READINGS & CAROLS (RE)IMAGINED
December 19-21, 2025
Eventide, our single star,
One looking star, this night.
We look for You,
Forgiving light, our guide.
— Rebecca Gayle Howell
a seasonal reflection of the snow and winter, of the star and seeking, of the mother and service, of the child and sacrifice, and of hope and peace
Program:
Prelude: Organ Voluntaries
Procession: Good-will to men and peace on Earth by Dobrinka Tabakova
Exordium: In Principio by Motshwane Pege
I. Of the Snow & Winter
Reading: “Snow” by Philip Levine
Carol: Shepherd’s Carol by Bob Chilcott
Carol: Halcyon Days by Melissa Dunphy
Hymn: In the Bleak Midwinter
II. Of the Star & Seeking
Reading: “Why Not a Star” by Margaret Gooding
Carol: We look for you (from A Winter Breviary) by Reena Esmail
Carol: How Fair and Bright the Morning Star by Kile Smith
III. Of the Mother & Service
Reading: “If I Sleep While My Baby Sleeps” by Alice B. Fogel
Carol: Magnificat (from the Gloucester Service) by Herbert Howells
Carol: Antiphon for a Virgin by Tina Davidson
Hymn: What Child is this?
IV. Of the Child & Sacrifice
Reading: “White-Eyes” by Mary Oliver
Carol: A tender shoot by Kerensa Briggs
Carol: God would be born in thee by Judith Bingham
Hymn: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
V. Of Hope & Peace
Carol: sleeper’s prayer by David Lang
Carol: Littlemore Tractus by Arvo Pär
Hymn: O Come, All Ye Faithful
Postlude: Exodus by Alex Berko
with Matthew O’Sullivan, organ
Concert artwork: Christmas Delivery (ca. 1890-94) by José Frappa.