Saturday, December 16, 2017

Music and Meditation for the Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 17 | The Third Sunday of Advent

"Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying"

  • Words by Philipp Nicolai (1599), translated by Catherine Winkworth (1858)
  • Music by Hans Sachs (c. 1513); hymn tune is WACHET AUF
  • Performed by the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist on the album Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring: Christmas with the Dominican Sisters of Mary (2017 De Montfort Music, LLC and Sony Entertainment)




Text
Wake, awake, for night is flying
The watchmen on the heights are crying
Awake, Jerusalem at last
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past
The bridegroom comes, awake
Your lamps with gladness take
Alleluia! And for his majesty prepare
For you have come to meet him there

Zion hears the watchmen singing
And in her heart with joy is springing
She wakes, she rises from her gloom
For her Lord comes down all glorious
The strong in grace, in truth victorious
Her star is risen, her light is come
O come, you blessed one
Lord Jesus, Son of God
Alleluia! We go until the halls we see
Where thou hast bid us sup with thee

Now let all the heavens adore thee
And men and angels sing before thee
With harps and cymbals all are peal
Of one pearl each shining portal
Where dwelling with the choir immortal
And angels round thy dazzling glow
No eye has seen nor ear
Has yet been trained to hear
What joy is ours
When we rejoice and sing to thee
Our hymn of joy eternally

Readings

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever, Amen.

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent

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