Senior Class and of those of you who attend
Holy Savior Church.

This is the oldest song that we’re singing this year. Most of the songs
this year are less than 200 years old. This song is almost 2000 years
old. Christians have been singing it almost since there were Christians.
It is, you might say, traditional.

Many of the Christmas carols that we sing originally had more verses
than we are familiar with today. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel originally
had seven verses, but we won’t be singing them all today. Each of those
seven verses open by saluting Christ’s coming by using one of His many
titles from scripture. Each verse’s closing petition is based on that title as
well.

It was originally in Latin and sung as a Gregorian chant. We’re going to

try singing it a little more chant like than you might be used to. Don’t
worry, it will be easy. There are just a couple of things to remember.
Sing each phrase as one smooth section. So instead of singing like
this [choppy example] sing it more like this [smoother example]. We
will also hold each phrase out quite a bit longer than normal. Imagine
those whole notes at the end getting 7 beats. That happens each time you
see that little vertical bar.

Or, just imagine that you are singing this in flowing dark brown robes as
you walk through the catacombs, the underground tunnels, of ancient
Rome. That should be just about perfect. When we get to the refrain we’ll
sing it more like you’re used to. We’re going to sing 4 verses of O Come, O
Come, Emmanuel. Are you ready? Here we go…[click][space]

James and Christa play and we sing 4 verses

[tab][x]
Bible Reading

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel. [x]
1:08
2. Creator of the Stars of Night

Mr. Sommerer talks

This is the second of the two Advent hymns that we are singing. O Come,
O Come Emmanuel was the first. Mr. Heibel likes Advent hymns, and we’re
singing twice as many as normal. This is one of the times when I picked the
song instead of going with your choice, and I think I was wrong. You picked
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus. I really like that song, but I felt like it
had more of a “Last Sunday of the Church Year” feel to it, rather than an
Advent feel.

The season of Advent is about preparing for the coming of our Savior, but
it’s a little surprising how well a lot of Advent hymns work for the second
coming of our Savior too. But this realization only came to me yesterday,
and I already had Creator of the Stars of Night ready to go. Sorry about
that. This song might not be as familiar to you, so I’m going to ask Emma to
start playing it now and I’ll talk over it. Emma would you start it playing
now? We’ll join in in a bit. I just want everyone to hear what it sounds like.
This is a lovely advent hymn, and compared to O Come, O Come,
Emmanuel it’s pretty new. This one is only 1400 years old. But it’s not as
well known. In fact, it only appears in about 5% of all hymnals. This one
was originally a chant too, so we will be singing it like we did O Come, O
Come, Emmanuel. You did a lovely job on that one, by the way. We will be
singing 4 verses and we will stand for the last verse. The last verse is a
Doxological verse. That means it praises our Triune God, Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. There is also an amen at the end of the last verse. Don’t leave
me hangin’ on the amen. [click][space]

Emma continues playing and we join in when it comes around for 4

verses
[tab][x]
Bible Reading

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were
made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [x]
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The true light that
gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and
though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize
him. [x]
1:12
3. It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Mr. Sommerer talks

Some of you asked me if we would really sing this one or Here Comes
Santa Claus. I said that we would if people picked it. It turns out that this is
the Freshman Class’s favorite song on the list, and it turns out the teachers
dodn’t really like it much.

Some year we’re going to do a whole chapel where we sing secular

Christmas Carols and we will twist them into the true meaning of Christmas.
But this one isn’t that much a stretch if you know a few things. [x] But first
let’s talk about a couple of phrases might not be familiar to you. “the five
and ten” is the 1950’s equivalent of a Dollar Store. Everything cost a nickel
or a dime. And most of them had bowling alley’s in them and that is where
the “Silver Lanes Aglow” line comes from. No, I’m just kidding about that.
The silver lanes were just the aisles of the store.

So, why would we sing this in Chapel? Look at this next section. [x] You
don’t actually see many holly wreaths around anymore. We tend to use
evergreens now. The holly wreath, with its sharp, pointed leaves,
represents the crown of thorns worn by Christ on the cross, the little red
berries symbolizing drops of blood. The prettiest sight to see is going home
to the ones that you love and knowing that they know the true meaning of
Christmas. That they are preparing for the gift of their savior to enter the
world.

