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
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
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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