The Advent song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel as we know it today, is adapted from a fifteenth-century French melody, but may originate from as far back as possibly the 12th century. It first appeared in English as translated by John M. Neale in 1851. It’s a prayer by those who hoped that the Christ …
Tag: Advent
Advent is the season preceding Christmas Day. It's begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, called "Advent 1", with the following Sundays being called "Advent 2", "Advent 3", and "Advent 4". If Christmas Day falls on Sunday, December 25th, then Advent 1 is four weeks prior, on November 27th.
Churches observing traditional liturgy use the four Advent Sundays to contemplate different aspects of Christ's coming. The traditional meanings of the candles on an Advent wreath are Prophecy/hope (advent 1), Bethlehem/faith (Advent 2), Shepherd/joy (Advent 3), and Angel/peace (Advent 4). In addition, many Advent wreaths have a Christ candle in the center that's lit for Christmas, symbolizing the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning His (first) coming.
The more liturgical your church is, the stronger the possibility that their services will be more focused on making sure that music during Advent refers specifically to this anticipatory time of the Church calendar (this has also prompted rumors of the existence of a force called the "Advent police"). Churches that are not as insistent on maintaining the distinction between Advent and Christmas tend to rejoice with Christmas music all the way from Thanksgiving to Epiphany.
People Look East (BESANÇON) – Eight handbells
The anticipation of the Savior’s birth in Bethlehem and the joy it would bring is displayed in this Advent hymn. Our arrangement is lively and exciting, and we hope you’ll envision the celebration that occurred at the manger and in heaven as you play it! People, look east. The time is near / Of the …
Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing? (QUELLE EST CETTE ODEUR) – Eight handbells
QUELLE EST CETTE ODEUR AGREABLE (what is that fragrance?)is a pretty French carol describing the wonder of Christ’s coming to Earth – think of the wonderful scent of a special incense wafting through the air you’re breathing; it’s a representation of all the great and good things – especially salvation – that Jesus came to …
Still, Still, Still (AUSTRIAN CAROL) – Eight handbells
The Christmas lullaby Still, Still, Still us that the Christ Child sleeps, and that He sleeps under the watchful eyes of the angels of heaven. Still, still, still, One can hear the falling snow. For all is hushed, The world is sleeping, Holy Star its vigil keeping. Still, still, still, One can hear the falling …
We Three Kings (KINGS OF ORIENT) – Eight handbells
We Three Kings tells of special visitors on the first Epiphany. Well… in actuality the Bible doesn’t say precisely how many wise men visited the Christ Child in the Bethlehem manger. But it does record that they brought three special gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh – so that seems to hint that there might …
Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (HURON CAROL) – Eight handbells
This is the oldest known Canadian carol. Gitchi Manitou is Algonquian for “Great Spirit”, the Native American name for God, and the lyrics tell the Christmas story as it might have told been near the Great Lakes. ‘Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel …
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (PICARDY) – Eight handbells
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is an ancient Greek hymn that was translated to English by Gerard Moultrie in the nineteenth century. Its antiquity indicates that it was first sung as a chant (imagine how it would sound within the stone walls of a monastery!). This hymn tune, PICARDY, is the one most frequently …
Slumber Song of the Infant Jesus (GEVAERT) – Eight handbells
Slumber Song of the Infant Jesus is a gentle French Christmas carol. The lyric is simple, short, and sweet, yet profound in its contemplation of what it was like to behold the Christ Child in the manger. Lying amid the oxen mild, Sleep, sleep, sleep my Holy Child. Heavenly cherubim, hosts of seraphim Hover all …
Savior of the Nations, Come! (NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND) – Eight handbells
Advent is when we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ in human form. Savior of the Nations, Come is a plea for the Savior to descend from heaven to set our world to rights. Savior of the nations, come, Virgin’s Son, make here Your home! Marvel now, O heav’n and earth, That the Lord chose …
The Snow Lay on the Ground (VENITE ADOREMUS) – Eight handbells
English Christmas carols often are lively and sparkly, and The Snow Lay on the Ground is no exception. The pairing of “venite adoremus Dominum” with the end of the melody reminds us that worship should be both a reverent and joyous experience. The snow lay on the ground, the stars shone bright, When Christ our …
