Monday, December 3, 2012

Musical Advent Calendar - Day 3

Each day, from December 1 to December 25, I will post the text (and translation, if necessary) of an Advent- or Christmas-themed song, along with the URL for a YouTube video containing that song. (Select "Musical Advent Calendar" from the list of labels in the right sidebar to sort all of them out from the other posts on the blog.) You will note that each selection has a text, collectively representing the last 2000 years, and this is intentional. For the more familiar texts (such as popular Christmas carols), I have chosen a variety of interpretations and performers, from professional choirs to contemporary Christian worship leaders. I suggest that you follow the text as the music plays, and reflect on the words that proclaim the First Advent of our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

May our King, who promises to come again, reveal himself to you in a new way this Advent.


DECEMBER 3
Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying

Text was originally written in German by Philipp Nicolai (1599), translated into English and altered by Catherine Winkworth (1858).
Hymn Tune: "Wachet Auf" by Hans Sachs (1513), adapted by Nicolai, harmonized by J.S. Bach (c. 1730)
Choral arrangement by F. Melius Christiansen, performed by the Concordia Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVYdfCaY-do

Wake, awake, for night is flying,
The watchmen on the heights are crying:
"Awake, Jerusalem, at last!"

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