350px-felix_mendelssohn_bartholdy_by_eduard_magnusMatthew 2:1-2; Numbers 24:17; Psalm 2:9

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, 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.

17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

“When Jesus, Our Lord” from Christus, Op. 97 (1846-47), composed by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-47)

F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Christus - Geburt Christi

Performed by Monteverdi Chor

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Christus, Op. 97, MWV A26: Part I: Geburt Christi

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When Jesus, Our Lord, from The New Church Anthem Book composed by Lionel Dakers. For SATB choir and keyboard. Mixed Voices. Sacred, Choral Collection. Paperback. 592 pages. Published by Oxford University Press

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International Music Score Library Project

Page from Urania : or a choice collection of Psalm-tunes, anthems, and hymns
Page from Urania : or a choice collection of Psalm-tunes, anthems, and hymns

Psalm 18:9-10 [Music text is a paraphrase of these verses]

He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

The Lord Descended From Above (published 1761), composed by James Lyon (1735-1794)

The Lord descended (1761), by James Lyon (1735--1794)

Performed by Quire Cleveland

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Choral Public Domain Library

 

Flag of the Areopagus of Eastern Continental G...
Flag of the Areopagus of Eastern Continental Greece (1821-1825), with symbols of faith, charity (love), and hope (First Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter 13). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 Corinthians 13:1-4,7-8,12-13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Though I speak with the tongues of men (1934), composed by Edward Bairstow (1874-1946)

"Though I speak with the tongues of men" (Bairstow) @ St. John's Detroit

Performed by St. John’s Detroit

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The New Church Anthem Book composed by Lionel Dakers. For SATB choir and keyboard. Mixed Voices. Sacred, Choral Collection. Paperback. 592 pages. Published by Oxford University Press (OU.9780193531093).

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William Billings
Cover of William Billings

Song of Solomon 2:1-5,7-8,10-11

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

I am the Rose of Sharon (from The Singing Master’s Assistant, first published in 1778), composed by William Billings (1746-1800)

I am the rose of Sharon (1778), by William Billings (1746--1800)

Performed by Quire Cleveland under Artistic Director Ross W. Duffin

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I am the rose of Sharon / Paul Hillier and His Majestie’s Clerkes / Early American Choral Music Vol. 1: Anthems and Fuging Tunes by William Billings / Harmonia Mundi

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I Am the Rose of Sharon composed by William Billings (1746-1800). Arranged by Richard C. Pisano. For Choral (SATB). Walton Choral. 16 pages. Walton Music #W2201. Published by Walton Music (HL.8500736).

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