From Luther College in Decorah, Iowa Welcome to Christmas at Luther 2023 [Choir humming] [Memorable cello melody] [Oboe plays melody] [Orchestral introduction] [Sung in Latin] My soul magnifies the Lord.

And my spirit is rejoiced in God my savior.

My soul magnifies the Lord.

For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For behold, henceforth all gene rations shall call me blessed.

For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For behold, henceforth all gene rations shall call me blessed.

My soul magnifies the Lord.

For he who is mighty has done great things to me; And holy is his name.

My soul magnifies the Lord.

[Contemplative organ music] [Piano and cello introduction] Dark, dark midnight.

Beaming forth truth, light.

Dark, dark midnight.

Cold, cold winters night.

A spotless Rose is blowing, Sprung from a tender root, Of ancient seers foreshowing, Of Jesse promised fruit; Its fairest bud unfolds to light Amid the cold, cold winter, And in the dark midnight.

Dark, dark midnight.

Beaming forth truth, light.

Dark, dark midnight.

Cold, cold winters night.

Dark, dark midnight.

Cold, cold winters night.

The Rose which I am singing, whereof Isaiah said, Is from its sweet root springing in Mary, purest Maid; For through our Gods great love and might The Blessed Babe she bare u in a cold, cold winters night.

O Morning Star, how fair and bright!

[Sung in Latin] Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia!

Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia!

Queen of heaven, rejoice!

Alleluia!

For He whom you were worthy to bear, Alleluia Alleluia!

Has risen, as He said.

Alleluia!

Pray for us to God.

Alleluia!

Queen of heaven, rejoice!

Alleluia!

Alleluia!

To a song of joy He invites us today The hope and love of the Father in Heaven To a song of joy He invites us today The hope and love of the Father in Heaven To a song of joy He invites us today The hope and love of the Father in Heaven Emmanuel is born As Gabriel foretold To which Saint Daniel is witness Emmanuel is born; Holy, Holy To which Saint Daniel is witness; Holy, Holy Emmanuel is born; Holy, Holy To a song of joy Therefore, let us with Joy All at once in assembly Bless the Lord Bless the Lord with Joy Emmanuel is born; Joy, Joy Emmanuel!

[Piano introduction] She was his girl, he was her boyfriend.

Shed be his wife, and make him her husband.

A surprise on the way Any day, any day.

One healthy little giggling, dribbling baby boy.

The wise men came, three made their way, To shower him with love while he lay in the hay.

Shower him with love, love, love .

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Love, love was all around.

Not very much of his childhood was known.

Kept his mother, Mary, worried, always out on his own.

He met another Mary; called men by the sea.

Some less than reputable were known to be.

His heart was full of love, love, love .

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Love, love was all around.

When Jesus Chris was nailed to his tree, he said, “Oh, Daddy, oh.

I can see how it all soon will be.

I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene.

Instead I fear Ive spilled th blood of my children all around.

The blood of my children all around.” So, Im told, or so the story goes, The people he kne were less than golden-hearted, Gamblers and robbers, Drinkers and jokers All soul searchers, Like you and me.

Rumors insisted that he soon would be For his deviations taken into custody By the authorities less informed than he.

Drinkers and jokers, All soul searchers Searching for love, love, love .

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Love, love was all around.

Preparations were made for his celebration day.

He said, “Eat this bread and think of it as me.

Drink this wine and dream it will be The blood of my children all around .

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.” “Father up above, why in all this anger Do you fill me up with love?” Love, love, love .

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Love, love was all around.

Love, love was all around.

[Drumming and vocal clicking sounds] It was in Bethlehem, A little corner of Judea, That Mary had a baby boy At midnight in a stable.

He was the Son of God And he was the King of Kings.

Since I was a little child Ive known this story.

There were three wise kings Who followed a great star With gifts in their hands To come worship the child.

And they were quite amazed When they saw little Jesus Lying between a cow And a donkey.

Hear that, my friends!

Noel is a strange story indeed!

Jesus, Son of God, King of Kings Doesnt even have a cradle He sleeps on the straw among animals... Oh my!

[drumming and percussive vocal sounds] The called him Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God; The Everlasting Father, too And he was the Prince of Peace.

Both shepherds and wisemen Bowed down to worship him.

The gave him gifts According to what they had.

Back then, if wed been there (ta-maa-na) Wed have done something fitting (ta-ma-na) Wed have offered him music (ba-dap-peem) Of the best Haitian kind (chee-kee-chee).

Wed have brought drums Manniboulas, vaccins, maracas; With fine banjo strum Wed have charmed little Jesus.

Jesus, Jesus, our little Jesus, We love you greatly.

You bring peace to all people And you offer us grace.

Noel, Noel, Noel, long live Noel!

[Percussion feature, no lyrics] Make a joyful noise!

Make a joyful noise!

[Festive orchestra introduction] Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let ev'ry heart prepare him room and heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing and heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.

No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.

[orchestral interlude] He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.

And wonders, wonders of His love!

[Peaceful orchestral melody] Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Alle- alle- alle- alle- alleluia [Orchestral introduction] All praise to Thee, eternal God, Who, clothed in garb of flesh and blood, Dost take a manger for Thy throne, While world on world are Thine alone.

Alleluia, alleluia Thou comest in the darksome night To make us children of the light, To make us in the realms divine, Like Thine own angels, round Thee shine.

Alleluia, alleluia A little Child, Thou art our Guest That weary ones in Thee may rest; Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth That we may rise to heavn from earth.

Alleluia, alleluia!

Alleluia.

Amen.

[Triumphant and celebratory orchestra fanfare] Angels we have heard on high, Sweetly singing oer the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.

Shepherds, why this jubilee Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings b Which inspire your heavnly song Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

This rose red of color bright, Through whom joy began alight, All upon this Christmas night: Claro David germane Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

[orchestral theme grows stronger] See Him in a manger laid, Jesus, Lord of heavn and earth!

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, With us sing our Saviors birth!

In excelsis Deo, in excelsis Deo Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!