A musicologist might scoff at our use of the term “carol”
for our assembly singing on Sunday. True carols have a rich history that did
not begin in the church. In fact, “carol” used to refer to secular music and implied
dancing. Most of the music we sing for
the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany arc would be better labeled “hymns.”
So, this Sunday our Advent service of lessons and
carols might be better termed “lessons and hymns,” but we’ll borrow Wikipedia’s
definition of “carol”:
A “Christmas carol” (or Advent carol for this Sunday) is a carol (song or hymn) whose
lyrics are on the theme of Christmas (or Advent!) and which is
traditionally sung on Christmas itself or during the surrounding holiday
season.
Whether you call them “carols” or “hymns” I hope you
will enjoy singing them and that they will deepen your sense of hope and
expectation in this season of Advent.
This year’s service is based on the “O Antiphons”
that are found in the favorite hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” The antiphons,
dating from about the 8th century, are tied to specific days leading
to Christmas. Around the twelfth century they were combined into a single hymn
which was translated by John Mason Neale to become the hymn we love today.
 |
| Late November Sunset in the North Carolina Mountains |
Opening Voluntary Comfort, Comfort Now My People
(Freu dich sehr)
setting,
Kenneth T. Kosche
Gathering Hymn Fling Wide the Door (Mach hoch die Tür)
Evangelical
Lutheran Worship 259
First
Carol
Hymn of the Day Comfort, Comfort Now My People (Freu dich sehr)
ELW
256
Second
Carol Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Jefferson)
ELW
254
Third
Carol Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (Es ist ein Ros)
ELW
272
Fourth
Carol Now the Heavens Start to Whisper (Suo Gân)
 |
| A Nativity Scene at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC |
Mary
Louise Bringle began writing hymns in 1999. Her work appears in the hymnals of
many denominations, including three texts in ELW. She is Professor of
Philosophy and Religious Studies at Brevard College (Brevard, NC) where she
also serves as chair of the Humanities division. A more extensive bio can be
found at https://www.giamusic.com/store/artists/mary-louise-bringle.
Now
the Heavens Start to Whisper pairs her text with the melody of a
traditional Welsh lullaby.
Fifth
Carol Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn (Rejoice, Rejoice)
ELW
242
The
sixth reading is also the lectionary-appointed gospel reading for the day.
Hymn
of the Day Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding (Merton)
ELW
246
Musical
Offering (sung by the Festival Choir) Magnificat
Ralph
Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Communion Hymns
The Angel Gabriel from
Heaven Came (Gabriel’s Message) ELW 265
O Come, Divine
Messiah (Venez Divin Messie)
The tune of this French carol dates at least to the
16 century.
 |
| Heinz Memorial Chapel in Pittsburgh, PA |
Sending Hymn Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (Haf trones lampa
färdig)
ELW
244
Closing Voluntary Picardy
setting, Kenneth T.
Kosche
ELW 490
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