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The First Christmas

Aled Jones visits the Holy Land to discover what life was like for Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men when Jesus was born two thousand years ago.

Aled Jones visits the Holy Land for a Christmas special to discover what life was like for Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men when Jesus was born two thousand years ago.

He introduces the Bat-Kol Girl's Choir from Tel Aviv, sings a beautiful festive song by John Rutter, and joins a congregation at Christ Church in Jerusalem's Old City for some classic carols.

35 minutes

Last on

Sun 20 Dec 2009 17:00

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Congregation, the Magnificat Institute Choir, Bethlehem Bible College Choir, Piano (Nizar Elkhater), Violin (Yuval Herz), Cello (Igor Tankevitch), Bass (Shaya Feldman), Flute (Jonathan Weiss), Clarinet (Gaddiel Dombrowner) & Horn (Ori Azran).

    Once In Royal David's City

    Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright Tune: Irby Music: H.J. Gauntlett (1805-76), harm A.H. Mann (1805-1929), Descant and Organ Words: Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95) altd. Arranger: Robert Ramskill part by David Willcocks (b.1919) SoP Hymn Book (#57)

  • Batkol, Oboe (Nir Gavrieli) & Piano (Nizar Elkhater),

    Batkol, Oboe (Nir Gavrieli) & Piano (Nizar Elkhater), - Star Child, Earth Child

    Conductor: Anat Morahg Music: Carlton ‘Sam’ Young Words: Shirley Murray Arranger: Paul Leddington Wright

  • Congregation, the Magnificat Institute Choir, Bethlehem Bible College Choir, Piano (Nizar Elkhater), Violin (Yuval Herz), Cello (Igor Tankevitch), Bass (Shaya Feldman), Flute (Jonathan Weiss), Clarinet (Gaddiel Dombrowner) & Horn (Ori Azran).

    It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

    Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright Tune: Noel Music: English Traditional Melody adpt. Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) Words: E.H. Sears (1810-76) Arranger: Paul Leddington Wright SoP Hymn Book (#48)

  • Jerusalem A Cappella Singers

    Silent Night

    Conductor: Judi Axelrod Music: F. X. Gruber (1787-1863) Words: Joseph Mohr (1972-1848) tr. Stopford A. Brooke (1832-1916) SoP Hymn Book (#59)

  • Congregation, the Magnificat Institute Choir , Bethlehem Bible College Choir, Piano (Nizar Elkhater), Violin (Yuval Herz), Cello (Igor Tankevitch), Bass (Shaya Feldman), Flute (Jonathan Weiss), Clarinet (Gaddiel Dombrowner) & Horn (Ori Azran).

    While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night

    Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright Tune: Winchester Old Music: Melody from Este’s Whole Book of Psalmes, 1952 Words: N. Tate (1652-1715) altd. Arranger: Ray Monk SoP Hymn Book (#65)

  • Congregation, the Magnificat Institute Choir, Bethlehem Bible College Choir, Piano (Nizar Elkhater), Violin (Yuval Herz), Cello (Igor Tankevitch), Bass (Shaya Feldman), Flute (Jonathan Weiss), Clarinet (Gaddiel Dombrowner) & Horn (Ori Azran).

    Born In The Night

    Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright Tune: Mary’s Child Music: Geoffrey Ainger (1925-) – cleared in this book via Stainer & Bell Ltd Words: Geoffrey Ainger (1925-) - cleared in this book via Stainer & Bell Ltd Arranger: Ray Monk Hymns & Psalms: A Methodist & Ecumenical Hymn Book

  • Aled Jones

    Candlelight Carol

    This track was specially remixed for Songs of Praise, but there is a version available

    • The Christmas Album.
    • Universal International.
  • Congregation, the Magnificat Institute Choir, Bethlehem Bible College Choir, Piano (Nizar Elkhater), Violin (Yuval Herz), Cello (Igor Tankevitch), Bass (Shaya Feldman), Flute (Jonathan Weiss), Clarinet (Gaddiel Dombrowner) & Horn (Ori Azran).

    O Little Town Of Bethlehem

    Conductor: Paul Leddington Wright Tune: Forest Green Music: English Traditional melody coll & arr. R Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), Words: Phillips Brooks (1835-93) altd. Arranger: Chris Hazell descant by Thomas Armstrong (1898-1994) SoP Hymn Book (#54)

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