Dayspring – Reading for 3 Voices
Here is an Advent/Christmas Eve reading for 3 voices based on Luke 1:67-79 (Zechariah’s Song). It weaves together two spoken voices with a sung refrain. The refrain is from the traditional Appalachian spiritual, “Bright Morning Stars.” The song has been recorded by many and the sheet music is readily available from a variety of sources. Here is one place to look: Amidon Music
It is a simple arrangement but rehearsal is advance will be important to get the pacing and timing right.
Note: I am grateful to scriptureecho.com for their creative resources that have inspired me.
Singer(s): “Bright morning stars are rising. Bright morning stars are rising. Bright morning stars are rising. Day is a’breaking in my soul.
Reader 1: Praise to the God of Israel and of all of us.
Reader 2: For you are rescuing us…
Reader 1: … rescuing us…
Reader 2: …you are rescuing us from our enemies…
Reader 1: …and removing our fear.
Reader 1: You are removing our fear.
Reader 2: Removing our fear.
Singer(s): “Bright morning stars are rising. Bright morning stars are rising. Bright morning stars are rising. Day is a’breaking in my soul.
Reader 1: John, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth…
Reader 2: …John was called a prophet of the Most High.
Reader 1: He prepared the way for the Christ-child.
Reader 2: He pointed the way…
Reader 1: … made the paths straight…
Reader 2: …filled valleys…
Reader 1: …levelled mountains…
Reader 2: …straightened crooked roads…
Reader 1: …and smoothed rough ways…
Reader 2: …smoothed rough ways.
Reader 1: Smoothed. Rough. Ways.
Reader 2: And gave us all the knowledge of salvation from our tender God.
Singer(s): “Bright morning stars are rising. Bright morning stars are rising. Bright morning stars are rising. Day is a’breaking in my soul.
Reader 1: Dayspring is rising.
Reader 2: Morningstar is rising.
Reader 1: The Christ-child is rising…
Reader 2: …to shine on those living in darkness…
Reader 1: …to shine on all of us.
Reader 2: All of us.
Reader 1: All of us.
Reader 2: All. Of. Us.
Reader 1: Dayspring is rising to shine on those living in darkness…
Reader 2: …and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Reader 1: To guide our feet.
Reader 2: Guide our feet into the way.
Reader 1: Guide our feet into the way of peace.
Reader 2: Dayspring is rising to shine on those living in darkness…
Reader 2: …and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Singer(s): “Bright morning stars are rising. Bright morning stars are rising. Bright morning stars are rising. Day is a’breaking in my soul.
© Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen, 2017
