Lessons and Carols, 2

I'm making my way to the international broadcast of the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols from the chapel of King's College, Cambridge. I miss planning worship services, and this is one way to get at that, even if it's only for my personal satisfaction, and to keep my skills (hopefully!) sharp. And, unbound by resources, time, and space, this is sort of a dream Lessons and Carols.

A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
From King's Study, Winfield

Second Lesson: Genesis 12:1-3

Carol: Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree 

author: unknown

composer: Elizabeth Poston

(Here is the poem sung so beautifully by the choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, in the above video)

Hymn:  O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?

text: Paul Gerhardt (1653) translated Catherine Winkworth, revised

tune: Wie soll ich dich empfangen (Johann Cruger, 17th century)

(I hoped to find the setting for choir and congregation that I know so well. But here is a fine recording of a German congregation singing the tune. English words are below the video.)

O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart's delight.
O kindle Lord most holy, your lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly all that may please you best.

Love caused your incarnation, love brought you down to me.
Your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling that led you to embrace
in love, all loves excelling, our lost and fallen race.

You come, O Lord, with gladness, in mercy and goodwill,
To bring an end to sadness and bid our fears be still.
In patient expectation we wait for that great day
When a renewed creation your glory shall display.

O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart's delight.
O kindle Lord most holy, your lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly all that may please you best.