And this next part? [x] Traditionally, the bells you hear on Christmas are
the church bells ringing to announce the birth of Christ. You know the carol,
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day? Church bells are the bells that carol
and this carol are talking about. But this carol isn’t what will make those
bells ring. What will make them ring --what will announce the arrival of our
Savior-- “is the carol that you sing right within your heart.” The carols that
announce to the world that your Savior has come. This carol has 2 verses
then a strange middle section then 2 more verses then we repeat the last
verse. It’s probably going to be a little tricky, because our instrumentalists
just saw the music for the middle section for the first time. So we might be
doing that part a cappella. I plan on getting lost once or twice and then just
jumping back in when I can. I would encourage you to do the same. [x]
Adrianna and Aden play and we sing 6ish verses
[x]
Bible Reading

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was
of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused
wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [x]

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in
the inn. [x]
1:17
4. What Child is This?

Mr. Sommerer talks

I’d like to look a little closer at verse 2 of this one. [x] There are some
words here that are a little odd. A little old fashion. A little poetic. For
instance, [x] mean estate. When you first hear that you might think of
someone who isn’t very nice. But this is an older definition of the word.
Here it means low quality or inferior. And, of course, estate makes you think
of something actually nice, and here we’re talking about a stable. [x] A
stable with Ox and Ass (which is always fun to sing). Incidentally, Ass
comes from the latin [Aseenus] which is the subgenus to which Donkeys
belong. [x] “Good Christians fear” This is the fear from Proverbs 1:7 where
Solomen says, “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” A loving
reverence that includes submission to God. [x] “The Silent Word is
pleading” This is Jesus right? From John 1:1 [x] But this verse is just
starting to get interesting. We’re going to go right from Bethlehem to
Golgotha. From Jesus’ birth to His death in less than one stanza. [x]

William Dix, the writer of this hymn, liked his Christmas with just a little bit of
Lent thrown in. I think it’s cool. He wrote this when a nearly fatal illness
confined him to his bed for months. This stuff is pretty deep. I like carols
and hymns like this. Where there are layers of meaning that you can peel
away. [x] This was the 6th Grader’s favorite song on the list and it was also
the favorite of people who go to church at Christ. We will be singing 3
verses of this one. [click][space]

Mya West plays and we sing 3 verses

[tab][x]
Bible Reading

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were
sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people. [x] For unto you is born this day in
the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to
you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” [x]

1:22
5. O Holy Night

Mr. Sommerer talks

I used to think that we couldn’t sing this together as a group. I always

thought of it as more of a solo piece. But you’re proven me wrong for the
past 3 years. This is the favorite song of the 8th graders and also of those of
you who go to Trinity for church. Oddly, the Junior Class doesn’t like this
one as much as everyone else. There are three verses to this song, but the
first verse is the only one anyone ever sings, so that’s what we’re going to
do. Now, the secret to singing this song well is to just lay it all on the line
and sing it like it’s your solo. So don’t sing “O holy night...” Sing “O holy
night…” This is your chance to shine. Let’s stand for this one. You normally
stand when you sing a solo, right? [click][space]

Brass plays and we sing 1 verse

[tab][x]
Bible Reading (note phonetic spelling in brackets)

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying, Gloria in excélsis Deo Et in terra pax homínibus
bonae voluntátis. [Gloria een ex-chel-sees Dayoh. Eht enn terrah pahks
hoe-mee-nee-buhs boe-nay vole-uhn-tah-tees] that is: Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [x]
1:25
6. Little Drummer Boy

Mr. Sommerer talks

In the 15 years that we’ve done a Christmas Carol Chapel, we’ve only sang
this one other time. We sang it because it was Tice’s brother’s favorite
Christmas Carol. It is also the Sophomore class’s favorite and the favorite
of those of you who attend Messiah. It was written by a music teacher in
1940, so it’s pretty new. It was originally called the Carol of the Drums.

So the little kid in this song is a lot smarter than you might have been giving
him credit for. Think about what he does just a bit. He see’s that other
people are giving wonderful things to his Savior and King, and he wants to
give Jesus something too.

But he doesn’t give him the obvious thing, right? This is a poor kid, but he
does have something. He has a drum. He could have just given Jesus his
drum, right? He had that, and everyone else was giving Jesus things.

