Emmanuel Comes

The Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2019

As the season of Advent draws to a close, we sing the final stanzas of one of the best known Advent hymns, "O come, O come Emmanuel." The stanzas of this hymn are drawn from the "O antiphons." These antiphons - short passages based on scripture - date from the 8th century and were designed to be sung with the Magnificat (the Song of Mary) at Vespers. You will notice in your hymnal that each stanza is labeled with a specific date in the Advent season, counting down to Christmas Eve. 

 The medieval mind loved a puzzle, and the original Latin hymn contains a fascinating hidden meaning. As explained in The Hymnal 1982 Companion:

 "The second word of each antiphon yields an acrostic: read in inverse order from the last to the first stanza, the words begin with the letters ERO CRAS, which is Latin for  "I shall be present tomorrow." If one antiphon is sung each day, the full text of the acrostic is revealed only on the day before Christmas Eve."

 The O antiphons contain numerous scriptural references to the promised Messiah who is coming into the world. These are preserved in the version found in hymnals today. This hymn provides a perfect ending to the Advent season as we prepare for the One who will "be present" among us at Christmas - Emmanuel, God with us.

 Hear a recording of a peaceful, meditative arrangement for classical guitar, played by the Rev. Rick Lord: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

 Music for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 22, 2019

 Hymns
68   Rejoice! Rejoice, believers (Llangloffan)
72   Hark! the glad sound! the Savior comes (Richmond)
56   O come, O come, Emmanuel (stanzas 7, 8) (Veni, veni, Emmanuel)
60   Creator of the stars of night (Conditor alme siderum)
436   Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates (Truro)

Service Music
Trisagion S-102     Alexander Archangelsky

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18   A Hymntune Psalter, Carl P. Daw, Jr. and Kevin R. Hackett

Sanctus S-130   Schubert/Proulx

Fraction Anthem S-169   Ray W. Urwin
Anthems
The Angel Gabriel     Basque carol, arr. Malcolm Archer
E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come     Paul Manz

 Organ Voluntaries
Reflections on "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come"     Paul Manz
Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying (Wachet auf)     Emma Lou Diemer

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