But he doesn’t. He keeps his drum. Instead he serves Jesus and those
around him with his playing. I hope you find a way to give a gift to your
savior and king this Christmas season. I hope you use your talents to serve
Him and those around you too. We will sing all three verses of this one.
[click][space]

Emma, Rilee & Stan play and we sing 3 verses

[tab][x]
Bible Reading
[x] [x] [x] as you will
Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is
he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and
are come to worship him. When they had heard the king, they departed;
and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came
and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they
rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the
house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and
worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented
unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. [x]
1:30
7 Where Shepherds Lately Knelt

Mr. Sommerer talks [play song]

This is the other one where I sort of cheated. There were more votes for I
Heard the Bells on Christmas Day and Once in Royal David’s City and I
Saw Three Ships. But I’m trying to make Where Shepherds Lately Knelt a
thing. So it was just the favorite of Mr. Sommerer.

This song was written by /Jar-slav Jay Vag-da/ Jaroslav J. Vajda. He was a
Lutheran Pastor. He died about 12 years ago. He wrote over 200 hymns,
but he didn’t write his first one until he was 49 years old. I’m 49 years old
for 2 more weeks, so maybe I can still write a Christmas carol too. Or
maybe you can.

I would be a little surprised if you sing THIS carol outside of this chapel, but
I’m sure you know some of the other hymns Jar-slav wrote. Your church
maybe sings “Now the Silence” on communion Sundays. Or maybe you’ve
heard the song “God of the Sparrow”. And I know you’ve heard “Go my
Children with My Blessing.” Your teachers sing it to you at the end of each
school year.

The lyrics here are amazing. [x] And I never tear up a little when I sing it, or
talk about it. So if I start to sound odd, I’ve probably got something in my
throat.

In verse 1, [x] Where Shepherds lately knelt is obviously at the manger,

now notice the third line, [x] “But there is room and welcome there for me.”
Ironic, right? Who wasn’t welcomed? Who wasn’t there room for in the Inn?
Well, there’s room and welcome at this manger for you.

It’s that third line on verse 2 that gets me, [x] “A still, small voice to cry one
day for me.” To cry out under the lash and on the cross for me. To plead for
me before His father’s throne in heaven. Bam, right in the feels.

Verse 3? [x] Remember that it was Isaiah who prophesied that this little
baby would be called the Prince of Peace. The whole of the old testament
is leading to this little child, and the prophet Isaiah represents that here.

Verse 4 pulls the old switcheroo on you. You think it’s talking about Jesus
death at the end of the first ling, [x] “how Love was born and burned.” But
it’s really talking about the Holy Spirit working faith in you and in me, [x]
“How love was born and burned it’s way into my heart.” “Unasked,
unforced, unearned” there’s a whole semester of theology in those three
words.

In all honesty, I hadn’t sung this hymn until 5 years ago. It’s in our hymnal,
but the tune is a little bit “ho hum”. The tune we’re going to sing it to was
written by my friend Joe. We’re going to sing all 4 verses. [click][space]

Rilee & Christa play and we sing 4 verses

[tab][x]
Bible Reading

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known
unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the
babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known
abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they
that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the
shepherds. [x]
1:35
8 Joy to the World

Mr. Sommerer talks

Joy to the World. There are a lot of interesting facts about this song, but, in
the interest of time, they will have to wait for another day. Joy to the World.
Stand up. Sing it like you mean it. We’ll do 4 verses. [click][space]

Brass plays and we sing 4 verses

[tab][x]
Bible Reading

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be

upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [x]
1:38
9 Silent Night

Mr. Sommerer talks

Are there some things that you can hear in other people’s voices? When
you read them or hear them, you hear that person. My Grandma’s been
with Jesus for 25 years now. But I can still hear her singing when I think
about Silent Night. She was 98 years old when she died, so I hear her
singing it in German. This was the favorite song of the 7th graders and the
staff and people who go to church at Redeemer.

We will continue our tradition of singing the second verse in Vietnamese

and then again in English, so we will be doing 4 verses in total. I
understand that there are some of you who don’t speak Vietnamese, so
there is a phonetic version for you to follow. But those of you who do speak
Vietnamese should definitely sing out so we know what to do.
[click][space]

Christa & Adrianna play and we sing 4 verses

[tab][x]
[x] slide to get the music playing.
[x]
Bible Reading

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Prayer: Mr. Sommerer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your gift of love for us. Thank you for showing that love in
sending your Son to us as a little baby. Send us also the Holy Spirit this
Christmas season. Open our hearts that we may receive your love and
show it to those around us.

In Jesus most holy and precious name we pray. Amen.

[send forth the acolyte]
[x]
1:43